New 2007 Toyota Sequoia Safety Review [ 2009 , 2008 ]
Toyota Sequoia Safety Review
Safety - NA
The 2007 Toyota Sequoia offers a "long list of safety items," according to MSN. The Sequoia comes standard with features that are often options on other vehicles, such as anti-lock disc brakes and anti-skid and traction control systems.
Accident Avoidance
The 2007 Sequoia comes standard with several driver assist technologies included as part of its Star Safety System. "One welcome feature is a skid-control system, like those that had hitherto come mostly on expensive cars," says the New York Times. "If sensors detect a loss of control, as when a turn is made too sharply, the system automatically applies an individual brake to bring the truck back in line." Traction control is also standard on both the 2WD and 4WD models, prompting MSN to conclude, "Toyota has done a lot to give the Sequoia good stability during regular driving." Also standard are anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist, and Vehicle Stability Control.
The only major safety flaw that reviewers mention is a lack of visibility. ThePittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, "It is difficult to see out of the back window because of the height and size of the vehicle. Cars and trucks behind you tend to disappear, so you have to take extra care when backing up and when parking." However, of the SUV's large dimensions, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution concludes that a "not-be-be-overlooked feature of the Sequoia is the safety factor. No one's likely to say they didn't see you."
Crash Protection
In the event that a crash does occur, passengers are protected. In fact, the Sequoia is so well-equipped that the only safety-related option on the SR5 or Limited is daytime running lights. For 2007, the Sequoia gets standard driver and front passenger seat-mounted side air bags and front-and second-row roll-sensing side curtain air bags with cutoff switch. Also standard are three-point seat belts in all seating positions, driver front air bag and front passenger with Advanced Airbag System, side-impact door beams and a front energy-absorbing crumple zone. Again enhancing the Sequoia's kid-friendliness, all second- and third-row seating positions include the ISO-FIX Child Restraint System (CRS) anchors and tether anchors.
The 2007 model has not yet been subject to government crash tests. The most recent year tested, the 2004 model, received perfect five-star frontal safety ratings for both passenger and driver. Side crash tests have not been performed. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not tested the Sequoia for any model year.
