Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008: Full-Size SUV
By 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 | |
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