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Here are my 'expert' opinions:
The Toyota is a nicely finished machine with excellent build quality. If you are looking for a minivan alternative, it will do fine. But if you are looking for a TOW vehicle, it does not have enough power to consider it over the competition. Also, the 4.7L still uses a timing belt (not chain) like every other V8 in the class including the newer Toyo 5.7L. And they're very expensive compared to your other consideration. So you get to pay up front for that perceived quality.
If you want to stay Japanese, Matt is dead-on with the Armada. It has so much more torque than the Sequoia you'd think it was a semi. The earlier interiors were not finished in materials that were as pleasing as the Toyota, but they were high quality. Find a used 2008 with high miles. They had changed the brakes and other minor bits. The Armada doesn't get great mpg, but not much different than the Sequoia. You can get a 2008 Armada SE for $25K-30K.
I really don't know why people ***** about American trucks. It's what they do best. A Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon/Denali, Expedition, etc are all great tow rigs. I have so many friends that have them I can't count. Some have had perfect experiences. Several have well over 100K miles with no troubles. I had my 99 GMC Suburban until 127K miles and the worst thing that happened was an alternator wore out.
My wife has a 2005 Lincoln Navigator Elite. Every option you can think of. 305hp ZF 6 speed automatic. 8300 pound tow rating. Air suspension, independent rear. And we just turned 83K miles. Zero problems. Was a $65K vehicle new. You can pick one up for under $20K.
Why anyone would even consider paying $10K more for a Toyota Sequoia is beyond me.
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