Help me decide - Telluride vs. Sienna

[stavesacre03]

I heartily agree! We will have our LX within a week and it is a thoroughly thought out purchase. We are going from an older suburban with captain's chairs. We chose the 8 seat bench option so that our 3 littles could sit three across and lower the 3rd.row for cargo when we travel. That second row bench width is hard to match. I can sit comfortably in the third row. Can't beat it in the midsize suv class. I've had a minivan-boring. Had a suburban-huge+gas. Looking forward to this change.

Tara, thanks for your comments. I would also be interested in any updates after you have the Telluride for a while. You're coming from a large SUV just like us. Hopefully you love the Telluride, but if you have any regrets in downsizing I'd love to hear as well.

 

[aem]

We are in similar situation, four kids from 17 down to 7, one soon to leave home. We test drove both the Sienna and the Telluride, since we need AWD to access skiing all winter. There is no beating a minivan for comfort and cargo space on a long drive. And with snow tires on a Sienna, I don’t think you’d have anything to worry about with the snow. HOWEVER, when we drove the Sienna, I actually rode in the third row. That 100% killed it for us. It is like a dark cave, for second-class citizens. TINY windows, so high up even kids in boosters couldn’t see out, and only one USB?!? I’ve never been a fan of rooftop carriers, but I’ll learn to love them for road trips, since we opted for the Telluride. Seriously, ride around in that Sienna third row and feel what your kids would feel before making any decisions.

 

[anotherlostmonkey]

Lol, they are only between 5’9 to 6’1 but the fifth person have to use the third row (oh, we have captain chairs, I forgot) and it will kill the cargo space. Knee space in the third row is good (best in class) but the seats are for small kids or short people, not very comfortable for long trips. I remember the previous Sequoia have regular size seats on the third row.

I'd argue the third row is perfectly acceptable for long trips providing the 2nd row doesn't sit all the way back. I wrapped up a 2800 mile road trip recently with 6 adults. Everyone found the third row fine (heights ranging from 5'4" to 6'5"). The tallest at 6'5" was okay if he could occasionally stretch his legs in between the captain chairs. But like you said having the 3rd row up kills the cargo space. I mitigate it somewhat by having a roof cargo box and hitch basket when needed.

 

[2020Telly]

I’ve never been a fan of rooftop carriers, but I’ll learn to love them for road trips, since we opted for the Telluride.

I have a 15cuft turtle shell for the roof, but that isn't the best during the winter. So I also got a Stowaway Max Hitch Swingaway Cargo Box for an additional 16cuft. I also have AirLift helper bags in the struts and when I remove the cargo cover I have about 24 cuft behind the third row. My Sienna gave me over 33 cuft behind the third row and I still used the turtle shell. But with the hitch mount box I net 7 cuft with my Telluride. (40 vs 33)

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[G-972277]

If I have to do it all over again, i’d would strongly considered spending a little more for the new Sequoia. I really like the Telly but the small seats in the third row and the small cargo behind it are one big compromise for a family of more than 4. i didn’t even think of the previous Sequoia for 2 reasons, the thirsty v8 engine and the 10 yrs+ dated interior, but the new one took care of both.

What year Sequoia did you buy? We are thinking of switching from a Sienna to a Sequoia….

 

[Amati5]

still have the Telly and enjoying it. But now there is the Grand Highlander with much better third row seats…