Daily drivers with serious towing power.
There are so many reasons to buy an SUV. For starters, they are spacious and comfortable, and offer great off-road capabilities. While you can experience all these benefits almost on a daily basis, there is one more critical asset to consider: towing capacity.
When talking about towing, perhaps your first thought is of a rugged pickup truck. But depending on which vehicle you choose, an SUV can be more than capable of towing a small boat or trailer, while being a practical choice for the daily commute or school run, too.
To help you on your search, we've compiled a list of the 10 best SUVs for towing for 2020 shoppers, based on CarMax sales data and towing capacity estimates from June 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019. When properly equipped, any of these SUVs are capable of towing heavy loads for your next trip. Be aware that various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
- 2019 Nissan Pathfinder SV 3.5L - Estimated 6,000 lbs.1
- 2016 GMC Acadia SLE 3.6L - Estimated 5,200 lbs.1
- 2015 Infiniti QX60 3.5L -Estimated 5,000 lbs.1
- 2016 Toyota Highlander XLE 3.5L - Estimated 5,000 lbs.1
- 2016 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L - Estimated 5,000 lbs.1
- 2016 Infiniti QX60 3.5L - Estimated 5,000 lbs.1
- 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L - Estimated 5,000 lbs.1
- 2019 Kia Sorento LX 3.3L - Estimated 5,000 lbs.1
- 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2.4L - Estimated 4,500 lbs.1
- 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus 2.0L - Estimated 4,400 lbs.1
While pickup trucks have long been the go-to choice to satisfy towing needs, they have been getting some serious competition from SUVs in recent years. In addition to commendable towing capacity, these SUVs come with plenty of passenger room. In fact, the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder SV 3.5L and the 2017 Ford Explorer XLT 3.5L seat as many as seven passengers, thanks to a spacious third row.
Plus, these SUVs are equipped with some of the latest tech features that improve the overall riding experience. For instance, the 2019 Jeep Cherokee Latitude comes with cruise control, steering wheel controls, voice-activated radio, brake assist, rearview camera, and much more.
Infotainment systems are also part of the standard equipment on many SUVs. The UVO® system's eight-inch touchscreen on the 2019 Kia Sorento LX 3.3L supports smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. If a high-end interior, optimal comfort, and luxury details are among your priorities, then the 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus 2.0L could be the vehicle for you. It has leather heated front seats, dual-zone air-conditioning, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat.
These SUVs are also great daily drivers to help you easily navigate crowded streets, offering an ideal combination of convenience and utility.
Looking to narrow down your choices? Check out these related articles:
1Various factors may impact towing capacity, including weight of passengers, cargo, and options/accessories.
Unless otherwise noted, information related to these featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.