10 SUVs With the Best Towing Capacity

The SUVs with the best towing capacity are the Ford Expedition (up to roughly 9,300 lbs properly equipped), Jeep Wagoneer (around 10,000 lbs), and Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban (about 8,000+ lbs). Actual capacity varies sharply by engine and factory tow package — always verify the specific vehicle's equipment by VIN or window sticker.

If you tow a boat, camper, or car trailer, the SUV you pick — and more importantly, how it's equipped — determines whether the trip is uneventful or white-knuckled. Body-on-frame SUVs with truck bones dominate the top of this list, but a couple of unibody models tow far more than their crossover looks suggest.

Here's the trap that catches used buyers constantly: the headline tow rating you see in reviews applies to a specific configuration, usually with the factory heavy-duty tow package. The same model without that package can be rated thousands of pounds lower. Two visually identical Expeditions can differ by a ton or more of capacity. That's why every tip in this guide comes back to one habit: verify the actual build — engine, axle, tow package — by VIN and window sticker, never by the badge on the tailgate.

How we ranked this list

Maximum manufacturer tow rating when properly equipped, cross-checked against configuration fine print.
How much capacity depends on optional tow packages — models that tow well in base form score higher.
Towing aids: integrated trailer brake controllers, tow/haul modes, trailer sway control, and camera systems.
Powertrain durability reputation for sustained loaded towing, not just peak numbers.
Used-market availability and the ease of verifying tow equipment on a specific vehicle.

Ford Expedition (2018–2026) — Up to ~9,300 lbs properly equipped · Heavy-Duty Tow Package is the must-verify option · Pro Trailer Backup Assist available · Expedition MAX adds cargo room, similar rating
The Expedition's twin-turbo V6 tows up to roughly 9,300 lbs when properly equipped with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package — among the highest ratings of any SUV. Without that package the rating drops meaningfully, so on a used example, confirm the package on the original window sticker rather than trusting a hitch receiver someone may have bolted on later. Pro Trailer Backup Assist takes the pain out of ramp days.
Jeep Wagoneer (2022–2026) — Up to ~10,000 lbs on the right build · Torquey turbo inline-six standard on later years · Steep depreciation = used value · Confirm tow package and axle by VIN
Jeep's full-size flagship posts a maximum rating around 10,000 lbs on the right configuration — nominally the segment's biggest number. The standard turbocharged inline-six has torque to spare, and the ride quality while towing is genuinely plush. It's the newest nameplate here, so used supply is thinner and depreciation from high original MSRPs works in your favor.
Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban (2021–2026) — Up to ~8,400 lbs with Max Trailering · Available diesel for effortless highway towing · Huge used supply in every trim · Suburban trades a little capacity for space
The Tahoe and its long-wheelbase Suburban twin tow up to roughly 8,400 lbs with the Max Trailering Package, and the available duramax diesel is a quiet, efficient long-haul tow motor. GM's rating spread between base and Max Trailering builds is wide, so the window sticker matters here as much as anywhere. Enormous used inventory makes finding a properly equipped one realistic.
GMC Yukon / Yukon XL (2021–2026) — Up to ~8,400 lbs properly equipped · Trailering camera tech on upper trims · Denali luxury with truck capability · Equipment varies even within trims
Mechanically a Tahoe with nicer clothes, the Yukon posts similar ratings — up to roughly 8,400 lbs properly equipped — and adds GM's excellent trailering camera views on upper trims. Denali versions bundle most towing hardware, but don't assume: the Max Trailering content still varies by build. Same drill — verify the specific truck's equipment before you buy.
Toyota Sequoia (2023–2026) — Up to ~9,500 lbs (2023+ hybrid) · Standard hybrid powertrain, strong torque · Legendary Toyota longevity · Older generation still tows ~7,000+ lbs
The current-generation Sequoia's standard hybrid twin-turbo V6 tows up to roughly 9,500 lbs on the right configuration — a massive jump over the old V8 model — and every one carries Toyota's durability reputation. The trade-off is a cargo floor compromised by the hybrid battery. Earlier (2008–2022) Sequoias tow around 7,000+ lbs and are famously long-lived used buys.
Nissan Armada (2017–2026) — Up to ~8,500 lbs, mostly standard equipment · Less package-dependent than rivals · Undercuts domestic rivals used · V8 (to 2024) or twin-turbo V6 (2025+)
The Armada is the sleeper value: up to roughly 8,500 lbs of rating on most configurations, largely standard rather than locked behind an options package — a big deal on the used market where option verification trips people up. The 2025 redesign swapped the thirsty V8 for a twin-turbo V6 and kept the capability. Used prices consistently undercut GM and Ford equivalents.
Dodge Durango (2014–2026) — Up to ~8,700 lbs with V8 + tow package · V6 versions rated meaningfully lower · Car-like handling for the capability · Verify engine by VIN, not badges
The Durango is the rare three-row unibody that tows like a body-on-frame truck: up to roughly 8,700 lbs with the available V8 and tow package. V6 models are rated notably lower, so the engine choice is the whole ballgame — decode the VIN to confirm which one you're looking at, because HEMI badges are the most frequently swapped trim jewelry in the used market.
Jeep Grand Cherokee (2014–2026) — Up to ~7,200 lbs properly equipped · Midsize footprint, full-size-adjacent rating · Engine choice changes rating sharply · 4xe hybrid tows less — check the build
The two-row Grand Cherokee tows up to roughly 7,200 lbs with the right engine and package — outstanding for a midsize SUV. Older V8 and diesel variants carry the top ratings; base V6 and the newer four-cylinder 4xe hybrid are rated lower, around 6,000 lbs. It's the pick if you want real towing without parking a full-size rig.
Ford Explorer (2020–2026) — Up to ~5,600 lbs with Class III package · RWD-based platform aids stability · Wide used availability at fair prices · Package presence is sticker-verifiable
The rear-drive-based Explorer tows up to roughly 5,600 lbs with the Class III Tow Package and either turbo engine — enough for most boats and small campers. Without the package, the rating falls to around 5,000 lbs or less depending on year. It's the sensible choice when maximum capacity matters less than daily-driver manners and price.
Kia Telluride (Budget Pick) (2020–2026) — Up to ~5,000 lbs with factory tow prep · Best price-to-capability ratio here · Aftermarket hitch ≠ factory tow rating · Excellent family SUV the other 350 days
The budget pick tows up to roughly 5,000 lbs with the factory-installed tow hitch and self-leveling suspension option — genuinely useful capacity from a family crossover that costs thousands less than everything above it. Note that dealer- or owner-installed hitches don't change the rating or add the transmission-cooling hardware; the factory tow prep is what you're verifying on the sticker.

