Compared to the Chevy Tahoe, the new Sequoia is longer and wider with a longer wheelbase. It’s actually designed to look tall and oversized, so as to project strength from a distance.

The windshield angle is lower than before, accentuating bulk below the hood line, and larger high-mounted headlamps add an alert look to a cabin-forward design. Exterior mirrors are large, because they have to be, but careful smoothing has reduced wind noise, as does the use of partially hidden wipers that likewise, must be very large to sweep the large front windshield. The new design permits a drag coefficient of 0.35, respectable for a full-size truck.

From the side, large, strong-looking door handles are apparent, the kind you’d appreciate if you wear gloves. The rear doors now open 10 degrees wider for easier child seat and passenger access and have three detents, instead of two.

From the front bumper to the B-pillar, the Sequoia shares a lot of design features with the Tundrapickup, along with numerous drive train components.

Parking sensors enable easier parking and the ability to avoid people or toys lurking in the driveway.

The Toyota Sequoia cabin is built for passenger comfort, with generous legroom and headroom. Seating is designed for long days of driving, with a comfortable, unusually wide driver’s seat with power lumbar support. The seats have soft, wide bolsters and the kind of adjustability that allows a driver to shift around during long drives.

The interior is conspicuously wide. With a body longer and wider than the previous model (or a current Chevrolet Tahoe), more legroom and shoulder room becomes available for people and cargo.

The dash is simple and focused, with two central gauges, speedometer and tachometer, flanked by fuel, temperature and voltage gauges. Bright rings accent the instrumentation.

A very large rectangular shifter dominates the metallic center strip area, and behind it is a wide central console designed to hold 12 CDs or four DVD cases. Our test unit had an agreeable Sand Beige interior. Gray is another standard color, and a new interior design scheme, Red Rock/Black is only available with the Platinum grade.

The four-spoke steering wheel contains controls for AC, Bluetooth-capable phones and audio functions. The steering column tilts and telescopes; our test unit had a powered memory feature.

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