Crossover vs SUV vs the IKE GAUNTLET World's Toughest Towing Test: The Difference May Surprise You!

[@MrBillsfishin]

Another great review gentlemen.

[@jsouthwell79]

A good comparison on towing would be the Toyota Highlander vs the Toyota 4Runner. Both have 5,000 lb towing capacity. One is crossover, one has a proper frame.

[@kishankish5438]

Agree with you

[@THeSPARTEnMORTER21]

im surprised they havnt had a 4runner on the Ike yet.

[@christianmai5025]

Yess!!!!

[@garys2157]

They did it with the 4Runner before KZbin was around, heard that they used a Polaroid camera to shoot the test.

[@THeSPARTEnMORTER21]

@@garys2157 they should do a new test, ive seen Taco's, Tundras, and even a Sequoia.

[@richsarchet9762]

As an Atlas owner, I have to say that if he had used Sport mode on the way down, it would have been at least 2-gears lower. Normal and Eco modes are EPA specials that minimize engine braking. Not long ago another reviewer (not TFL) was critical of how abruptly the Atlas slowed when cruise was disengaged and how aggressively the active cruise resumed when moving out from behind a slower vehicle - that would be because she had it in Sport mode, and it downshifted 2-gears when the throttle closed, because "sporty" drivers want engine braking. In normal it is smoother, typically downshifting one gear in the resume speed scenario, but staying in the highest available gear during coasting. In Eco it is limo smooth, only downshifting after several seconds of trying to accelerate in 8th gear.

[@javic1979]

but going up hill gassing it from 35mph it held a higher gear and didn't down-shift to get max performance. I own a 2015 VW Amarok (truck sold everywhere but the USA and canada) Its wider than the ford ranger but about the same length with a 3 tonne towing. its fitted with a 2.0L diesel and has the 8 speed. it shifts down on the 2nd brake then again on the 3rd. on a flat road or uphill flooring it with drop 2 or more gears and rev close to the limiter before up-shifting this diesel is 309 foot pounds (420nm) and 177hp (132kw) the updated 3.0 v6 diesel is 427 foot pounds(580nm) and 254hp(190kw)

[@warrenmiconi8141]

We love our Atlas.

[@davefjeldsted3518]

I would love to see this same test with other crossovers, such as the Hyundai Palisade which also has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000lbs.

[@johnfrantz5885]

Same as this VW

[@jamesfairview]

Agreed. A Nissan Pathfinder (6,000 lb. rating and CVT) would be interesting as well.

[@ssk3204]

5-6k is the sweet spot for crossovers but I have not come across positive towing review. Hopefully TFL will come across one.

[@cmdrdarwin3682]

I’m surprised to hear a Hyundai can tow 5k. I figured it would be like most SUVs at 3500 lbs. I don’t understand why most SUV manufacturers or aftermarket suppliers, don’t offer some kind or rear leveling suspension. SUVs are supposed to be built to haul people & cargo. I’m not sure I would buy any midsize SUV right now.

[@nickloss]

@@cmdrdarwin3682 the Telluride towing package does have self leveling rear suspension

[@WW-wf8tu]

A proper test. You listened to your viewers and answered them. With thoroughness and entertainment. What else could anyone ask for? This is TFL being great. Very helpful for people that own these, want these or wanted to know the class differences before they buy.

[@SamKhan-rd4rs]

You guys are living the best time of your lives. You dont work you actually go to office get paid for making videos and boom. My favorite job of all time where you dont work you just enjoy what you do

[@zelenizub2036]

I'm towing our camper, keystone passport 292bh with Nissan Armada. No problem at all best towing suv you can get in usa for the money. I'm using weight distribution hitch and this year put helper firestone air bags. Towing like dream get over 10mpg and manually downshift when needed... That v8 pulls like c15. Most downhill portions newer touch brakes. And having all needed space for kids..... Best thing about Nissan/Infinity v8 is no cylinder deactivation garbage.

