Which full-size 6.2L V8 SUV is a better towing machine? Is it a 2018 Chevy Tahoe RST or is it a 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali? Both of them have the new 10-speed automatic transmission, but one is tuned for sporty driving and the other for enveloping luxury.
Welcome to the Ike Gauntlet™ – World’s Toughest Towing test, and welcome to the 2018 Gold Hitch awards competition. We are focusing most of our 2018 towing competition of the full-size truck-based SUVs. Why? It’s because there are so many all-new or refreshed giant SUVs this year. Don’t worry – we will also be testing plenty of pickup trucks. We already ran the 2018 Ford F-150, and several heavy duty diesel trucks.
Ike Gauntlet
This time we are towing a 7,000 lbs CM Trailers Cargo Mate trailer up and down a 7% grade of an 8-mile stretch of the highest elevation interstate highway in the country. The top elevation of the toughest towing test in the world is 11,158 feet above sea level. If a truck does well in this environment and under heavy load, it will do great in your day-to-day operation.
| 2018 GMC Yukon XL Denali | 2018 Chevy Tahoe RST | |
| Power: | 6.2L V8: 420 hp / 460 lb-ft | 6.2L V8: 420 hp / 460 lb-ft |
| Transmission: | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Rear Axle Ratio: | 3.23 | 3.23 |
| Max Towing: | 8,000 lbs (4×4 model) | 8,100 lbs (4×4 model) |
| Max Payload: | 1,401 lbs (as tested) | 1,460 lbs (as tested) |
Check out the times, downhill performance, and all the Ike Gauntlet scores in the video below. You will likely be surprised by the final results.
