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SUV towing capacity chart (2026): every size, every type

Updated May 2026 Sourced from manufacturer specs · SAE J2807 rated 40+ models covered

How we built this chart: All towing figures are maximum ratings pulled directly from manufacturer towing guides and configurators, cross-referenced with SAE J2807 test data. Max ratings assume proper equipment (tow package, correct drivetrain). Actual safe towing capacity depends on your specific trim, load, and conditions — always verify on your door jamb sticker or owner's manual.

10,300
Highest rated lbs (Hummer EV)
1,500
Lowest typical small SUV LBS
40+
Models in this chart
5
Categories covered

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Full-size SUVs

Towing capacity: 8,000 – 10,300 lbs

Body-on-frame full-size SUVs dominate towing. Most share platforms with full-size trucks and require a factory tow package for maximum ratings. All figures below are SAE J2807-rated max with proper equipment.

Make & modelYearMax towingKey requirementDrivetrainSegment
GMC Hummer EV SUV202610,300 lbs2X dual-motor trim4WDElectric
Jeep Grand Wagoneer202610,000 lbsHD Trailer Tow Package4WDGas
Jeep Grand Wagoneer L20269,860 lbsHD Trailer Tow Package4WDGas
Ford Expedition (4WD)20269,600 lbsStandard4WDGas
Toyota Sequoia20259,520 lbsRWD SR5 trimRWDHybrid
Lexus GX 550 Overtrail20259,096 lbsStandard4WDGas
Ford Expedition Max (4WD)20269,000 lbsStandard4WDGas
Chevrolet Tahoe20258,400 lbs5.3L V8 + Max TraileringRWDGas
GMC Yukon20258,400 lbs5.3L V8 + Max TraileringRWDGas
Nissan Armada20258,500 lbsStandard (Class IV hitch incl.)RWD/4WDGas
Infiniti QX8020258,500 lbsStandardRWD/4WDGas
Lincoln Navigator20258,700 lbsHD Trailer Tow + 22" wheels4WDGas
Cadillac Escalade20258,100 lbsStandard tow packageRWD/4WDGas
Lexus LX 60020258,000 lbsStandard4WDGas

⚠ The plain Jeep Wagoneer (non-Grand) is discontinued for 2026. Chevrolet Suburban matches Tahoe ratings with slightly lower max figures.

Need the exact number for your trim? Use our free vehicle-specific towing calculator — select your year, make, model, and engine to get the precise rating for your configuration.

Midsize SUVs Capacity

Towing capacity: 3,500 – 7,700 lbs

Midsize SUVs cover the widest towing range. Some truck-based models like the Dodge Durango compete directly with full-size SUVs. Unibody crossovers (Explorer, Highlander) cap out around 5,000–5,600 lbs.

Make & modelYearMax towingKey requirementBody typePowertrain
Dodge Durango SRT20258,700 lbsTow 'n Go PackageUnibodyGas V8
Land Rover Defender 11020268,200 lbsTwin-turbo V8 P530/P615UnibodyGas
Range Rover (V8)20258,200 lbsTowing Package + P530/P615UnibodyGas
Jeep Grand Cherokee (V8)20257,200 lbs5.7L V8 + Tow Prep GroupUnibodyGas
Audi Q7 (3.0L inline-6)20257,700 lbsTow Package + inline-6UnibodyGas
BMW X720257,500 lbsFactory tow hitchUnibodyGas
Toyota 4Runner (gas)20256,000 lbsStandardBody-on-frameGas
Toyota Land Cruiser20256,000 lbsStandardBody-on-frameHybrid
Ford Explorer (gas)20255,600 lbs3.0L V6 + Tow PackageUnibodyGas
Toyota Highlander (gas)20255,000 lbsStandardUnibodyGas
Chevrolet Traverse20265,000 lbsTrailering PackageUnibodyGas
Jeep Grand Cherokee (V6)20256,200 lbs3.6L V6 + Tow Prep GroupUnibodyGas
Honda Pilot20265,000 lbsTow PackageUnibodyGas
Hyundai Palisade20255,000 lbsStandardUnibodyGas
GMC Acadia20255,000 lbsTrailering PackageUnibodyGas
Kia Telluride20255,000 lbsStandardUnibodyGas
Chevrolet Blazer (V6)20264,500 lbsV6 + Trailering Equip. PackageUnibodyGas
Toyota Grand Highlander (gas)20255,000 lbsStandardUnibodyGas
Mazda CX-90 (gas)20255,000 lbsTow packageUnibodyGas
Lexus RX 35020253,500 lbsFactory tow hitchUnibodyGas
Small / compact SUVs

