Factory Power Runner - Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008

Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008: Factory Power Runner

By Editors of Truck Trend

Winner: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
Runner-Up: Porsche Cayenne Turbo

There's no question that German manufacturers have a long head start in this category, and traditionally, American truck makers competed here by throwing a big V8 in a little truck. Things have changed--nowadays they can offer the whole package. That's exactly what makes the Grand Cherokee SRT8 such a special example. If there's a more balanced and thoughtful execution of monster power and sticky tire grip, we haven't seen it--all for about half the price of the high-dollar German players. That it comes from a brand that's about slow-go all-terrain crawling, makes its existence more special. However, if money was no object, Porsche's twin-turbo (maybe not a surprise to many) does the best job of weaving power output with chassis control and response.

Factory Power Runners
Vehicle	BMW X5 AWD	Cadillac Escalade AWD	Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS AWD
Base price	$55,275	$58,330	$34,090
Wheelbase, in	115.5	116	113
Engine	4.8L DOHC V-8	6.2L OHV V-8	6.0L OHV V-8
Transmission	6-speed auto	6-speed auto	4-speed auto
0-60 mph, sec	6.4	6.5	5.6
Horsepower, SAE	350	403	395
Torque, SAE	350	417	400
Airbags	Dual, head, side	Dual, head	Dual, side
Brakes, f/r	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL
Tires	275/40R20 F; 315/35R20 R	265/65R18	255/50R20
Fuel cap, gal	22.5	26	22
Fuel econ, city/hwy	14/19	12/18	12/16
Max pass	7	7	5
Curb weight, lb	5335	5665	4550
GVWR, lb	6527	6700	6000
Payload, lb	1150	1100	1450
Towing, lb	6000	8000	6600
Vehicle	GMC Sierra Denali AWD	Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 AWD	Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG 4WD
Base price	$42,325	$41,420	$87,425
Wheelbase, in	143.5	109.5	114.7
Engine	6.2L OHV V-8	6.1L OHV V-8	6.3L DOHC V-8
Transmission	6-speed auto	5-speed auto	7-speed auto
0-60 mph, sec	6.2	4.8	4.5
Horsepower, SAE	403	420	503
Torque, SAE	417	420	465
Airbags	Dual, head	Dual, head, side	Dual, head, side
Brakes, f/r	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL AMG
Tires	275/55R20	255/45R20 F; 285/40R20 R	295/40ZR20
Fuel cap, gal	26	20.8	25.1
Fuel econ, city/hwy	12/18	11/14	11/14
Max pass	5	5	5
Curb weight, lb	5383	4819	5093
GVWR, lb	6800	6000	6000
Payload, lb	1500	1150	1000
Towing, lb	8600	3500	7000
Vehicle	Porsche Cayenne Turbo 4WD	Range Rover Sport S/C 4WD	Saab 9-7x Aero AWD
Base price	$94,595	$71,950	$41,935
Wheelbase, in	112.4	108	113
Engine	4.8L DOHC TT V-8	4.2L SOHC SC V-8	6.0L OHV V-8
Transmission	6-spd auto	6-speed auto	4-speed auto
0-60 mph, sec	4.9	6.7	6
Horsepower, SAE	500	390	390
Torque, SAE	516	410	400
Airbags	Dual, head, side	Dual, head, side	Dual, head
Brakes, f/r	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL
Tires	275/45R20	275/40R20	225/50R20
Fuel cap, gal	26.4	23.2	22
Fuel econ, city/hwy	12/19	12/18	12/16
Max pass	5	5	5
Curb weight, lb	5192	5500	4950
GVWR, lb	6500	6800	6000
Payload, lb	1300	1100	1300
Towing, lb	7000	7718	6500
Vehicle	Toyota Tacoma Access Cab X-Runner 2WD
Base price	$24,730
Wheelbase, in	127.2
Engine	4.0L DOHC V-6
Transmission	6-speed man
0-60 mph, sec	6.1
Horsepower, SAE	236
Torque, SAE	266
Airbags	Dual
Brakes, f/r	Disc/drum, 4WAL
Tires	255/45R18
Fuel cap, gal	21
Fuel econ, city/hwy	16/20
Max pass	4
Curb weight, lb	3735
GVWR, lb	4600
Payload, lb	910
Towing, lb	5000

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Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008

It's that time of year again. We've collected the vital information on every pickup, sport/utility vehicle, crossover, and minivan and put all the data into charts for you to sift through. Every Full-Size, Compact, Pickup, SUV, Minivan, and More!