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Compare the best SUVs for towing

High-quality SUVs from rated and reviewed dealers

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Rated 4.6/5 from 47,788 reviews
Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line, front

Best SUVs for towing

We all like our family SUV to look good, however some buyers require a bit more substance. If you have heavy trailers or caravans to haul around, you’ll want something with plenty of torque and a good towing capacity. It also helps if the car is heavy to really show the caravan or trailer who’s boss.

Here’s a rundown of the top 10 towing SUVs.

Skoda Kodiaq

1. Skoda Kodiaq

9/10
Skoda Kodiaq review
Few SUVs on the market offer value for money like the Skoda Kodiaq. You get a high quality cabin, loads of interior space and plenty of kit. Go for a model with all-wheel-drive for the best towing ability. Either the 150hp or 200hp diesel models are the ones to choose.
Land Rover Defender

2. Land Rover Defender

9/10
Land Rover Defender review
The Land Rover Defender is probably the first car that comes to mind when you think of hard-core off-roading, however the latest model is also refined and well equipped. To add to this, it looks great as well with the boxy shape and chunky proportions. The engines have plenty of poke to cope with heavy caravans and trailers, and few cars are as stable as the big Land Rover when pulling a hefty horsebox or caravan.
Audi Q7

3. Audi Q7

9/10
Audi Q7 review
Battery range up to 34 miles
If you like your tow rig a bit more premium, the Audi Q7 is a good place to start. It’s a smart looking car, offers great equipment levels as standard and is properly comfortable to drive. It may not be the most engaging SUV to drive, however the diesel engine will offer plenty of pulling power. The plug-in hybrid makes a pretty handy tow car too.
BMW X5

4. BMW X5

9/10
BMW X5 review
Battery range up to 45 miles
Looking for something a bit more fun to drive? Check out the BMW X5. When you’ve not got the caravan in tow it’s pretty nimble for a big SUV, and the torquey 3.0-litre diesel engine makes hauling your home on wheels a breeze. Probably best to avoid the thirsty 3.0-litre petrol unless you’re dead set against diesel power, but the hybrid X5 50e is heavy, stable and very fuel-efficient.
Land Rover Discovery

5. Land Rover Discovery

8/10
Land Rover Discovery review
The Land Rover Discovery could be an ideal candidate if you like the look of the Defender, but want something a bit more plush. It offers similar off-road ability and towing capacity, while also being more luxurious and comfortable. Shame the styling won’t be to everyone's taste - it looks a bit bland compared to the Defender.
Porsche Cayenne

6. Porsche Cayenne

8/10
Porsche Cayenne review
SUVs have no business being as fun to drive as the Porsche Cayenne. You could be forgiven for thinking you're driving a sports car from behind the wheel, yet it still manages to be comfortable and is a capable tow car. If you want a diesel however, you’ll have to look elsewhere because the Cayenne doesn’t offer one. The Caravan & Motorhome Club have made the Cayenne Tow Car of the Year for 2024.
Range Rover Evoque

7. Range Rover Evoque

8/10
Range Rover Evoque review
The Evoque has one of the highest towing capacities among smaller SVs at 2000kg, and it's also rather swanky on the inside. Boot space isn't the car's srtongest suit, but it's classy and has a choice of one petrol or two diesel engines with four-wheel drive, plus a powerful plug-in hybrid alternative.
Mercedes GLE SUV

8. Mercedes GLE

7/10
Mercedes GLE SUV review
Battery range up to 57 miles
Mercedes knows how to design an interior, and you just have to look at the GLE to realise that. Everything is nice and plush, and the design is lovely and modern. As well as this, it’s comfortable, practical and well equipped. It’s a shame there’s only one petrol engine, but the diesels are smooth and punchy enough. They’re comfortably up to the job of pulling a heavy caravan or trailer.
Volkswagen Tiguan

9. Volkswagen Tiguan

8/10
Volkswagen Tiguan review
If you’ve come over all sensible, the Volkswagen Tiguan could be the right car for you. It’s well made, practical, comfortable and economical to run. It also offers decent towing capacity, as long as you go for the all-wheel-drive model; it’s stable while pulling a caravan, even on a breezy day. You’ll have to live with the fiddly touch-sensitive controls though.
Dacia Duster

10. Dacia Duster

6/10
Dacia Duster review
If it’s no-nonsense motoring you’re after, Dacia Duster is worth a look. It’s comfortable, practical and cheap to run. Plus, it offers 1,500kg of towing capacity if you go for the four-wheel-drive diesel model. It’s not the most exciting option, but it is one of the best value SUVs on the market – just compare the price with any of the other cars in our top 10.

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Advice about SUVs for towing

SUVS for towing FAQs

This depends entirely on which SUV you go for. The cheap and cheerful Dacia Duster will tow up to 1,500kg, whereas the more hardcore Land Rover Defender can haul up to three tonnes. It’s worth noting that both of the big caravanning clubs recommend towing no more than 85% of the car’s kerbweight, especially if you are new to towing. This helps to keep car and caravan (or trailer) stable at speed.

There are a selection of electric SUVs which can tow, however a lot of them won’t be able to pull as much as a petrol or diesel model. For example, the BMW iX3 has a towing capacity of 750kg, whereas the diesel powered xDrive 30d can tow up to 2,000kg. 

Some EVs have a decent towing capacity, such as the BMW iX at 2,500kg. Just keep in mind that hooking up a trailer will have a profound effect on the range. As a rough rule of thumb, reckon on halving the distance between charges compared with regular driving.

The Range Rover Evoque offers a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg, one of the highest of any small SUV on the market. It’s also got an upmarket cabin and looks great on the outside as well.

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