Towing capacity: 1,500 – 3,500 lbs

Compact SUVs are capable of light towing — enough for a small boat, jet ski, utility trailer, or pop-up camper. Most require a factory tow hitch option. RWD configurations often allow higher ratings where available.

Make & modelYearMax towingNotes / requirementPowertrain
Toyota RAV4 (Trail / TRD)20243,500 lbsTrail or TRD trim onlyGas
Ford Escape20263,500 lbsTow packageGas
Subaru Forester20253,000 lbsStandard AWDGas
Honda CR-V (gas)20251,500 lbsClass I hitchGas
Mazda CX-520252,000 lbsTow hitch optionGas
Kia Sportage (gas)20252,500 lbsStandardGas
Hyundai Tucson (gas)20252,000 lbsStandardGas
Toyota Corolla Cross20251,500 lbsStandardGas
Volkswagen Tiguan (AWD)20251,800 lbsAWD requiredGas
Subaru Outback20253,500 lbsStandard AWDGas
Ford Bronco Sport20252,200 lbsStandardGas
Jeep Compass20252,000 lbsStandardGas
Nissan Rogue20251,500 lbsStandardGas

⚠ The Toyota RAV4 base (2025) dropped to 1,500 lbs after the Adventure/TRD trims were discontinued. If towing 3,500 lbs is a priority, buy a 2024 model or opt for the RAV4 PHEV.

Hybrid SUVs Tow Chart

Gas vs hybrid towing comparison

Hybrid powertrains generally reduce towing capacity vs gas equivalents — but not always. Some full-size hybrids (Sequoia, 4Runner) maintain near-identical ratings. Compact hybrids take the biggest hit. PHEVs vary significantly depending on whether the battery is charged.

ModelGas max towingHybrid max towingDifferenceType
Toyota Sequoia—9,520 lbsHybrid onlyHEV
Toyota 4Runner6,000 lbs6,000 lbsNo changeHEV
Toyota Land Cruiser—6,000 lbsHybrid onlyHEV
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe6,200 lbs (V6)6,000 lbs−200 lbsPHEV
Ford Explorer5,600 lbs5,000 lbs−600 lbsHEV
Toyota Highlander5,000 lbs3,500 lbs−1,500 lbsHEV
Toyota Grand Highlander5,000 lbs5,000 lbsNo changeHEV MAX
Lexus RX 350h3,500 lbs3,500 lbsNo changeHEV
Hyundai Tucson2,000 lbs2,000 lbsNo changeHEV
Hyundai Santa Fe3,500 lbs3,500 lbsNo changeHEV
Toyota RAV41,500 lbs (2025)1,750 lbs+250 lbsHEV
Toyota RAV4 Prime / PHEV1,500 lbs3,500 lbs+2,000 lbsPHEV
Kia Sportage Hybrid2,500 lbs2,000 lbs−500 lbsHEV
Kia Sorento Hybrid3,500 lbs1,654 lbs−1,846 lbsHEV
BMW X5 xDrive45e7,200 lbs5,952 lbs−1,248 lbsPHEV

⚠ PHEV towing capacity can decrease when the battery is depleted. Always check your owner's manual for towing limits in EV-only vs hybrid modes.

