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Show Page E12 - C LASMlll.D MARKETPLACE, jf Sunday, March 2. 20(18 - t i -. I i. 1. i. .,,,. KM y V LA MX u JMSTRUCFiOM .REDUCTION SALE i; i JViLS L"3 Ha" U ft 8 n 1 na i at . ...... - a A a I' a t f r - v uak. i .act-,..- a jc i Sienna CE n per mo. New 08 Corolla Ic-cJS- r ,ease Per CE Lamry 4 Lb per Auto Transmission. 'New 08 mo. lease3 Auto Transmission. Manual Transmission A"' jrf'" I ?--- ; New 08 Camry "V ttmm - " n. li;ii5ziJ Ni .y y ft 'J! II I if ' i E,... -- v - New08Tundra ; ! See dealer for details. No security deposit required. Expires 3308. (DTooIbox otter limited to first 200 customers. Suggested retail value: $69.00. (2)0 APR up to 60 months with approved credit on select vehicles. (3)$25,744 MSRP. $14,404 residuul. Lease of $259 per month for 36 months, $2,999 due at signing, on approved credit. Plus tax, title, and license fees. (4)$21,934 MSRP. $ 12,856 residual Lease of $189 per month for 36 months, $1,999 due at signing, on approved credit 5.59 f. Plus tax, title, and license fees. (5)$15,855 MSRP. $8,204 residual. Lease of $179 per month for 36 months, $999 due at signing, on approved crediL Plus tax, title, and license fees. (6)$0 down for 60 months APR. mm i r.i m it p'wl By Frank S. Washington Motor News Media Corporation CARY, N.C., Today's full-siz- e market is a tough sport-utilit- y world. Sales fall as gasoline prices rise and most manufactures hope the drop has bottomed out. But with the price of a barrel of oil within range of $100, higher prices at the pump seem all but inevitable. Into this cauldron of economic trouble, Toyota launched its full-siz- e 2008 Sequoia The bottom line on the Toyota Sequoia is that it is as big as Toyota's Land Cruiser but not as pricey. The Sequoia is slightly larger than the model it replaces and it was bulked up under the hood but it was also more refined during our brief test drive. The 2008 Sequoia now comes in three models: the SR5, the Limited and the Platinum. Our test vehicle was the platinum model. For those not in the know, a full-siz- e sport utility has three rows of seats and can accommodate up to eight passengers depending on vs!1 pv rv " the configuration of the second and third rows. Our top of the line test vehicle V8 was powered by a 5.7-litthat made 381 horsepower and 401 pounds-fee- t of torque. It was automatic mated to a transmission. This powertrain is quiet, powerful and responsive. 276 horsepower A 4.7-litV8 that makes 314 pounds-feof toque is also available. It had automatic transmisa five-spesion. .The interior was top notch. The Sequoia has all the bells and whistles. The obligatory moon roof, navigation system and premium audio system that featured satellite radio were a part of the package. But our test vehicle also had Bluetooth that turned our cell phone into a hands free car phone. h And it had alloy wheels. The second row seats were also heated. The second row seats are spacious, leg room is ample and head room is no problem. The front scats are spacious, they provided - f f 'jLL ! I 2a cftJl p-- r"i nr'n rrmt plenty of lumbar support and hip space. At times, it feels like sitting in a large living room chair. The Sequoia's Star Safety system includes ABS, traction control and brake assist. Still, all that would mean nothing unless the Sequoia rode the roads relatively smoothly and that it does. Bigger tires and a revamped suspension give the Sequoia a very comfortable ride and excellent handling characteristics. That is saying something since the Sequoia is based on the Tundra, Toyota's full-siz- e pickup truck. Toyota has improved the Sequoia suspension by giving it a double wishbone set up in the front. The rear set up is now an independent double wish bone set up. It is the first application of an independent rear suspension on a Toyota SUV The Sequoia's towing capacity was boosted from 6,500 lbs. for the old model to 10,000 lbs. for the 2008 model. It comes in either foioVwheel drive or two- heel drive configuration. The V8 has an EPA fuel rat- - Visa rwv n fsm i cs?vS1 m I if It. V ing of 14 mpg in the city and mpg on the highway for the model. Power to four wheels brings mpg down one mile in the city and on highway. 19 all by the The Sequoia was the first Toyota SUV that was designed and built in the U.S. Toyota continues to slant the Sequoia's characteristics toward American needs and tastes. Thus, it was a first rate people hauler. Now, it has the oomph to tow the heavy stuff. Frank S. Washington can be reached at frankaboutthatcar. com. Or, snail mail him at PO Box 23167, Detroit, Mich., 48223. j |