10 Best Large Crossovers for Towing

The best large crossovers for towing match excellent day-to-day practicality with the ability to get the job done when your cargo needs spill out past what can be stuffed behind the front two seats. The average weight of any given trailer load in the United States is around 3,500 lbs - so why does the dominant marketing message tell us that we all need to be driving full-size trucks if we want to hitch up and roll out? Crossovers offer a more comfortable and easy-to-drive option for anyone who needs to tow on a regular basis, and full-size models are far more capable than one might think at getting the job done.

Let’s take a quick look at the 10 best large crossovers for towing and see how they stack up against each other.

The 2016 Chevrolet Traverse and its two mechanical twins - the 2016 GMC Acadia and the 2016 Buck Enclave - are the largest crossovers built by General Motors. That being said, their size really isn't much of a handicap when it comes to handling, as the three-row people movers drive much more like large sedans than trucks, giving them a leg up when it comes to comfort. Their sturdy construction also gives the Chevrolet Traverse and the GMC Acadia a respectable tow rating of 5,200 lbs, which is more than enough to handle the majority of their owners' needs. The Buick Enclave is slightly lower down the towing totem pole at 4,500 lbs of maximum capacity, despite the fact that all three vehicles are motivated by the same 3.6-liter, up-to-288 horsepower V-6 engine that is also good for 270 lb-ft of torque.

Once upon a time, the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder was a rugged body-on-frame SUV more suited for off-road driving than a mall parking lot, but the current model has moved to a crossover-style design that prizes passenger room (up to seven) over all-terrain ruggedness. The Nissan Pathfinder's bulk also gives it an advantage when towing, as it's rated at a respectable 5,000 lbs of trailer weight - an achievement made possible in part by its 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 260 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is also available with the Pathfinder.

The 2017 Audi Q7 walks the line between crossover and SUV a little more closely than any other member of this list, and this is reflected in its hefty tow rating. Leading the way with 7,700 lbs of trailering capacity, the completely redesigned Audi Q7 is very hard to beat for buyers who need to maximize towing without stepping up into the full-size SUV segment. A 333-horsepower, 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 is standard with the Q7, and its 325 lb-ft of torque are routed through quattro all-wheel drive. Inside, the new Audi crossover is larger and comfier than the model it replaces, and it maintains three rows of seating.

The 2016 Acura MDX is one of the Japanese luxury brand's most popular models, and it's easy to see why. Three rows of premium accommodations and generous cargo space are backed by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that generates 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, with the option of Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system to enhance both traction and performance. Hitch up a trailer, and the Acura MDX also shines, providing 5,000 lbs of towing capacity to go with its long list of active safety features and array of high end equipment.

The 2016 Ford Flex has been lost in the shuffles of large crossovers, but that doesn't mean it's not one of the best. The Ford Flex's rectangular surf wagon styling conceals a seven-passenger interior and some of the most benign handling manners on the market. Opt for the Flex's 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 engine if you want to tow with the greatest ease, as its 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque are at the top of its class. Even if you select the more modest 287 horsepower entry-level six-cylinder motor in the Flex, however, you'll still benefit from the vehicle's 4,500 lbs of towing capacity.

The 2016 BMW X5 is well known for offering excellent straight-line performance as well as above-average handling for a large luxury crossover. Still, the 445 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque produced by its top-tier turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine also give it 6,000 lbs of trailer capability. In fact, you can still access that rating if you stick with the 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque generated by the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder motor found with the base X5, as well. All-wheel drive is optional for the 3.0-liter X5 and standard with the V-8.

The 2016 Infiniti QX60 is based on the same bones as the Nissan Pathfinder, which means that the luxury model is in good when it comes to towing, and can offer an identical 5,000 lbs of capability with a trailer hitch installed. It would be a mistake to think that the Infiniti QX60 is a clone of its more affordable sibling, however, as the interior of the vehicle has been exquisitely turned out to offer the latest in high tech safety, infotainment, and comfort features. Under the hood, the Infiniti crossover features a 3.5-liter V-6 that's good for 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, with all-wheel drive available on the order sheet.

The 2016 Toyota Highlander shows a more stark difference when considering the towing capacities associated with its two available engines. Stick with the 2.7-liter, 185-horsepower four-cylinder mill that it comes with out of the box and you'll end up with a paltry 1,500 lbs of trailer towing ability. Upgrade to the 3.5-liter V-6, however, and the Toyota Highlander blossoms to 5,000 lbs, thanks to two key differences: the presence of 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, and the decision to equip all six-cylinder versions of the Highlander with a standard towing package for 2016.

The 2016 Volvo XC90 has generated a lot of buzz for the Swedish automaker, with its upscale interior trappings and its unique combination of turbocharged, supercharged, and hybrid drivetrains. The large crossover is also an excellent choice as a tow vehicle, providing just over 5,000 lbs of towing capacity when properly equipped. The most grunt is available from the XC90 T8 model, which features a hybrid setup good for 400 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque, but if you stick with the 316 horses produced by the 2.0-liter turbocharged/supercharged four-cylinder motor in the mid-tier XC90 T6, you'll still be able to access all the towing you need. Entry-level editions of the XC90 feature 250 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0-liter motor, and aren't the best choice for tow rig.

The 2016 Honda Pilot is a new design that happens to share much of its underpinnings with the Acura MDX, including its tow rating of 5,000 lbs. Of course, to access the full trailering capacity of the three-row Honda Pilot, you've got to opt for all-wheel drive - otherwise you're looking at a still-serviceable 3,500 lbs of pulling power. All versions of the Pilot are equipped with the same 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, but transmission choice is tied in with trim level: only the most expensive versions of the Honda crossover feature a nine-speed automatic, with the rest of the lineup sticking with a six-speed autobox.