Ultimate Performance SUV - Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008

Truck Trend's Best in Class 2008: Ultimate Performance SUV

By Editors of Truck Trend

Winner: Yukon Denali XL
Runner-Up: Lexus LX 570

This segment is all about arriving and driving in style, so the money issue isn't the primary consideration. Still, you can't just charge huge amounts and not have the plush comforts to back it up and the capability to separate itself from the pretenders. Think of it as bang for the buck on a nuclear scale. After much debate that had voters breaking into two camps (old-school fans opted for the M-B G55, and the Porsche Cayenne twin-turbo's power output won over the rest), the discussion settled back to a vehicle that did many things well--reasonably priced, powerful, AWD, and seven-passenger-capable. The GMC Yukon Denali XL fit that bill. Multiple entertainment systems, wonderful material choices, and a classy interior layout had even the most passionate G-Class advocate singing the GMC's praises. Likewise, the new Lexus with the 383-horsepower, 5.7-

Ultimate Performance SUV
Vehicle	Audi Q7	BMW X5 4.8i	Cadillac Escalade/ESV AWD
Base price	$59,375	$55,275	$58,330/$60,775
Wheelbase, in	118.2	111	116.0/130.0
Engine	4.2L DOHC V-8	4.8L DOHC V-8	6.2L OHV V-8
Horsepower, SAE	350	350	403
Torque, SAE	325	350	417
Airbags	Dual, head, side	Dual, head, side	Dual, side
Brakes, f/r	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL
Tires	275/45R20	275/40R20 F; 315/35R20 R	285/45R22
Fuel cap, gal	26.4	24.3	26.0/31.0
EPA fuel econ, city/hwy	17-Dec	14/19	18-Dec
Max pass	6	5	6-May
Base curb weight, lb	5027	5213	5459/5750
GVWR, lb	6200	6008	6800/7200
Max cargo cap, cu ft	72.5	69	108.6/137.6
Max towing cap, lb	6600	6000	8000/7800
Vehicle	GMC Yukon Denali/XL	Hummer H2	Infiniti QX56
Base price	$49,420/$52,075	$56,555	$56,165
Wheelbase, in	116.0/130.0	122.8	123.2
Engine	6.2L OHV V-8	6.2L OHV V-8	5.6L DOHC V-8
Horsepower, SAE	380	393	320
Torque, SAE	417	415	393
Airbags	Dual, side	Dual, head	Dual, head, side
Brakes, f/r	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL
Tires	275/55R20	305/60R20	265/70R18
Fuel cap, gal	26.0/31.0	32	28
EPA fuel econ, city/hwy	18-Dec	17-Nov	13/18
Max pass	7-Jun	7	6
Base curb weight, lb	5635/5838	6614	5903
GVWR, lb	7100/7400	8600	7100
Max cargo cap, cu ft	108.9/137.4	86.6	97.2
Max towing cap, lb	7900/7800	8200	9000
Vehicle	Lexus LX 570	Lincoln Navigator/L AWD	Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG
Base price	$74,645	$51,555/$54,555	$110,675
Wheelbase, in	112.2	119.0/130.0	112.2
Engine	5.7L DOHC V-8	5.4L DOHC V-8	5.5L DOHC SC V-8
Horsepower, SAE	383	300	493
Torque, SAE	403	365	516
Airbags	Dual, head, side	Dual, head, side	Dual, head
Brakes, f/r	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL
Tires	275/60R18	275/55R20	285/55R18
Fuel cap, gal	25.4	28.0/33.5	25.4
EPA fuel econ, city/hwy	13/18	18-Dec	13-Nov
Max pass	7	7-Jul	5
Base curb weight, lb	5995	5777/6005	5510
GVWR, lb	7275	7400/7900	7002
Max cargo cap, cu ft	83.1	103.3/128.7	79.5
Max towing cap, lb	8500	9000/8800	7000
Vehicle	Mercedes-Benz GL550	Porsche Cayenne Turbo	Range Rover HSE SC
Base price	$77,750	$94,595	$93,600
Wheelbase, in	121.1	112.4	113.4
Engine	5.5L DOHC V-8	4.8L DOHC TT V-8	4.2L SOHC SC V-8
Horsepower, SAE	382	500	400
Torque, SAE	391	516	420
Airbags	Dual, head, side	Dual, head, side	Dual, head, side
Brakes, f/r	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL	Disc/disc, 4WAL
Tires	295/40R21	255/55R18	255/50R20
Fuel cap, gal	26.4	26.4	27.6
EPA fuel econ, city/hwy	13/17	19-Dec	18-Dec
Max pass	7	5	5
Base curb weight, lb	5280	4762	5698
GVWR, lb	6944	6790	6834
Max cargo cap, cu ft	83.3	62.5	74.2
Max towing cap, lb	7500	7716	7716

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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!