10 SUVs With The Highest Towing Capacity

It’s no secret that many SUVs have lost their truck-like capability. For the last two decades, automakers have been moving away from truck-based, body-on-frame designs, because consumers want a more comfortable ride and better use of space. But these new car-based SUVs, or “crossovers,” aren’t always up to the task of towing.

As driving becomes the preferred way to travel this year, SUVs that can haul the entire family and tow the outdoor toys are in high demand. Anyone with serious towing requirements knows pickup trucks can pull the most, with many full-size models posting maximum tow ratings beyond 10,000 pounds. But pickups lack abundant occupant capacity — so if you need to carry lots of people and tow a heavy trailer, an SUV is your best bet.

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Which models have the highest capacity?

We ranked the top 10 best SUVs for towing for 2021 by advertised maximum trailer ratings, using minimum trailer ratings and lower base price, in that order, as tiebreakers where necessary.

Note, all capacities on our list should be comparable because all 10 SUVs are rated using SAE International’s J2807 methodology — which stipulates a battery of tests with two occupants aboard, among other things — for apples-to-apples specs. That hasn’t been the case in years past.

10. Land Rover Discovery – 8,200 pounds

2021 Land Rover Discovery

9. Land Rover Defender – 8,201 pounds

2021 Land Rover Defender

8. Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV – 8,200 pounds/8,100 pounds

2021 Cadillac Escalade

7. GMC Yukon, Yukon XL – 8,400 pounds/8,300 pounds

2021 GMC Yukon

6. Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban – 8,400 pounds/8,300 pounds

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

5. Infiniti QX80 – 8,500 pounds

2021 Infiniti QX80

4. Nissan Armada – 8,500 pounds

2021 Nissan Armada

3. Lincoln Navigator, Navigator L – 8,700 pounds

2021 Lincoln Navigator

2. Dodge Durango SRT, R/T – 8,700 pounds

2021 Dodge Durango SRT

1. Ford Expedition, Expedition Max – 9,300 pounds

2021 Ford Expedition

Top 10 SUVs for Towing Capacity

• Ford Expedition: 9,300 pounds
• Dodge Durango SRT, R/T: 8,700 pounds
• Lincoln Navigator: 8,700 pounds
• Nissan Armada: 8,500 pounds
• Infiniti QX80: 8,500 pounds
• Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevy Suburban: 8,400 pounds/8,300 pounds
• GMC Yukon,Yukon XL: 8,400 pounds/8,300 pounds
• Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV: 8,200 pounds/8,100 pounds
• Land Rover Defender: 8,201 pounds
• Land Rover Discovery: 8,200 pounds

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