[@geoffmooregm]

I used to have an 06 Infiniti QX56 that old 5.6L was a nice engine. I now have a Toyota Sequoia Platinum and it is the better tow vehicle for sure. But my experience is much like yours. Great power, hardly ever use the brakes down hill. We are a family of 6 an I couldn't ask anything more of it.

[@adiyaatkinson7207]

Thank you, I own a 2019 VW Atlas and just purchase a 4,450 lb RV trailer. Ill begin my journey this summer!!

[@mannyzx1]

That Nissan V8 is a Gem. It always has been.

[@alexdcruz7317]

Both these guys are great combo for taking up off road and towing challenges.

[@DaveK84]

I tow a 2200 lb fiberglass trailer with a 2016 lexus nx200t. I put firestone airbag helpers in to help with the rear sag, after the airbags it tows beautifully. No problem going up mountain passes or accelerating quickly to 70+ for passing if needed. I am averaging about 20mpg after towing many trips over the past 2 years and ~10,000 miles. I do have brakes on the trailer.

[@jasonhernandez2333]

Loved this video. I own a 2018 Atlas and it was nice to see it lugging 5,000 lbs up a grade. Power probably feels a little better down here in Florida. Elevation 0ft above sea level...lol.

[@06colkurtz]

Fresh coffee and my two favorite TFL guys! Doesn’t get better than that

[@Mittenman313]

Forgot the morning J with the coffee 😉

[@superceosnow9103]

Got my coffee also ☕️

[@lanceripplinger8352]

The VW did well up the hill. Seems it had good cooling capacity.

[@aky19832001]

Good honest review. You failed to mention an important feature of the Qx80. It’s made in Yukuhashi, Japan. That means you the pathological quality control. And attention to detail. That’s an important feature.

[@doubled8247]

How about a 5k lbs suv showdown 😂 In the market for one that can to a nice 3500lb camper so one with 5k lbs towing capacity suite well. However there’s not much information on the Kia telluride/palisade, Subaru ascent, highlander etc. A review with those vehicles would really help shoppers decide depending on their needs. Glad to see the atlas did good that’s also on my list.

[@theboys7195]

Great video! This is the type of real life info many people looking to purchase a new vehicle crave. Thank you for sharing your passionate knowledge with the rest of us. Cheers!

[@hermanjohnson9180]

I'm happy to see that *someone* is smart enough to point out that there is a difference between SUVs and CUVs. The orders of magnitude from least to most for off-roading are: Cars, Vans, CUVs, SUVs, Trucks.

[@EGGINFOOLS]

Infinity pulling trailer. "Here we go, at 35mph and..... Now" hammers down, video immediately goes to Nathan's view of the trailer? What the..... I wanna see the Speedo. This b roll stuff is old news

[@hapesethathi2742]

They have changed their Ike gauntlet editing which I hate. I liked the older enditing better because they used to show us everything and we felt part of the video, now they basically just show us the summary of the actual video. Argh man

[@EGGINFOOLS]

@@hapesethathi2742 I agree. Its like a video brochure..

[@neitzp]

This was so needed! Good job TFL!

[@ninioburbuja]

Loved the vid, cool to see Nathan.

[@sharpshooter012345]

Always nice to see you Nathan.

[@abiez]

Great review. SUVs seem more practical in really cold climates. Great to see the real world performance of these titans!!!✌️

[@kenj.8897]

And why is that ? Climate change ?

[@abiez]

@@kenj.8897 no. You can store more out of the elements than a pickup truck bed.

[@kenj.8897]

@@abiez ok .

[@machfive916]

Thank you for reviewing the SUV vs Crossover.

[@danatkinson6698]

Weigh safe has a hitch ball that can help you get the tongue weight close. That's pretty important when towing and helps those without much towing experience keep everything and everyone else safe

[@frankiedesam8624]

Hey guys can you do more of these types of videos like Suv towing and stuff thanks. Keep up the amazing work and videos guys thanks.

[@the_jarmel]

Top of the morning TFL... Gauntlet Time 🥰🍷

[@TheUnsureFox]

Gauntlet episodes are among my favorites in the TFL lineup. 😉

[@jalloor]

Thanks for this review it really helped my family in the decision to get an Atlas.