Electric SUVs (BEV)

Electric SUV towing capacity

Electric SUVs can tow surprisingly well, but range loss is significant — expect 40–60% range reduction when towing near maximum capacity. Plan charging stops accordingly.

Make & modelYearMax towingEst. range loss towingNotes
GMC Hummer EV SUV 2X202610,300 lbs~50%+Skip Extreme Off-Road pkg
Rivian R1S20257,700 lbs~40–50%Quad or Dual motor
Tesla Model X20255,000 lbs~40%Requires factory tow hitch
Tesla Model Y20263,500 lbs~35%Optional Tow Package
Kia EV9 (AWD)20255,000 lbs~45%Long Range AWD
Volkswagen ID.4 (AWD)20252,700 lbs~40%Dual motor AWD
Toyota bZ4X2025Not ratedN/AToyota does not recommend towing

What can you tow at each capacity level?

1,500–2,000 lbs
Small utility trailer, 2 jet skis, motorcycle trailer, lightweight cargo box
2,000–3,500 lbs
Small boat (18'), pop-up camper, small SUV towing capacity limits, ATV trailer
3,500–5,000 lbs
Mid-size travel trailer, 22' pontoon boat, 2-horse trailer, small 5th wheel
5,000–7,500 lbs
Large travel trailer (28'), 3-horse trailer, large pontoon, bumper-pull RV
7,500–10,000+ lbs
5th wheel RV, large boat (25'+), loaded car trailer, large camper

Weights above are approximate. Always verify actual loaded trailer weight including gear, water, and passengers. The 80/20 rule: never exceed 80% of your rated max for regular towing.

TC
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Verified against manufacturer towing guides · Last reviewed May 2026 · Manufacturer configurators, SAE J2807 documentation

Frequently asked questions

Which SUV has the highest towing capacity in 2026?
The GMC Hummer EV SUV leads with 10,300 lbs for the 2026 model year, followed by the Jeep Grand Wagoneer at 10,000 lbs. Among non-electric SUVs, the Grand Wagoneer holds the top spot when equipped with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package.
Do hybrid SUVs tow less than gas SUVs?
Not always. Full-size hybrid SUVs like the Toyota Sequoia and 4Runner maintain similar or identical ratings to gas equivalents. Compact hybrids (Kia Sorento Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid) see reductions of 1,000–1,800 lbs. PHEVs like the RAV4 Prime can actually tow more than the base gas model.
Why does my SUV tow less than the advertised maximum?
Published max ratings assume: a specific drivetrain (often RWD), a specific engine, an optional tow package, minimal cargo, and one occupant. Choosing AWD, loading passengers, or skipping the factory tow package all reduce your safe limit. Check the yellow door jamb sticker for your vehicle's specific rating.
What is SAE J2807 and why does it matter?
SAE J2807 is a standardized towing test procedure adopted by most manufacturers since 2011–2013. It tests sustained grades, temperature extremes, and stability. Ratings from before this standard may be inflated compared to post-J2807 numbers for the same model family.
Can a small SUV tow a camper?
Yes — many lightweight and teardrop campers weigh 1,500–3,500 lbs loaded. Models like the Subaru Outback (3,500 lbs), Ford Escape (3,500 lbs), and Toyota RAV4 Trail (3,500 lbs) are well-matched to these trailers. Always verify the loaded trailer weight including water, gear, and passengers.
Data disclaimer: All figures represent maximum published tow ratings when properly equipped. Actual safe towing capacity varies by specific trim, engine, drivetrain, options, load, altitude, temperature, and hitch class. Always verify your vehicle's rating on the door jamb sticker, owner's manual, or manufacturer configurator before towing. Do not tow at or above the manufacturer's maximum without appropriate safety equipment. TowingCalculator.net is not liable for towing decisions made based on this data.

Sources: Manufacturer towing guides (Toyota, Ford, GM, Stellantis, Hyundai, Kia, Rivian, Tesla, BMW, Land Rover), SAE J2807 standard documentation.
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