Subaru Towing Capacity Calculator: The Ascent Leads, the Symmetrical AWD Backs It Up
Subaru built its whole identity on standard all-wheel drive and boxer engines rather than big towing numbers, so the Ascent's genuine 5,000 lb figure tends to surprise people who assume the brand tops out at bike racks and kayak straps. This calculator gives every current Subaru the honest figure it actually earned, whether that's genuinely useful or simply not there.
Subaru towing calculator
Set Up Your Subaru
Look on the windscreen through the driver's side glass, the door jamb sticker, or your registration paperwork.
Your Result
Pick a model or drop in a VIN
Choose a Subaru trim or decode your VIN, check the pre-filled numbers, add what you're carrying, then hit Run the Numbers.
The six checks
Standards used
- Tow rating:
SAE J2807 - Hitch class:
SAE J684 - GVWR / payload:
FMVSS 110 - Trailer electrics:
ISO 11992,ISO 1724 - VIN structure:
ISO 3779
A brand built on grip, not bragging rights, that quietly built one genuine puller
Owners after a figure specific to their exact car rather than a brochure average should use the Subaru towing capacity by VIN feature above, since engine and trim choice on the Outback genuinely shift the certified number between the turbocharged and naturally aspirated variants. The Ascent leads the range with genuine three-row capability, the Outback follows with a strong figure on turbo variants, the Forester holds a modest but real number, and the Impreza, Legacy, WRX and Solterra simply were not built with a tow bar in mind, which this calculator states plainly.
The three-row leader
Up to 5,000 lb, Subaru's highest figure and a genuinely strong number for the segment.
Turbo makes the difference
Up to 3,500 lb on turbo variants, 2,700 lb on naturally aspirated engines.
Modest but real
Up to 1,500 lb, enough for a small utility trailer or a couple of jet skis.
No guessed numbers
Impreza, Legacy, WRX and Solterra get a clear not-rated notice, not a fabricated figure.
The full Subaru towing capacity chart
Every trim below loads straight into the calculator with a single click. Models with no published towing figure are marked plainly rather than left to guesswork.
| Model / trim | Tow rating | GVWR | Payload | Curb weight |
|---|
Getting a result in five steps
Enter VIN
Decodes model, engine and tow package fitment.
Check the numbers
Cross-check against your Subaru towing capacity chart.
Load it up
Add passengers and cargo before the trailer.
Add the trailer
Loaded weight and tongue target.
Read the checks
Payload, GVWR, GCWR, tow, tongue, hitch.
How the figures are worked out
SAE J2807
Ratings for the Ascent, Outback and Forester with the factory tow package follow J2807 test methodology.
VIN structure (ISO 3779)
The 17-character VIN carries WMI, VDS and VIS segments encoding model, engine and equipment used to pin down your real figure.
Payload checked first
Tongue weight and cargo are weighed against payload before tow rating, since payload is where a loaded Outback or Ascent often runs short first.
FMVSS 110
GVWR and payload definitions plus the certification label rules that apply across the current lineup.
SAE J684
Hitch class matched to trailer weight, Class II for lighter loads scaling to Class III on a fully equipped Ascent.
More towing tools worth pairing with an Ascent or Outback
Hummer EV and classic H2 towing hub
Another genuine off-road-capable AWD story, useful context against the Ascent's own family-focused figure.
Hyundai Palisade and Santa Cruz towing hub
A mainstream three-row and pickup comparison for buyers weighing an Ascent against something newer.
Infiniti QX80 and QX60 towing hub
A luxury SUV comparison for buyers curious how a premium badge stacks up against Subaru's own real figures.
Isuzu D-Max and MU-X towing hub
A ladder-chassis ute and SUV comparison, both brands built around genuine load-carrying duty.
MG RX8 and HS towing hub
A value-focused comparison for buyers weighing a Forester against a newer market entrant.
Mitsubishi Triton and Pajero Sport towing hub
Another Japanese engineering comparison, both brands built around genuine mechanical credibility.
Nissan Titan and Pathfinder towing hub
A genuine full-size truck and SUV comparison, well beyond the Ascent's own crossover-class figure.
Plymouth Grand Voyager towing capacity
A discontinued badge's genuine minivan figure, an interesting historical contrast to Subaru's still-active lineup.
Porsche Cayenne towing capacity
A performance badge SUV that also surprises with a genuinely serious tow rating, much like the Ascent's own story.
Rivian R1T and R1S towing hub
An electric truck and SUV comparison, worth weighing against the Solterra's own lack of a towing package.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Subaru Ascent towing capacity?
The Ascent is rated to tow up to 5,000 lb on all trims with the factory tow package, Subaru's highest towing figure across the entire current lineup.
Can the Subaru Outback tow a small camper?
Yes. The Outback is rated to tow up to 3,500 lb on turbocharged variants with the factory tow package, and up to 2,700 lb on the naturally aspirated engine.
Does the Subaru Forester have a towing rating?
Yes, though modestly. The Forester is rated to tow up to 1,500 lb with the factory tow package fitted, enough for a small utility trailer or a couple of jet skis.
Do the Impreza, Legacy, WRX and Solterra have a towing rating?
No. The Impreza and Legacy are sedans and hatchbacks without a factory tow bar, the WRX is a performance sedan never engineered for towing, and the Solterra was also not given a towing package at launch.