2. Curb Weight
Curb weight refers to the weight of a vehicle when the fuel tank is full, without any cargo or passengers. Because fuel efficiency has become important, you’ll find that lighter SUVs are still capable of towing trailers these days. While this might be a good option for some, other people feel they have more control when trailering if they drive a heavier tow vehicle.
3. Wheelbase
A vehicle’s wheelbase refers to the distance from the front axle to the rear axle. The wheelbase is crucial for stability and control. The longer your wheelbase is, the less chance you have for the towed object to weigh down your vehicle and lift the front axle.
4. Drive System
Another consideration to keep in mind is whether you want four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or rear-wheel drive. You’ll notice that in all of our options for the best SUVs for towing, we specified when one offered better overall towing capacity.
Most of the time, you’ll want rear-wheel drive to achieve the highest tow rating. This configuration directs all the power to the axle that bears the most weight. You can tow with 4WD or all-wheel-drive systems, though they typically have a lower total tow capacity. It’s not as optimal to tow with a front-wheel-drive vehicle.
5. Transmission
Of course, opinions abound about what transmission should be in the best SUV for towing. With newer SUV models, you likely won’t have the option to go with a manual transmission, as most modern SUVs are equipped with automatic transmissions.
The Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco are the exceptions that still offer a manual transmission option, on a few trim levels at least. Alternatively, you might be able to find older models in a manual.
The bottom line is that you’ll want whatever transmission — automatic or manual — that you’re most comfortable with. The more confidence you have, the easier towing becomes.
6. Chassis Design
SUVs and trucks often offer body-on-frame construction capable of towing heavy loads. Crossovers utilize a unibody design instead, which is similar to cars and not optimal for towing. The extra strength that the chassis provides in most SUVs and trucks, on the other hand, is designed for heavy tow duties.
7. Tow Package
You need more than just a ball hitch to tow effectively. If the manufacturer offers an optional tow package for the SUV you are considering, it’s normally well worth the investment.
Most times, the package offers suspension designed to carry heavier loads, more engine cooling, more transmission cooling, better brakes, and more appropriate gear ratios in the axles for towing heavy loads.
In fact, without a tow package, you won’t get the same tow rating capacity as what we’ve listed for most of the vehicles.
What About The …?
You might have noticed a couple of SUVs missing from this list, notably the Nissan Armada and the Ford Expedition. We’ve got good reasons for leaving these two models off the list, at least for now. We’ll update the list once they’re ready.
The Nissan Armada, which shares most of its parts with the Infiniti QX80, is expected to be all-new for 2025. Nissan hasn’t shown us the new one yet, so it can’t go on the list. The 2024 model, which is at dealers now, can tow up to 8,500 pounds and makes 400 horsepower from its 5.6L V8. We expect the 2025 model to offer similar towing capacity from a new engine. See the QX80 entry above for more details.
Ford’s Expedition is another capable tow beast, but, once again, it’s expected to get a redesign for 2025. The 2024 Ford Expedition can tow up to 9,200 pounds with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, and the long-wheelbase Expedition Max can tow up to 9,000. Both have a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 that puts out up to 400 horsepower.
Get One of the Best SUVs for Towing & Get Out on Your Next Adventure
There’s so much information about the best SUVs for towing. You’ll have to research and determine what you need before purchasing. Whether you opt for a midsize, full-size, or luxury SUV, it’s essential that you take the steps necessary to ensure you remain safe on the road. But once you’ve done your homework, imagine all the places you can tow with your new SUV.