[@tommoore2572]

Very good comparison. I would like to see a comparison between 2024 VW Atlas Turbo 4 and the previouse V6. Nobody that I can find has put the new 2024 to a towing test.

[@zelenizub2036]

I wish Nissan woul offer Patrol lockers in Armada.

[@timglascock5558]

This seems more of a mid compared to large suv comparison...Wouldn't the QX80 be more comparable to the new defender or other full size crossovers?

[@hemiaddiction]

On the downhill I would like to see you set the cruise and then the vehicle would know what speed you want and the trans might be more aggressive. I know my ram with the ZF8 will most certainly grade shift aggressively if you set the cruise, not nearly as aggressively without cruise

[@alsanchez1161]

I would love to see this test with the Durango RT. I seen you guys do tow testing with the SRT. Would love a V6 and RT tow test up the ike.

[@rik999]

I still don't understand why you didn't use the weight distributing hitch on the Atlas. Was it because the WDH is 2.5" vs the 2" receiver on the Atlas hitch?

[@ericksanchez7787]

They said it in the video that the atlas is unibody and can't be used unlike the body on frame infiniti

[@rik999]

@@ericksanchez7787 still doesn,t answer the question. Why are unibodies different with regards to WD hitches?

[@ericksanchez7787]

@@rik999 hey I'm just saying on what they said in the video

[@TEXwithNODS]

@@rik999 There's no frame rails to connect the WD hitch to.

[@richsarchet9762]

@@TEXwithNODS But my WD hitch doesn't connect to the frame, it only slides into the receiver. I haven't used it on my Atlas, because I use my Sierra 2500HD when I tow, but I am pretty sure I could use it with the Atlas. Just checked the fabulous manual - "Never attach a weight distribution hitch". OK then.

[@kenoday7562]

Just wondering how the Explorer Ecoboost would do, considering it's advantage at elevation.

[@RigiLiquid945]

2:34 review camera mirror is great unless you're far sighted, and need prescription reading glasses to see up close, which blur the vision far away. Bifocals are okay for the lower screen.

[@fvjhuynh]

Love these Ike gauntlet videos! Thanks TFL!

[@rustyfilms]

whats worst that happens if your trailer is 6,000lbs with the Atlas SEL? I do plan on towing a bigger boat locally and across State lines- same path as video to Powell. I can say, I towed a 3700lb boat to powell from denver- no problem and around 13mpg. ty

[@gransport4246]

How well is the VW Atlas suited to tow 4,000 lbs like a boat on the weekends?

[@qeva_]

"Between about three thousand and forty five hundred RPM" 4:03 And then they blame me for not learning English

[@cleanthesthes6728]

This is pretty standard grammatical shorthand, even for native english speakers in the US. It may even exclusively apply to indicating rpm increments.

[@murdoc94]

Bigger mirrors on the Infiniti would make it harder to get thru the starbucks drive thru lane, not gonna happen. :-)

[@pssita]

We have a 2020 Nissan Armada Platinum (yes it has tow mode) and we tow an 8k lb travel trailer with ease.. As I understand the Qx is the same as the Armada. We usually get 9mpg while towing. The Armada has connection from the factory. I just had to plug in my brake controller and bingo.

[@alexanderpeter219]

More suv/ crossover towing please. Including both mid-sized suvs and smaller crossovers.

[@jh77sly]

Runs like this make me wonder how my 93 Crown Victoria would do as a "super Ike" as 5K is the limit of it's tow rating. I have a dual core F150 radiator, electric fan from 2001-03 crown vic, 24 plate trans cooler, 3.55 rear gears, ceramic rear brakes, and Hawk HPS front brakes. It also has AirLift 1000 load helpers in the rear.

[@xoraxoxora]

could you make a test, change it only the tires of one Crossover like TAOS or ATLAS for an BF Goodrich, without lift the suspension, without any other change, just the wheel and tires, to check if their capabilities will improve it.

[@fntony4967]

YES more SUV IKE GAUNLETS the people want to know!

[@gunsandgranola7262]

Why do you have the atlas in sport mode for towing?

