10 Crossovers with Not That Surprisingly High Towing Capacities

2016 Audi Q5 ・ Photo by Audi

It has long been an accepted bit of wisdom that if you need to tow anything bigger than a lawn trailer, you should invest in either a pickup truck or a fullsize, truck-based SUV. While this advice might hold true for those looking to tow in the neighborhood of 9,000 to 10,000 lbs, drivers who need to haul around boat trailers, small car trailers or camping trailers can often satisfy their requirements with a crossover vehicle. Crossovers, which typically offer better ride comfort and handling than a traditional truck, have seen their towing capacities increase substantially as technological improvements have strengthened platforms and coaxed better power from smaller engines. Let’s take a look at 10 crossovers that offer high tow ratings.

1) 2016 Chevrolet Traverse — 5,200 lbs

The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse is the largest crossover offered by the domestic brand, and in addition to its available 8-passenger seating and 117.5 cubic feet of total cargo space, it offers up to 5,200 lbs of towing capacity. The Traverse’s long, stable wheelbase provides good load stability, and its available trailer wire harness, trailer hitch and heavy duty cooling system help to prepare the crossover for tow duty. The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that can produce 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque when equipped with an optional dual exhaust system. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard, while all-wheel drive is available on every model. Fuel mileage for the Chevrolet Traverse checks in at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

Photo by General Motors

2) 2017 Audi Q7 — 7,700 lbs

The redesigned 2017 Audi Q7 is another large crossover that surprises with its towing prowess. Just one engine is available in the new Q7 for this year, a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes 333 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. This comes matched with am 8-speed automatic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive, as well as Audi Drive Select, which offers four driving modes. When properly equipped, the 2017 Q7 can tow up to 7,700 lbs. When it’s not pulling a heavy load, this Audi achieves great fuel economy for its class.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

3) 2016 Ford Flex — 4,500 lbs

The 2016 Ford Flex doesn’t much look like a traditional crossover, thanks to its retro-wagon styling and relatively car-like ride height. Despite its first impression, the Flex can be set up to tow as much as 4,500 lbs, in addition to its 7-passenger seating capacity and 83 cubic feet of total cargo space. The 2016 Ford Flex also offers the choice of two different drivetrain options. The first is a 3.7-liter V6 mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and the choice of either front- or all-wheel drive. Fuel mileage for this configuration of the Flex is rated at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. Those seeking a more performance-oriented ride can find it in the Flex EcoBoost, which installs a twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard, and fuel mileage shows as a very competitive 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

Photo by Ford

4) 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class — 7,500 lbs

The Mercedes-Benz GL-Class isn’t cheap, but this large luxury SUV offers three adult-friendly rows of seating, a handful of different powerful engine choices, an towing capacity of up to 7,500 lbs. On top of that, it’s loaded with upscale comfort features that make it one of the most luxurious vehicles on our list of crossovers with good towing capacity. The GL-Class range starts with a 240-horsepower turbodiesel and tops out at a 550-horsepower twin-turbo V8. All-wheel drive and a 7-speed automatic transmission come with each option.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz Media

5) 2016 GMC Acadia — 5,200 lbs

The 2016 GMC Acadia shares its platform with the Chevrolet Traverse, adding tweaks such as the availability of the Denali luxury trim (which significantly upgrades the vehicle’s list of comfort features) and revised styling within and without. The Acadia offers the same 5,200 lbs of towing capacity found in the Traverse, as well as just over 116 cubic feet of cargo room. Three rows of seating provide accommodations for as many as eight passengers. The 2016 GMC Acadia’s 3.6-liter V6 engine puts out 288 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, managed by a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is option on the fullsize crossover, and front-wheel drive editions of the Acadia return fuel mileage of 17 mpg around town and 24 mpg on the highway.

Photo by General Motors

6) 2016 Acura MDX — 5,000 lbs

The 2016 Acura MDX is another seldom considered tow rig from the ranks of the luxury crowd, but it can tow up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped. The premium SUV also offers 7-passenger seating across three rows, along with the ability to fold those accommodations forward and haul up to 90.9 cubic feet of gear. The 2016 Acura MDX is built with only a single engine option under the hood: a 3.5-liter V6 unit that provides 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, along with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. Fuel mileage for the 2016 MDX shows as 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

7) 2016 BMW X5 — 6,000 lbs

BMW tends to focus on the sporty performance offered by the 2016 BMW X5 midsize crossover, but the nimble SUV also manages to provide a substantial amount of towing grunt to go with its impressive acceleration times. The BMW X5 is rated to tow up to 6,000 lbs, which is a bonus on top of its optional 7-passenger seating and 66 cubic feet of available cargo space. The 2016 BMW X5 starts out with a 3.0-liter, inline 6-cylinder engine that makes use of a turbocharger to grind out 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque while offering fuel mileage of 19 mpg around town and 27 mpg on the highway. A V8 upgrade is available in the form of a 4.4-liter unit that slaps on two turbochargers and offers up 445 horses and 480 lb-ft of torque. Fuel mileage drops considerably for this motor, showing as 15 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway. A turbodiesel engine – again displacing 3.0 liters and offering six cylinders – can also be had with the X5, and it generates 255 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque while offering the best fuel economy numbers of all three drivetrain options (24 mpg city and 31 mpg highway).

Photo by BMW

8) 2016 Volvo XC90 — 5,952 lbs

All new for 2016, the latest Volvo XC90 has more than just safety on the menu. This fullsize crossover can tow just under 6,000 lbs, and it also comes complete with 7-passenger seating and room for 85.7 cubic feet of storage with the second and third rows stowed. The 2016 Volvo XC90 starts out by offering a stout 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, featuring both a turbocharger and a supercharger, between the front fenders, bringing 316 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque to the table. A hybrid version is also offered with the latest generation XC90, but it probably isn’t the best option to hitch up a trailer.

Photo by Volvo

9) 2016 Toyota Highlander — 5,000 lbs

The 2016 Toyota Highlander performs admirably in its dual role as high capacity people mover (three rows of seating for as many as eight passengers) and capable weekend hauler (5,000 lbs of trailer capacity). The Highlander can even lug 83.7 cubic feet of gear behind the front seats with its rear accommodations folded out of the picture. The 2016 Toyota Highlander starts out by offering drivers a 2.7-liter, 4-cylinder engine that provides 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, harnessed by a 6-speed automatic transmission. While this motor provides reasonable fuel economy (20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway), those interested in towing will need to opt for the Highlander’s available 3.5-liter V6. This unit generates 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque and maintains the smaller motor’s 6-speed auto gearbox. For 2016, the towing package comes standard with all V6 Highlanders.

Photo by Toyota

10) 2016 Audi Q5 — 4,400 lbs

The second Audi to make this list, the 2016 Q5, offers a lot of punch in a relatively small package. This premium crossover isn't exactly the first vehicle that comes to mind when one thinks about towing, so prepare to be surprised. The 2016 Audi Q5 offers towing capacity of 4,400 lbs when equipped with its available supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, which makes 272 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s a solid combination for this entry-level crossover, and it shows that a truck isn’t always necessary to tow a trailer.