January 22

What Are the Best SUVs for Towing?

Last Updated on January 22, 2025

SUVs often make driving much more enjoyable with comfortable seating, plenty of cargo space, and—thanks to modern technology—impressive towing capacity. Whether you are traveling across country or within state, towing with an SUV provides both a smooth ride and unmatched convenience. Vehicles like the Ford Expedition, Dodge Durango, and Jeep Grand Wagoneer stand out as prime examples, blending substantial towing power with luxurious comfort. If you’re considering purchasing an SUV, you might wonder which models offer the best towing capabilities, and just how much weight can they handle.

List of Best SUVs for Towing

Nissan Armada SUV, boasting a large towing capacity, with same weight for towing as the Infiniti QX80.

Here are the top eight best SUVs for towing, based on maximum towing capacity:

1. Jeep Wagoneer

One of the best towing SUVs, Jeep Wagoneer, a full size SUV, but not the same vehicle as the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

The Jeep Wagoneer is amongst full size SUVs and tow vehicles offering both commanding presence and exceptional capability. Powered by a V8 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, it integrates cutting-edge driving management systems, such as adaptive cruise control and parking assistance, for an enhanced driving experience.

In its fully loaded version, this vehicle takes comfort and technology to the next level, ensuring a smooth ride with high-end interior features and advanced safety technology. The reason this vehicle is at the top of the list is because it boasts a 10,000 lbs. max towing capacity, earning it one of the highest tow ratings in its class, able to tackle most heavy loads!

2. Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Best Full size SUVs for towing, 2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer in white color with plenty of cargo space.

The counterpart to the Wagoneer, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, also boasts one of the highest tow ratings in its class, with an impressive maximum towing capacity of 9,750 lbs. This vehcile offers plenty of horsepower delivered through a 3.0L Hurricane Twin-Turbo 510 I6 engine, an upgrade from the standard 6.4L V8 engine.

Best SUVs for towing, Black Jeep Grand Wagoneer, with a luxurious interior offering third row seating, towing a maximum weight of 9,750 lbs.

Both the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are full-size SUVs that offer a spacious interior, providing ample room for passengers, including rear seats designed for comfort. Additionally, these models offer generous cargo space, making them ideal for carrying equipment and gear with ease. Additionally, as a luxury SUV and tow vehicle, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer boasts an estimated fuel economy of 15 MPG city / 20 MPG highway, making it a relatively efficient option in its class.

3. Toyota Sequoia

Best SUVs for towing, 2023 Toyota Sequioa has a high tow rating and cavernous interior as a full size SUV.

Third on the list is the Toyota Sequoia, which boasts a maximum towing capacity of 9,520 lbs. Powered by the i-FORCE MAX Twin Turbo V6 Hybrid engine, it delivers impressive performance while maintaining efficiency. The Sequoia is not only stylish but also spacious, offering ample room for both passengers and gear. A standout feature is its six-inch sliding third row, providing added flexibility for transporting people and equipment.

Best SUVs for towing- White Toyota Sequoia, full size SUV, available with four wheel drive, providing off road capability.

With its hybrid engine, the Toyota Sequoia offers an impressive fuel economy of 19 MPG city / 22 MPG highway, making it one of the most fuel-efficient options in its class for those who need both power and efficiency.

4. Ford Expedition

Best SUVs for Towing capacity - Ford Expedition, offering tons of cargo space as a full size SUV with mid-rage tow rating.

Standard 4×4 models of the Ford Expedition are capable of towing up to 6,500 pounds. However, upgrading to the vehicle’s heavy-duty towing package significantly increases its towing capacity, raising it to 9,300 pounds. This package includes enhancements like a larger radiator, an integrated brake controller, and pro trailer backup assist. The Ford Expedition is powered by a 10-speed automatic transmission and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 510 lb-ft of torque for optimal towing performance.

5. Lincoln Navigator

Best SUVs for Towing Capacity, Lincoln Navigator, with rear-wheel drive and towing capacity of 8700 pounds and plenty of cargo space

This tow vehicle is the luxury counterpart to the Ford Expedition. The Navigator is a full size SUV that has a towing capacity of 8,700 pounds if equipped with the Heavy Duty Trailer Towing package. This SUV is configured with rear-wheel drive, with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produces up to 510 lb-ft of torque. Like the Ford Expedition, the vehicle’s extended version decreases towing capacity by 300 pounds. The four-wheel drive version decreases towing capacity by another 200 pounds. 

6. Dodge Durango

Best SUVs for Towing Capacity - Dodge Durango, one of the mid size SUVs offering all wheel drive, with towing capacity of 8700 pounds.

These midsize SUVs can tow up to 8,700 pounds when equipped with the powerful 6.4L HEMI® V8 engine. Designed for urban driving, this vehicle offers impressive acceleration like a muscle car, reaching 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. The vehicle’s size provides a comfortable ride even with the third row, seating up to seven people, which is optional with different trims. These features make it one of the most versatile SUVs for towing.

Dodge Durango mid size SUV, offering large towing capacity.

7. Nissan Armada

Best SUVs for Towing Capacity - Luxury SUV Nissan Armada, with towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.

The Nissan Armada features a 7-speed automatic transmission, 400-horsepower, and a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This tow vehicle offers the highest standard towing capacity—8,500 pounds. The company’s SV-and-higher models also come equipped with a standard integrated brake controller wired right into the dash. The Nissan Armada is among the three-row SUVs, offering seating for 7 or 8 passengers, depending on the seating configuration. The rear seats provide ample space for comfort, making it a versatile option for families and large groups.

