Need to tow something? You’ll want to check out one of the SUVs in this MotorTrend feature, which was originally published in May 2018. We’ve updated it with a couple new entries.
If you regularly tow heavy items such as ATVs, jet skis, RVs, or boats and prefer the fully enclosed cargo area of an SUV instead of the bed of a pickup truck, you’ve come to the right place. Large SUVs and crossovers offer plenty of room for passengers and cargo, and some can tow as much as trucks when properly equipped. Below is a list of the top 15 towing SUVs and crossovers, arranged by ascending towing capacity, from 7,500 pounds to almost 5 tons. To give you some reference, a fully loaded Honda CR-V weighs about 3,500 pounds. So uncover that big motorboat, and get your gear ready for the water.
Read our Big SUV comparison right here!
BMW X7: 7,500 Pounds
The new-for-2019 BMW X7 is already quick with its standard six-cylinder engine, but the German automaker also offers a 523-hp X7 M50i model powered by a twin-turbo V-8. With either engine, BMW rates the X7 to tow as much as 7,500 pounds.
Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class: 7,700 Pounds
Mercedes’ largest SUV has been redesigned for the 2020 model year, and it’s rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds with any engine option; that’s 200 pounds above the last-gen model and matches the also-new 2020 GLE midsize luxury SUV. Learn about the 2020 GLS here.
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class: 7,700 Pounds
With the new 2020 GLE, even the V-6 base engine in the GLE 350 is rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds.
Audi Q7: 7,700 Pounds
The 7,700-pound towing capacity is basically the same as the Q7’s platform partner, the Bentley Bentayga. However, the Q7 meets this capacity using a much smaller engine, a 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 that produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft.
Porsche Cayenne: 7,716 Pounds
The Cayenne is powered by one of four engines: a 335-hp turbocharged V-6, a 434-hp twin-turbo V-6, a 541-hp twin-turbo V-8, or a 455-hp hybrid powertrain. Regardless of the engine, the Cayenne’s towing capacity sits at 7,716 pounds.
Range Rover and Range Rover Sport: 7,716 Pounds
Almost every engine Land Rover puts into U.S.-spec Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports are rated to tow up to 7,716 pounds, even the new inline-six. A towing hitch is included, but an available towing package includes a hitch receiver and a towing assist feature.
Bentley Bentayga: 7,716 Pounds
One of the most expensive SUVs on the market has a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The exclusive SUV is powered by a W-12 engine that creates 600 hp and 664 lb-ft—read about the new 542-hp V-8 model here. In some markets, the Bentayga offers an electronically retracting tow bar, and a plug-in turbo-six-powered hybrid is on the way.
Toyota Land Cruiser: 8,100 Pounds
Toyota’s luxurious off-roader maxes out at 8,100 pounds with its full-time four-wheel-drive system. The Land Cruiser’s 5.7-liter V-8 cranks out 381 hp and 401 lb-ft, and a towing hitch is standard.
Land Rover Discovery: 8,201 Pounds
You might assume that the Discovery’s turbodiesel V-6 would be the top engine for towing, but it’s actually the gasoline engine. The 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 produces 340 hp and 332 lb-ft and can tow an impressive 8,201 pounds. When equipped with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel, maximum towing drops to 7,716 pounds. A towing hitch is included.
Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV: 8,300 Pounds
Cadillac’s Escalade comes with a maximum towing rating of 8,300 pounds (8,100 with four-wheel drive) thanks in part to the 6.2-liter V-8 that makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The longer ESV model is rated at 8,100 pounds (7,900 with four-wheel drive).
Nissan Armada: 8,500 Pounds
With an 8,500-pound towing capacity, the full-size body-on-frame Armada comes in just ahead of the Escalade. A 5.6-liter V-8 that churns out 390 hp and 394 lb-ft does the pulling, and that rating applies to rear- and four-wheel-drive models. A Class IV trailer hitch is included.
Infiniti QX80: 8,500 Pounds
Rated at 400 hp and 413 lb-ft from the same 5.6-liter V-8 as the Armada, the Infiniti QX80 has the same 8,500-pound maximum rating. Like the Armada, the QX80 comes with a Class IV trailer hitch.
GMC Yukon/Yukon XL: 8,500 Pounds
The lighter Yukon edges out the heavier Yukon XL: 8,500 pounds over the XL’s 8,300-pound towing capacity. To get the maximum rating, you’ll need the 355-hp, 383-lb-ft 5.3-liter V-8 with rear-wheel drive and the Trailering package. If you opt for the Yukon Denali and its 420-hp, 460-lb-ft 6.2-liter V-8, maximum towing decreases slightly to 8,400 pounds.
Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban: 8,600 Pounds
Although the Tahoe and Suburban are mechanically related to the Yukon and Yukon XL, the Tahoe carries a maximum towing rating 100 pounds higher than the Yukon. The Suburban is even with the Yukon XL model’s 8,300-pound capacity. Both Chevrolets use the same 5.3-liter V-8 found in the GMCs; with the optional 6.2-liter V-8, the Tahoe and Suburban can tow up to 8,400 and 8,100 pounds, respectively.
Dodge Durango: 8,700 Pounds
The surprise bronze finisher can tow up to an impressive 8,700 pounds, but that’s only with the top SRT model, which packs a 6.4-liter V-8 producing 475 hp and 470 lb-ft—the SRT can also hit 60 mph in a quick 4.6 seconds. The available 5.7-liter V-8 can tow 7,200 pounds, and the standard 3.6-liter V-6 has a maximum rating of 6,200 pounds. The Trailer Tow package is required.
Lincoln Navigator/Navigator L: 8,700 Pounds
The Expedition’s premium stablemate, the Navigator, takes the second spot with a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. The longer L model has a max capacity of 8,400 pounds. The Lincoln uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 tuned to produce 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. The Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package and rear-wheel drive are required for the highest rating.
Ford Expedition/Expedition Max: 9,300 Pounds
With a maximum towing capacity of 9,300 pounds, Ford’s new Expedition is the towing champ of SUVs and crossovers. The 375-hp, 470-lb-ft 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 powerplant backed by a 10-speed automatic provides the pulling power, and that can be increased to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft in the Platinum trim. The longer-wheelbase Max model is rated at 9,000 pounds. Like the Navigator, the Heavy Duty Trailer Tow package and two-wheel drive are required for maximum capacity.
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