Looking for a new vehicle that can tow? Your first thought may be a pickup truck. But many SUVs, when properly equipped, can also tow a boat or camper quite well. In fact, iSeeCars says they can tow nearly as much or more than compact pickup trucks.
Best SUVS for Towing
iSeeCars is sharing its picks for Best SUVs For Towing. While large SUVs tow the maximum weight, don't count out smaller SUVs. Researchers say they can deliver surprising towing and hauling capabilities, while also being more fuel efficient. Of course, the SUVS on the list are all equipped with four-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Keep in mind, too, that to get the max towing figures listed below, iSeeCars says you'll likely need some form of a heavy-duty trailer tow package. They include things like a trailer hitch, trailer sway control, and other safety features, as well as wiring and special equipment that help ensure your vehicle can handle the added stress of towing which can also include powertrain enhancements like transmission coolers and a higher capacity alternator, plus cameras to improve visibility when hooking a trailer up.
Read CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds' Beginner's Guide to Dighy Towing here →
Best Small/Compact SUVs
- Small/Compact SUV: Jeep Cherokee (4,000 lbs max towing capacity)
- Luxury Small/Compact SUV: Land Rover Defender (8,201 lbs max towing capacity)
Best Subcompact SUVs
- Subcompact SUV: Jeep Compass (2,000 pounds MAX towing capacity)
- Luxury Subcompact SUV: Audi Q3 (4,400 pounds MAX towing capacity)
Best Midsize SUVs
- Midsize SUV: Dodge Durango (8,700 lbs max towing capacity)
- Luxury Midsize SUV: Land Rover Discovery (8,200 lbs max towing capacity)
Best Large SUVS
Best Crossover SUVS
- Crossover SUV: Dodge Durango (8,700 lbs max towing capacity)
- Luxury Crossover SUV: Land Rover Discovery (8,200 lbs max towing capacity)
Best Three-Row SUVS
Best Hybrid SUVS
- Hybrid SUV: Toyota Sequoia hybrid (9,520 lbs max towing capacity)
- Large Luxury Hybrid SUV - Porsche Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid (7,700 lbs max towing capacity)
Best Plug-In Hybrid SUVS
- Plug-In Hybrid SUV: Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEV (6,000 lbs max towing capacity)
- Large Luxury Plug-In Hybrid SUV: Porsche Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid (7,700 lbs max towing capacity)
Best Electric SUVS
- Electric SUV: Rivian R1S (7,700 lbs max towing capacity)
- Luxury Electric SUV: Rivian R1S (7,700 lbs max towing capacity)
What Else To Keep In Mind
Researchers say full-size body-on-frame SUVs like the Chevrolet Suburban and its GMC Yukon XL will offer the highest tow weight ratings. They can be equipped with a max trailering package that includes a larger radiator, a tow hitch, and a trailer brake controller. Also, most large three-row SUVs, including the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, as well as the Toyota Sequoia, offer similar upgrades to better manage trailer weight.
Best Towing Features
Now a look at some of the key features iSeeCars highlights when buying a vehicle for towing:
- Electronic Trailer-Sway Control: Similar to stability control for cars, trailer-sway control can sense when a trailer is sliding sideways (maybe during a sudden evasive maneuver) and counter it by adjusting the brake and throttle of the tow vehicle
- Four- and Seven-Pin Trailer Connector: You need to hook up taillights and brake lights to your trailer, which use either a four- or seven-pin wiring harness; having both connectors on a tow vehicle means you’re covered for every trailer type
- Integrated Trailer Brake Controller: Coordinates the tow vehicle’s brake system with the trailer’s brake system, and lets drivers adjust them to ensure the two systems work together for balanced braking between both vehicles
- Tow/Haul Mode: This changes the programming for a tow vehicle’s automatic transmission settings, altering when upshifts and downshifts occur to reduce strain on the engine, transmission and brake system
- Trailer Hitch Camera: Hooking up a trailer is pretty straightforward when you can see both the trailer and the hitch; some new models offer advanced guidance systems that make aligning the hitch and trailer very easy. One such camera is Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist.
Calculating Your GVWR When Towing
You'll also need to calculate how much total weight you can add to your vehicle, which is basically the difference between its curb weight and its gross vehicle weight rating. Never exceed the GVWR, which includes the curb weight plus the weight of all passengers, cargo, and the tongue weight of your trailer. Tongue weight is approximately 10 percent of the trailer’s total weight, and it must also not push a vehicle's total weight past its GVWR.
You can find all the specs for max towing, max payload, GVWR and curb weight in the full iSeeCars report by category.
Photo Credit: Toyota.