Buying tips

Never trust a hitch receiver as proof of a tow package. Factory packages add transmission coolers, upgraded radiators, wiring, and sometimes different axle ratios — a bolt-on hitch adds none of that. Pull the original window sticker by VIN to see exactly what the factory installed.
Decode the VIN to confirm the engine before negotiating. On the Durango, Grand Cherokee, and older Sequoia, the engine alone swings the tow rating by thousands of pounds.
Run a vehicle history report on any used tow rig. SUVs that towed heavily often show commercial use, out-of-state auction records, or driveline repairs — all visible in a $1 history check and all negotiating leverage.
Check the door-jamb placard and owner's manual for the specific vehicle's rating rather than quoting the model's maximum. The advertised number applies to one configuration, usually not the one on the lot.
Budget 10–15% below the rated maximum for real-world towing. Payload in the cabin — passengers, gear, tongue weight — counts against capacity, and running at the limit accelerates wear.
Verify open recalls by VIN before buying; brake, cooling, and trailer-wiring campaigns are common on heavy-tow SUVs and free to fix at a dealer.

Frequently asked questions

What SUV has the best towing capacity?

The Jeep Wagoneer posts the nominal maximum at around 10,000 lbs properly equipped, with the Toyota Sequoia (~9,500 lbs) and Ford Expedition (~9,300 lbs) close behind. All three ratings require specific factory tow equipment — the same models without it are rated substantially lower.

How do I know my SUV's actual towing capacity?

Check the specific vehicle, not the model: the door-jamb placard, the owner's manual for your configuration, and the original window sticker (retrievable by VIN) showing whether the factory tow package was installed. Advertised maximums apply only to properly equipped builds.

Does a tow package really matter that much?

Yes — it's often the difference of several thousand pounds. Factory tow packages add cooling capacity, wiring, hitch hardware, and sometimes shorter axle gearing. An aftermarket hitch bolted to a non-tow-package SUV does not raise its rating and omits the cooling hardware that protects the transmission.

What midsize SUV tows the most?

The Dodge Durango leads at up to roughly 8,700 lbs with the V8 and tow package, followed by the Jeep Grand Cherokee at up to roughly 7,200 lbs properly equipped. Both drop off sharply with base engines, so verify the powertrain by VIN before buying.

Is buying a used SUV that towed a trailer risky?

It can be — sustained heavy towing wears transmissions, brakes, and cooling systems faster. Look for service records showing fluid changes, and run the VIN through a history report to check for commercial use, auction history, and reported repairs before you commit.