Black Nissan Armada, available with all wheel drive and off road capability.

8. Infiniti QX80

Best luxury SUVs for Towing Capacity - Infiniti QX80, among the three row SUVs, with towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.

The QX80 is the luxury counterpart to the Nissan Armada. This SUV offers the same 400-hp and 413 lb-ft torque from the same 5.6-liter V8 engine. Its towing capacity is the same weight as the Nissan Armada, at 8,500 pounds. Towing package technology on the QX80 includes an integrated Class IV tow hitch and a seven-PIN wiring harness with cover, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and tow mode. Additionally, the QX80 offers seating for up to 8 passengers, rivalling other three-row SUVs in both luxury and spaciousness, making it an ideal option for families who need both towing power and comfort.

Infiniti QX80, full size SUVs with third row seating and off road capability.

Top SUV Towing Capacities

Jeep Grand Wagoneer, with third row seating and 10,000 lbs. max towing capacity, which makes towing easy.

This chart showcases the 20 highest SUV towing capacities, highlighting the maximum weight each vehicle can handle for heavy-duty towing. You can use this guide to quickly compare the towing potential of top SUVs, helping you make an informed decision based on your needs. Whether you’re hauling a horse trailer, equipment, or a camper, these SUVs offer the pulling power necessary for a smooth towing experience.

Top SUVs for towing capacity

Understanding SUV Towing Capacity

2017 Ford Expedition, a powerful SUV for towing, available in all wheel drive.

When selecting an SUV for towing, consider its pulling power in terms of horsepower and torque, which directly affects its towing capacity. Higher engine power translates to a greater ability to haul heavy loads efficiently, ensuring safe and stable towing even over long distances or rugged terrains. Next, find out the gross trailer weight (GTW) of the load you plan to tow (or the heaviest GTW if you plan on towing multiple loads). Then, determine the maximum towing capacity, also called the gross trailer weight rating (GTWR), of the SUV you are considering. The GTWR should be greater than the GTW or else the vehicle will struggle to tow the load.

Lastly, remember that not all model variations of an SUV have the same towing capacity. When manufacturers boast about their SUV’s GTWR, they typically refer to the version of the model with the highest GTWR and an optional towing package. However, when they post prices the listing usually reflects a base model, which likley doesn’t have the same GTWR as other versions.

How to Increase SUV Towing Capacity

Luxury SUV, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator parked in front of some tres on a sunny day.

There are several ways to increase your SUV’s towing capacity and ensure it meets your needs. One option is upgrading the engine to a more powerful model, which can provide extra horsepower and torque required for heavy-duty towing. Additionally, opting for four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) instead of front-wheel drive (FWD) can significantly improve towing performance, particularly in challenging conditions like wet or rough terrain.

Another consideration is the type of tires you use; tires designed for higher payloads can help distribute the weight of the trailer more efficiently, reducing strain on the vehicle. Lastly, a towing package, which often includes enhanced cooling systems, upgraded suspension, and additional features like a stronger hitch, can boost towing capacity and make towing safer.

If you can keep these factors in mind when shopping for an SUV, you’re one step closer to finding the best vehicle to meet your towing needs, all while ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.

Don’t Penalize the Payload!

Best SUVs for towing- 2022 Ford Expedition, a reliable vehicle with high towing capacity and a lot of interior space, one of the best SUVs for towing.

Remember, between 10 and 15 percent of the total weight of the trailer will transfer onto the truck (called the tongue weight). For instance, a trailer with a gross weight of 9,300 pounds will add up to 1,395 pounds to the truck’s load. This transfer significantly impacts the towing capacity, as it reduces the available payload.

On the Ford Expedition, with a payload capacity of just 1,700 pounds, the tongue weight could account for as much as 82 percent of the truck’s total payload. This highlights the importance of factoring in tongue weight when calculating how much weight the vehicle can safely tow.

What Are the Best Used SUVs for Towing?

2022 Infiniti QX80, one for the best luxury SUVs for towing capacity, offering ample interior space and impressive towing capability.

Purchasing a brand-new SUV as a tow vehicle isn’t always the most practical option, especially if you’re mindful of your budget. The good news is that many of the best used SUVs for towing deliver comparable performance to new models of the same vehicle, thanks to the minimal changes in towing capacities over the past decade.

When evaluating used options, focus on reliability and maintenance history to ensure the vehicle can handle the demands of towing over time. If you find a used SUV with a towing package, it’s an added bonus, as these packages often include features tailored to towing, such as upgraded cooling systems and trailer stability enhancements.

Conclusion: Finding the Right SUV for Your Towing Needs

Best SUVs for towing- 2023 Nissan Armada, with tow rating of 8,500 pounds and fuel efficiency of 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway.

The best tow vehicles are often ones with a towing capacity slightly more than the total weight of the largest load you plan to tow. Be sure to also consider an SUV with a towing package, as it often includes features like enhanced cooling systems, trailer sway control, and a hitch receiver, making towing safer and more efficient. SUVs like the Ford Expedition, Dodge Durango, and Jeep Grand Wagoneer are great choices, offering impressive towing capacities along with advanced towing technology that enhances safety and efficiency.

Once you have a clear understanding of what you’ll be towing—whether it’s a boat, RV, or horse trailer—you can make an informed decision when choosing the right SUV. This way, you’ll avoid purchasing a vehicle that exceeds your towing requirements, helping you save on both initial costs and long-term maintenance. Don’t wait too long—your ideal SUV for towing is out there, ready to meet your needs.


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