Best SUV for Towing: Top Picks
People ask a lot of modern crossovers and SUVS. Theses utility vehicles need to transport passengers, haul gear, and tow trailers; sometimes all at once.
So, what is best the SUV for the task, specifically tasks that involve an external trailer being towed behind the vehicle? It really depends on how it is being used. Not everyone is going to need a 10,000 lbs. tow rating to transport two people with a small paddle board trailer. Others though may have a family of five and a 38-foot travel trailer they hope to vacation in, and need maximum trailering capacity.
To help sift through the dozens of options currently on the market, we have highlighted a few standout SUVs in several different categories. These are vehicles with high tow ratings for their class and/or factory installed towing packages.
Please note, when deciding on what SUV is right for towing, maximum trailering capacity is a weight listed when the vehicle is unloaded. Carry multiple passengers with a cargo area full of gear, and that weight will need to be subtracted form the trailering capacity. So it’s always best to have a vehicle with a tow rating higher than what is absolutely needed. Especially if trailering will be a common occurrence.
Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness
The Subaru Crosstrek, like most vehicles in its class, can tow upwards of 1,500 pounds normally. But, when opting for the more adventurous Wilderness spec, tow capacity goes up significantly. In this trim, the maximum towing capabilities of the Crosstrek Wilderness is officially listed at 3,500 pounds. That's more than plenty of vehicles a size larger than the Crosstrek.
Nissan Pathfinder
The midsize three-row crossover has become the modern family hauler of choice; a true jack-of-all-trades vehicle. Most SUVs in this class are rated to tow 5,000 lbs, but the Nissan Pathfinder trumps them with an official tow rating of 6,000 lbs. when equipped with all-wheel drive (front-wheel drive models can only tow 3,500 lbs.). If the Pathfinder isn’t premium enough, there is its luxurious corporate sibling, the Infiniti QX60, that offers the same capabilities.
Dodge Durango
If more towing power is needed around the same size as the Nissan Pathfinder, there is the Dodge Durango. Based on a more rugged rear-wheel drive-based platform, the Durango is capable of towing upwards of 7,400 lbs when the 5.7-liter V8 engine is selected. That rating drops to 7,200 lbs. for all-wheel drive models. But the best part is that the 710 hp SRT Hellcat with its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 can be equipped to tow an impressive 8,700 lbs.
Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition was all-new last year and competes in the full-size, body-on-frame SUV category. As these are properly truck-based, SUVs like the Expedition can tow a serious amount of weight; upwards of 9,600 lbs with the heavy-duty trailer tow package. It makes it one of the highest rated SUVs on sale currently and out pulls the GMC Yukon, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia, and Chevrolet Tahoe. With its five-digit tow rating, this Ford can tow all but the absolute largest of travel trailers.
Land Rover Defender 90
Towing isn’t just reserved for regular SUVs, some of the more posh options out there can handle some serious work in their own-right. Take the off-road Land Rover Defender 90. This two-door SUV can tow upwards of 7,716 lbs. when properly equipped. The four-door Defender 110 can also tow this same amount, as can the Discovery. But there is something about the small two-door Defender 90 towing a large trailer that puts a smile on our faces.
Lincoln Navigator
The big Lincoln Navigator is one of the most comfortable premium SUVs on the market, offering a lot of space for passengers in coddled luxury. It can also pull a lot of weight with official ratings of 8,700 lbs. for rear-wheel drive models and 8,300 lbs for 4X4. No lightweight itself, the Navigator’s heft is actually an advantage when towing a large trailer as it shouldn’t be as susceptible to a trailer trying to pul it off course.
Porsche Macan
The Porsche Macan may surprise many for being on this list. After all, it’s a small performance SUV, not a work truck. But, the Porsche actually has one of the highest tow ratings for any compact luxury SUV. Rated to tow 4,400 lbs., the Macan trumps the next highest rated vehicle, the equally surprising Range Rover Evoque. And any Macan is capable of towing that much weight, including the 434 hp GTS.
Audi SQ7 / SQ8 / RS Q8
But for a serious combination of power and towing, look towards Audi’ s large performance-special SUVs. The SQ7 and SQ8 throw down 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque while being capable of towing 7,700 lbs. If a little more grunt is desired, the RS Q8 should do the trick as it can still tow that same amount while upping power to 591 hp. Laugh as you pass people on the highway while towing a large pontoon boat.
GMC Hummer EV
For the ultimate in electric SUV towing, there is the GMC Hummer EV SUV. GMC claims the vehicle will be able to hit 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds with the three motor set-up, but it's the two-motor set-up that does the serious amount of towing. How serious? It is rated to tow up to 10,300 pounds when properly equipped. That’s a fair amount for an electric vehicle and range is affected when towing in excess of 10,000 lbs. Still, for short trips, this EV beast is ready to haul the goods.
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A 20+ year industry veteran, Mike rejoins the AutoGuide team as the Managing Editor. He started his career at a young age working at dealerships, car rentals, and used car advertisers. He then found his true passion, automotive writing. After contributing to multiple websites for several years, he spent the next six years working at the head office of an automotive OEM, before returning back to the field he loves. He is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA). He's the recipient of a feature writing of the year award and multiple video of the year awards.
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Putting an ev in this lists is funny .Plenty of power , but no miles .Which makes it , at best totally impractical.Note when you are towing with an ev you have to un hook your trailer every time to charge the impractical,basically worthless as a tow vehicle , ev .The ev truck like all EVs is extremely inefficient as a tow vehicle .Knowing this , why did you include it ?
Random misc vehicles. You missed many "best SUVs for towing"