[@Justatrucker88]

I towed 8000 with my 2018 Atlas. Not intentional. Found out on the scale at the dump. It felt like half that. But german reliability made a number and i had to sell the car after 2 years.

[@dirf554]

Nathan’s 10cyl comment made me think of the W12 engine which was a marvel lol

[@davep2945]

The QX 80 and the Armada still use the 7 speed auto because they are based on the Patrol platform (which also still uses the 7 speed) and not the Titan platform. Nissan really should switch all of them over to the 9 speed and I expect they will in the next year or two.

[@gumerdominguez4091]

Vr6 one of the best v6 for long ways

[@jeremysimpson1432]

Has anyone put airbags on the Atlas to help with squat?

[@theworldaccordingtochris4370]

I have never seen an 8 pin trailer connection in Europe, only a 7 or 13 pin.

[@morelandhouse1]

Does the atlas allow equilizer hitch

[@rorymcleod4463]

I would have loved to see this test down with the 2015 Vw Touareg Tdi. Would have been cool to see the diesel comparison.

[@Nugrat1]

Thanks guys. Maybe a newer Grand Cherokee V6?

[@jeffdillon7202]

Why did you guys use the WDH on the Qx80 and not the VW?

[@nickstrim]

Did you use weight distribution hitch on Atlas ?

[@timothywilson3785]

Messing with the backup camera just enough to slam into the car in front of you. 😏

[@raymondcollins7651]

Watch you all the time and love your truck reviews. But PLEASE PLEASE test towing with the Highlander. I need to know!

[@Ishkatan]

More SUV towing test with off road comparison. I want to do fire trails, bogs, the hill in back of my house (in winter) and tow 2000 lbs monthly and up to 7500 lbs once a year. :) Oh, and camp in the back...

[@grantpratt299]

Looking for the Cherokee towing

[@VARITHMS]

Why wasn't the weight distribution hitch used on the VW? I'd like to see the 2.3L explorer and the 2.7 turbo silverado hit Ike

[@zelenizub2036]

Can't use weigh distribution hitch on atlas. Friend of mine has q7 and it states in manual no distinction hitch. I assume for atlas same thing.

[@davidmarquez966]

can you share the route you use? so which piece of highway I think I've been there haha...

[@DaveKootchie]

Not sure when they re worked the QX80 but man it looks better than it used to. The Q56 made me sick,

[@TwoElevenAMG]

What was the tongue weight?

14:41 I thought it was agreed not to let him start drinking until after lunch.

[@santoshshrestha8382]

I have Volkswagen Atlas SE 2018 v6 3.6 L SUV with all wheel drive. I don’t have VW factory installed hitch and VW website says without factory installed hitch i can only tow 2000lbs instead of 5000 lbs by factory installed tow package. Did anybody had similar situations and were they able to tow it safe? I’m looking for camper wolf pup 16bhsbl 3076lbs dry weight. Is it safe to tow by my SUV ? TIA

[@mccylk4441]

would like to see atlas ( not crossport) vs highlander vs palisade vs pilot at max towing capacity; not to apples to oranges.

[@Domman56]

Telluride please and thank you!!

[@matthew_k47]

It would be interesting to see an Audi Q7 or Q8 at its maximum of 7700 pounds

[@sketchyssk8shop]

Does that hitch effect those of us that still have surge brakes

[@wallyblackler46]

If use the cruise control the transmission will shift more often

[@jakeflicks]

Should've had sport mode on for the atlas's transmission

[@jakeflicks]

when going downhill

[@ESherbinFox]

Soooo can it tow?

[@jakey20022]

SRT DURANGO vs the ST Explorer next. Then of course we need to see the hellcat Durango in 21'

[@billymc2681]

10 brake applications...well, uhhh, er huhhhhh....it's not THAT bad. You guys are something else!

[@zelenizub2036]

Anyone who can't downshift manually or doesn't understand concept of downshifting, should not operate towing vehicle.

[@Minimalist1266]

@@zelenizub2036 I don't understand the importance of brake applications. What matters is if the brakes overheat, not the number of applications.

