Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008: Full-Size SUVBy Editors of Truck Trend
Winner: Toyota Sequoia
Runner-Up: Chevrolet Suburban 2500
Toyota has a winning formula right now: take every competitor's measurements in the segment and make a vehicle that beats it in each category. The new-and-improved Sequoia is as big as a full-size SUV can get, packed with a high-tech DOHC 32-valve V8, a ridiculously rigid frame, and more storage and practical packaging solutions than anyone else. Our only reservation is that it didn't include any fuel-saving technology beyond the six-speed transmission. The thing is a rocket off the line and can tow 10,000 pounds. Enough said, but it's still a one-size-fits-all approach. Running a close second, we chose the Suburban 2500 (about $2000 more than the 1500), which gets bigger brakes, bigger axles, leaf springs, more payload, and much bigger towing numbers. | Full-size SUV, 4WD | | Vehicle | Chevy/GMC Suburban/Yukon XL | Chevy/GMC Tahoe/Yukon | Chrysler Aspen | | Base price | $38,280/$39,085 | $34,995/$35,690 | $32,750 | | Wheelbase, in | 130 | 116 | 119.2 | | Base engine | 5.3L OHV V-8 | 4.8L OHV V-8 | 4.7L SOHC V-8 | | Opt engine | 6.0LV-8 $1095 | 5.3L V-8 $800 | 5.7L V-8 $985 | | Horsepower, SAE | 320 (366) | 295 (320) | 303 (335) | | Torque, SAE | 340 (380) | 305 (340) | 330 (370) | | Airbags | Dual, side | Dual, side | Dual, side, head | | Largest tires | 265/70R17 | 265/70R17 | 265/60R18 | | Fuel capacity | 31 | 26 | 27 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 14/20 (13/18) | 14/19 (14/20) | 13/17 (13/18) | | Max pass | 8 | 8 | 7 | | Base curb weight, lb | 5608 | 5265 | 4859 | | GVWR, lb | 7000 | 6500 | 6600 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 137.4 | 104.6 | 102.4 | | Max towing cap, lb | 8100 | 7700 | 8950 | | Vehicle | Dodge Durango | Ford Expedition | Ford Expedition EL | | Base price | $27,200 | $31,520 | $35,045 | | Wheelbase, in | 119.2 | 119 | 131 | | Base engine | 3.7L SOHC V-6 | 5.4L SOHC V-8 | 5.4L SOHC V-8 | | Opt engine | 4.7L V-8 $985 | N/A | N/A | | Opt engine | 5.7L V-8 $1780 | | | | Horsepower, SAE | 210 (303, 335) | 300 | 300 | | Torque, SAE | 235 (330, 370) | 365 | 365 | | Airbags | Dual, side, head | Dual, side, head | Dual, side, head | | Largest tires | 265/75R17 | 275/55R20 | 275/55R20 | | Fuel capacity | 27 | 28 | 33.5 | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 14/19 (13/17, 13/18) | 12/18 | 11/17 | | Max pass | 8 | 8 | 8 | | Base curb weight, lb | 4659 | 5578 | 5833 | | GVWR, lb | 6600 | 7700 | 7900 | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 102.4 | 108.2 | 130.8 | | Max towing cap, lb | 8950 | 9200 | 9000 | | Vehicle | Nissan Armada | Toyota Sequoia | | | Base price | $36,075 | $37,290 | | | Wheelbase, in | 123.2 | 118.1 | | | Base engine | 5.6L DOHC V-8 | 4.7L DOHC V-8 | | | Opt engine | N/A | 5.7L V-8 | | | Horsepower, SAE | 317 | 276 (381) | | | Torque, SAE | 385 | 314 (401) | | | Airbags | Dual, head | Dual, side, head | | | Largest tires | 265/70R18 | 265/65R17 | | | Fuel capacity | 28 | 26.4 | | | EPA fuel econ, city/hwy | 12/18 | 12/17 (13/18) | | | Max pass | 8 | 8 | | | Base curb weight, lb | 5302 | 5850 | | | GVWR, lb | 7100 | 8100 | | | Max cargo cap, cu ft | 97.1 | 135.1 | | | Max towing cap, lb | 9100 | 10,000 | |
(Related Articles) 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! |
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Posted July 23 2008 02:41 PM by thomas_voehringer
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I enjoyed your article in the May/June 2008 issue, " Time To Play ," by Larry Walton. While I like to read about the new toys available and I liked the pictures, I didn't expect to see this kind of story in a magazine... more
In recent side crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2008 Toyota Tacoma earned the highest rating while the Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier faired "okay" and the and the... more
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Posted Yesterday 02:09 PM by Melissa
Just recently, I've "volunteered" to help my younger sister with the responsibility of taking my almost two-year-old nephew to daycare for her in the mornings. This has opened an whole new world of questions about safety,... more
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I enjoyed your article in the May/June 2008 issue, " Time To Play ," by Larry Walton. While I like to read about the new toys available and I liked the pictures, I didn't expect to see this kind of story in a magazine... more
In recent side crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2008 Toyota Tacoma earned the highest rating while the Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, and Nissan Frontier faired "okay" and the and the... more
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