2018 Chevy Tahoe RST vs 2018 GMC Yukon XL: Which 6.2L V8 Is a Better Towing Machine?

2018 gmc yukon denali chevy tahoe rst
Which 6.2L V8 and 10-speed is better?

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.