Should I upgrade my cold air intake?
Sure, upgrade it. That is, if you've got an extra $130 burning a hole in your pocket. Yes, the new upgrade would likely provide about an extra 2 hp. The extra horsepower will have nothing to do with where the new snorkel draws air from, as you've already figured out, as long as it gets it from outside the engine compartment it's all the same. The difference will be in the conical air filter that replaces the box filter. That is, unless you've already got a conical air filter as stock equipment. If that's the case you won't realize any power gain, just put a fresh Fram filter in there and you're set. Now, even if you did see the tiny gain that a new air intake can provide, the 2 ponies will be completely unnoticeable. Go with your gut, air intakes are stupid upgrades for kids that don't know any better or perfect for pros on race tracks looking to shed that extra .2 seconds off every lap.
I would say no. I upgraded my Sequoia to a KN intake system and didn't really notice any improvements. If I had it to do over, I would simply replace the filter and drill a couple of extra holes in my filter box for additional air flow.
the picture you showed is a picture of a vent and not an airtake. considering you dont know what an air intake is, you most likely have a stock air box. cold air intake do add some hp (2-10) but you also have to keep them clean and prevent them from sucking water in or else you can hydro lock your car since the air intake is closer to ground. most after market air intakes come with a cone shaped air intake, popular brand names are kn, injen, aem. why cold air intake works: it takes in colder air which is denser so more air can enter the chamber and more fuel be added (not signifcant amounts, your only looking at 2-10hp increase). the ecu will adjust for this automatically most of the time but one down fall is keeping the filter free of dirt and water and decrease in fuel economy.