[@zelenizub2036]

@@Minimalist1266 no brake applications no overheating...

[@Minimalist1266]

@@zelenizub2036 I get that but almost all vehicles will have some brake application towing downhill if you don't downshift. If the brakes don't overheat after 10 or 12 applications who cars if that is more than another vehicle. It is a pointless comparison. What would be a more meaningful test is total stopping distance with that trailer or an emergency lane change.

[@sntstafford]

@@zelenizub2036 The object is to see what the vehicle’s tuning will do. TFL, through their testing, has encouraged vehicle companies to put more emphasis on ensuring that their factory tuning improves, since the tools to do so are already there. This is to help vehicle companies to broaden their purchase base.

[@joshuakurian5994]

I’d love to see the Mercedes glb tow!

[@normt430]

If a 2.0T could tow that much it would be double those mpgs!

[@jeromakazi1]

Kia Telluride next please!

[@gunsandgranola7262]

And, it’s to bad about the diesel deception. The atlas with the V6 diesel would be a beast.

[@Steven-xj2rf]

The Atlas was a bad choice here for this comparison. A GLS550 or Q7 would have been a better choice. I think the 4Runner vs Highlander would be best comparison. More SUV testing would be great.

[@seagullsbtn]

Still not reporting on transmission temperatures, coolant temperatures. C'mon guys.

[@dezwodposton4706]

Be nice to do a Ford Explorer v6 NA engine

[@R.Nelson]

I seen a QX truck on Thanksgiving...guy was pulled over using his phone...Big Truck..Tall.

[@kristianmurin3696]

More crossover towing!!

[@7spower998]

Nathan, the engine in the Atlas is VR6, not V6. VW VR6 is "Verkürzt Reihen 6" - Shortened In-line 6, not narrow-angle V6. There's no such thing as narrow-angle V6.

[@kenoday7562]

The normal V6 engine has a 60 degree angle between the piston banks. The VR6 angle is 22 degrees. Hence the narrow angle nomenclature. It most certainly is NOT an I6, the cylinders are not all in a single row.

[@christianmai5025]

Do the Highlander!!

[@jeffdillon7202]

Mr Truck: don't waste my time with these shenanigans.

[@MrTruckTV]

Yeah

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

try 4 people and 2 dogs inside the 3 row highlander, crossover than try 5000

[@renooverlanding9549]

Gotta love the Nissan patrol:)

[@keg4998]

16:46 All Volkswagen SUVs have available third row

[@Serge89dude]

Not the Atlas sport.

[@Serge89dude]

The regular Atlas has 3rd row seating and Tiguan has it as option

[@wwz1011]

Close to best in class = Not best in class.

[@Minimalist1266]

Drawing a conclusion from this test is pretty pointless. The Infinity was at 58% of it's towing capacity. Of course it will perform better. How does the Atlas perform when towing 2900 lbs?

[@Minimalist1266]

@@killdizzle But the title of the video still says crossover vs SUV which is misleading.

[@Minimalist1266]

@@killdizzle I agree with you.

[@uww.v]

Man you guys miss out on the patrol

[@theacn5308]

If you’re comparing an suv to a crossover; I would’ve chosen a more capable , more comparable crossover to an suv. Maybe like a Durango.

[@kurtweber2746]

The VW is an impressive towing machine. My Toureg is good for 7700 Lbs of pulling nad 660Lbs of tongue weight. The Atlas is a bit heavier but less of a tow vehicle than the Toureg, but alas, they only sell the Toureg in Europe now. So I'm looking at the Atlas. It is now a 4cyl, turbo for 2024 so I'm skeptical. Looking for a tow comparison with the 4cyl and 5K of weight here on KZbin and that is what brought me here.

[@Mid2stars]

tow with a cvt never seen that before

[@ryanh5406]

The atlas as far as I know doesn’t have a cvt

[@clintmullins4406]

Can’t believe that turd did 8:08. I don’t understand the appeal of these suvs.

[@Kingcold2002]

Infinity v8 vs Ford Expedition max super Ike gauntlet

[@robertyingling8193]

Id love to see you compare the rav4 and Hylander or the four runner