Best Budget Overland Vehicle: Toyota Sequoia?
Many looking for the best budget overland vehicle simply overlook worthy options. Does it really need locking diffs?
YouTuber Jake Tiesler gives us an inside look as to why he believes the Sequoia is the best budget overland vehicle on the market. Yeah… The Sequoia.
I can hear you scoffing now. But hear him out. For just $3,200 this may not be such a bad option after all if you’re on a tight budget. And Tiesler actually makes some pretty good points.
The Case for Sequoia as the Best Budget Overland Vehicle
“I just got what I think is the best overlanding vehicle that you can get right now on the market,” starts Tiesler “I got a 2001 Toyota Sequoia 4WD. It’s got the million-mile V8. It’s got tons of space… In today’s video, I’m going to go over why I think it is absolutely hands-down The best value overland vehicle that you can get right now.”
For a lot of people, that’s not the Sequoia cedes Tiesler, primarily because it has two open diffs. But is it really that important? Will that keep you from being able to overland this vehicle?
“When you’re overlanding, most of the time, it’s about camping and driving, being self-contained over long, long distances…” shares Tiesler “Why does the Toyota Sequoia fall into that category?”
Tiesler believes the best case for the Sequoia as an overlander is its tried-and-true million-mile V8. This is the same engine in those legendary million-mile Tundras. So you can realistically expect the same reliability from a Sequoia.
Despite all the little things wrong with the vehicle, it has good bones. And according to Tiesler, reliability is king of all considerations when it comes to overlanding. You have to be able to make it back.
How It Compares to the Land Cruiser
The obvious choice for a Toyota overlanding vehicle has always been the Land Cruiser. But one thing the Sequoia has over the Land Cruiser is space… and lots of it. Tiesler shares that the available space is well more than his 2000 Land Cruiser. With seats down, you can fit an entire queen-sized air mattress in the back. Which to Tiesler is far better than a rooftop tent.
Price-wise, there’s no comparison. Tiesler bought for his Sequoia for a meager $3,200. Good luck finding anything with a Land Cruiser badge for that price. (p.s. I paid $3k for an ’87 that didn’t even run…)
Now when it comes to off-road capability, there’s also no comparison. It’s Land Cruiser hands-down. The Land Cruiser’s locking differentials make it far easier to get over obstacles. But, Tiesler argues you really don’t need that level of performance for most overlanding ventures.
“Generally speaking, when you’re overlanding you’re not trying to do Jeep trails and rock climb,” says Tiesler “You’re trying to cover long distances the best way, the most comfortable, with the most space, and be very reliable. And I think this vehicle covers everything.”
The Verdict
“I think, for $3000…” declares Tiesler “You’re not going to get a better value.”
Tiesler’s top reasons for crowning the Sequoia as the best budget overland vehicle include:
- Its 4WD system (which did great on the steep California hills)
- Available tow hitch
- The million-mile V8 reliability
- The loads of space
Honestly, That’s a pretty good list. If you simply want to break into overlanding without draining the bank, the Sequoia may very well be the best budget overland vehicle available. If you don’t plan on tackling the more difficult trails that is.