Motoring review: Not too big, not too small, the right sized car does exist – and I've found it
It might be short on driving thrills – but that's to miss the point entirely
There's something oddly satisfying about discovering that the right-sized car really does exist – and this week, I found it. Not too big, not too small...just right.
After weeks ricocheting between extremes (a compact crossover that demanded Tetris-level packing skills and a Land Cruiser so vast it could host a wedding reception), this week's test car delivered something rare and glorious: a true sense of proportion. An estate. Yes, an actual estate that you can load just about anything you need without feeling like you're wrestling a giraffe into a hatchback.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
2 days ago
- Auto Blog
The Most Expensive Toyota In America Has Some Tough Competition
Here's what over $80k gets you from Toyota Toyota has built its reputation on producing affordable cars for the masses. The brand's models are perceived as affordable to buy and relatively cheap to run, and these facts alone continue to see the automaker sell millions of cars annually. But while the cheapest Toyota starts at under $23k, the brand also has several models getting closer and closer to the six-figure mark. Here, we'll take a closer look at the most expensive new Toyota you can buy and what it offers for the money. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 Full screen 10,000 miles in the best $100K sports car you can buy. Watch More The Sequoia Capstone Is The Most Expensive New Toyota Source: Toyota A few years ago, Toyota introduced a plush Capstone trim level for large models like the Tundra and Sequoia. These variants are packed with the best technologies and amenities the brand has to offer, so it's no surprise to find that the Toyota Sequoia Capstone is the brand's priciest new model. Starting at $83,915, the Capstone is the most expensive version of the brand's full-size SUV. Previously, Toyota's most expensive car was the Land Cruiser, but the all-new Land Cruiser for America is a smaller and much more affordable model than before. At its lofty price point, the Sequoia Capstone competes against higher-end versions of the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe, along with the Jeep Wagoneer. Let's see what the most expensive Toyota car gets you in 2025. Design: Presence Aplenty At 208.1 inches in length, 79.6 inches in width, and 74.5 inches in height, the most expensive Toyota SUV takes up a lot of space. Its size is further accentuated by the current generation's massive grille, tall hood, and muscular fenders. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The Capstone rides on 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels, the largest wheels in the lineup. It's also the only derivative with a chrome-accented mesh grille with a chrome surround, while the Sequoia and Capstone badges also have a unique finish. To help occupants get into this tall vehicle, power-deployable running boards are standard. These are some of the other standard exterior features: Premium LED headlights and daytime running lights LED fog lights and taillights Chrome-plated mirror caps and roof rails Single exhaust tip Power tilt/slide panoramic roof Overall, the Sequoia Capstone looks very much like the flagship Toyota SUV it is. Interior: Feature-Packed, But Limited Third-Row Space All Sequoias have a modern interior with plenty of storage space and large, chunky controls. The best materials are reserved for this Capstone model, which receives semi-aniline leather upholstery and Dark American walnut wood-grain inserts. Metal speaker grilles and backlit Capstone script on the dashboard are other smart touches. Second-row captain's chairs with a reclining function are standard, while the third row seats can be folded electrically. However, this new Sequoia isn't as spacious as many rivals; it only has up to 33.7 inches of legroom in the rearmost row, and cargo space behind the third row shrinks to as little as 11.5 cubic feet, depending on how the seats ahead of it are configured. The following interior features are standard: 10-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats Heated and ventilated rear seats Powered steering column Heated steering wheel Wireless smartphone charging Digital rearview mirror Three-zone automatic climate control 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and 14-inch touchscreen 14-speaker JBL sound system Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto 10-inch color head-up display Surround-view camera system The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite is standard on all Sequoias, with highlights like radar cruise control, pedestrian detection, and road sign assist. Performance: Swift Acceleration And Good Towing Capabilities Source: Toyota Like other Sequoias, the Capstone gets the same 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid with 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque combined. The electric motor alone contributes 48 hp and 184 lb-ft, and all Sequoias have a 10-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul driving modes. This V6 has been recalled for reliability issues before, but that recall excluded hybrid models like the Sequoia. In independent tests, the Sequoia has been timed reaching 60 mph in well under six seconds, so it's got lots of grunt for such a large vehicle. The Capstone can tow up to 9,280 lbs, slightly less than the maximum of 9,520 lbs on the base Sequoia SR5. In our review of the Sequoia Capstone, we found the ride quality to be disappointing and worse than lower-priced Sequoias, due to this model's larger 22-inch wheels. The body-on-frame structure and sold rear axle don't help, either. Four-wheel drive is standard on the Capstone, which is also available with rear air suspension for $1,045. Other Expensive Toyota Models If you are prepared to spend this much, there are a few other expensive Toyota cars priced just below the Sequoia Capstone. Toyota Tundra Capstone: $80,725 Source: Toyota This is the fanciest pickup Toyota makes, and it's priced close to the top Sequoia. The same 437-hp V6 hybrid is used here, but you can tow up to 10,340 lbs in the Tundra Capstone 4×4. It's similarly specified inside, too, but you obviously don't benefit from the Sequoia's extra seating capacity. Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition: $80,385 Source: Toyota This is the second priciest Sequoia, and it rides on slightly smaller 20-inch alloys. Drawing inspiration from the Lone Star state, the 1794 features real American walnut wood trim and unique leather upholstery. It only misses out on some of the tech features the Sequoia Capstone gets by default, such as the head-up display. Summary: Sequoia Capstone Is Good, But Not Good Enough Spending over $80k on a Toyota will be hard to justify for many, but the Sequoia Capstone backs up its high price with many advanced features, a powerful V6 hybrid, and a comfortable interior. It can also tow a lot and is a decent off-roader. Unfortunately, at over $80k, the Sequoia Capstone falls short in the comfort stakes, both in terms of its choppy ride quality and its lack of third-row space. These issues make it difficult to recommend, especially considering the many excellent rivals in this class, such as the Chevy Tahoe/Suburban and even German SUVs like the BMW X7. FAQs Which Toyota model is luxury-focused? If you want a true luxury car, we recommend getting a Lexus. However, the top trims of several Toyotas are quite luxurious, including the Sequoia Capstone and Tundra Capstone. What is the most expensive price of a new Toyota? At $83,915, the most expensive new Toyota model is the Sequoia Capstone. What is the highest class of Toyota? Toyota's priciest vehicles fall into the full-size SUV and full-size pickup segments, with the Sequoia and Tundra. The most expensive Toyota sedan is the Crown. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Toyota's New Land Cruiser Is a Tacoma Alternative We Never Expected
Ever dream of a Land Cruiser with more cargo space? Well, we've got some good and bad news for you. If you're an SUV-loving American, Toyota's been treating you pretty well killing off the Land Cruiser nameplate in America back in 2021, leaving only the J300 model to America in Lexus LX form, the esteemed Japanese automaker returned with a leaner, meaner, and more wallet-friendly version of the iconic off-roader. Then came the all-new 2025 Toyota 4Runner, a sixth-generation glow-up that basically checks every box fans could ask for. And yet, despite this new, richly appointed SUV smorgasbord, a subset of American drivers with specific job-related needs should still feel incredibly envious over Toyota's newly revealed Land Cruiser. The Toyota Land Cruiser Commercial is an all-new model designed specifically for business use. It's part of Toyota's Professional lineup and is aimed at tradespeople, fleet operators, and anyone needing a rugged utility vehicle that doesn't compromise capability or comfort. It's not just a Land Cruiser with aftermarket mods, but rather a long-wheel-base, five-door variant of the SUV factory-converted at Toyota's Burnaston plant in the UK to prioritize cargo space above all else. Though it looks like a typical Land Cruiser from the outside, its interior ditches the rear seats in favor of a flat, heavy-duty load space, complete with a heavy-duty floor tray. Steel panels also replace the rear side windows, while a full-height steel bulkhead separates passengers from gear. The result is a Land Cruiser with up to 71 cubic feet of cargo capacity, or more than double the 37.5 cubic feet found in the standard passenger version. Under the hood, it retains Toyota's proven 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and full-time all-wheel drive. Toyota's suite of off-road tech—including Crawl Control, Hill-start Assist, and Downhill Assist—remains intact. Compared to a compact pickup, the Land Cruiser Commercial offers better cabin insulation, enhanced cargo weather protection, and a more secure load area. In short, it's more cargo van or covered truck than SUV, but with all the off-road prowess and reliability Land Cruiser is known for. That makes it an enticing alternative for businesses that need to move gear over rough terrain without compromising interior comfort. Despite its utilitarian mission, the Land Cruiser Commercial isn't the stripped-down workhorse you might expect. It still includes heated and power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control—comforts more commonly associated with passenger SUVs than job site trucks. The power-operated tailgate includes a rear window that opens separately, making it easier to access cargo without having to swing open the entire door. Technology and convenience are also well accounted for. A nine-inch infotainment screen sits at the dashboard's center, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. USB-C ports, an electronic parking brake, and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror add to the car-like interior feel. On the safety front, the Land Cruiser Commercial comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems that includes Blind Spot Monitoring, Safe Exit Assist, and front and rear parking sensors. Even in its commercial guise, this vehicle treats drivers like humans instead of worker drones. The Land Cruiser Commercial will be available exclusively in the UK, and unfortunately, there is no current plan for a U.S. release. Orders open on August 1, 2025, with the first deliveries scheduled for September. Pricing has been set at £51,729.17 on the road (or ~$71,172), positioning the Land Cruiser Commercial competitively alongside well-equipped midsize pickups.
Libya Review
4 days ago
- Libya Review
UK Denies Embassy Convoy Was Targeted in Armed Attack in Libya
The British Embassy in Libya has denied reports claiming its diplomatic convoy was targeted in a robbery attempt in Tripoli. A diplomatic source clarified that while the convoy came under gunfire early Tuesday morning, there was no indication the attack was an attempted hijacking. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. as three embassy vehicles were returning from Mitiga Airport. Near the Qargji area, a white Toyota Land Cruiser, allegedly linked to an armed group under the Government of National Unity, obstructed one of the embassy's vehicles before intentionally ramming it. Shortly after the collision, gunmen in the Land Cruiser fired at the convoy, damaging two of the vehicles. However, no casualties were reported, and all embassy personnel reached safety. The British Embassy has since demanded clarification and accountability from Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba's government, urging a full investigation into the armed group's involvement. The embassy emphasized that the gunfire was not directly aimed at killing or injuring staff, but condemned the aggression as a serious threat to diplomatic safety. It also confirmed that no personnel were harmed in the attack. This latest security breach comes amid growing concerns over the proliferation of armed groups in Tripoli and their unchecked influence, especially at a time of heightened political instability and civilian protests across the capital. The British mission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a diplomatic presence in Libya while expecting greater protection and coordination from the host government. Tags: Armed AttackBritish Embassylibyatripoli
