10 Best Used SUVs for Towing

2016DodgeDurangof3qaction ・ Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

The popularity of SUVs is partly due to their ability to carry many passengers with room for their cargo, and also due to their ability to tow. But sometimes even large SUVs can run short on cargo room when they’re carrying a full load of passengers.

There also are times when whatever you need to bring along is something that must be towed, like a boat, ATV, or even a trailer full of horses. That’s when you need a full-size SUV, which can be an expensive proposition. Opting for a used SUV is a more affordable option, so here are the 10 best used SUVs for towing.

2017 Nissan Armada

The 2017 Nissan Armada was all-new that year with updated styling, new safety features, and a new engine. It offers a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive in three trims. Power comes from a 5.6-liter V8 with 390 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque paired to a 7-speed automatic transmission. There’s room for 95.4 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats, and the Armada can tow up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Inside, there’s seating for eight passengers, or you can opt for captain’s chairs in the second row if you only need room for seven. Available safety features include blind spot warning, blind spot intervention, predictive forward collision warning, forward emergency braking, and lane departure warning, all of which are standard on the top trim.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Dodge Durango

The 2017 Dodge Durango offers good towing capacity, a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, and two powerful engines. Available in four trim levels, the base models get a 3.6-liter V6 with up to 295 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, while top trims get a 5.7-liter V8 with 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque.

The Durango has solid towing capability regardless of the engine you choose. The V6 engine can tow up to 6,200 pounds, while the V8 engine increases maximum towing to 7,400 pounds. New this year on models equipped with the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment touchscreen is a rear-mounted camera. This provides a view of the trailer, even while the vehicle is moving.

Photo by Dodge

2017 Ford Expedition

The 2017 Ford Expedition is no slouch when it comes to towing or cargo capacity. It’s available in four trims, with the top King Ranch and Platinum boasting luxurious interiors that coddle passengers. Power comes from a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V8 engine with 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Maximum towing on the Expedition is 9,200 pounds, with up to 108.3 cubic feet for cargo behind the first row.

If that’s not enough for you, then there’s the long wheelbase Expedition EL with 130.8 cubic feet behind the front row. The Expedition quite simply is huge, with seating for up to eight passengers, plenty of cargo capacity, and a tow rating that ensures there’s room enough for absolutely everything.

Photo by Ford

2017 Ford Explorer

The 2017 Ford Explorer offers a spacious interior along with ample towing capability in a smaller package than the Expedition. Five trim levels give the flexibility to find an Explorer that fits a wide range of budgets with a variety of engines. Base models get a 3.5-liter V6 with 290 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque, while top trims get a 3.5-liter V6 with 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Both can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Midrange trims get a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 280 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This engine has a maximum tow rating of 3,000 pounds, which makes it plenty capable for most towing needs.

Photo by Ford

2017 Toyota Sequoia

The 2017 Toyota Sequoia is an eight-passenger SUV available in three trims, with a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive across the lineup. Power comes from a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Inside, there’s room for 120.1 cubic feet of cargo behind the front seats.

The Sequoia can tow up to 7,400 pounds when properly equipped and features standard trailer sway control for added safety. It also has a standard tow package that includes a receiver hitch, auxiliary transmission cooler, a seven and four-pin wire connector, and heavy duty 180-amp alternator.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Toyota Land Cruiser

The 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser gives Toyota a second spot on our list of best used SUVs for towing. It’s powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission also offers manual control, which makes descending steep inclines easier when you’re towing a load.

The Land Cruiser produces 90 percent of its peak torque at 2,200 rpm, which is ideal for towing heavy loads. The standard towing package will tow up to 8,100 pounds and includes an engine cooler, towing receiver hitch, and wiring harness with four and seven-pin connectors. There’s also standard trailer sway controller for added safety.

Photo by Toyota

2017 GMC Yukon

The 2017 GMC Yukon is available in three trims, with a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and two powerful engines. The base engine is a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The luxurious Denali trim gets a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Maximum towing for the Yukon is 8,500 pounds, and it has plenty of interior cargo capacity. There’s 94.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and the extended wheelbase Yukon XL is available for those who need more. The Yukon XL ups maximum interior cargo to 121.1 cubic feet.

Photo by GMC

2017 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2017 Chevrolet Suburban is offered in three trim levels with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. This spacious SUV offers room for up to nine passengers when equipped with the front-row bench seat. Power for the Suburban comes from a 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

There’s plenty of room for cargo with 121.7 cubic feet behind the first row of seats. The Suburban also has ample towing capacity, with up to 8,300 pounds in rear-wheel drive models or 8,000 pounds in models equipped with all-wheel drive. It’s a worthy vehicle for towing in either configuration.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe is the second Chevrolet on our list. Think of it as the Suburban’s smaller sibling. It’s available in three trims with a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, and the same 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. However, it comes in with less cargo room than the Suburban, with Tahoe offering 94.7 cubic feet behind the front row.

Where it beats the Suburban is on towing. Models with rear-wheel drive can tow up to 8,600 pounds, while four-wheel drive models come in at 8,400 pounds. If you don’t need the more expansive interior of the Suburban and want greater towing capacity, then the Tahoe is a superior choice.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a full-size SUV with genuine off-road chops. While it only offers two rows of seating with room for up to five passengers, those who put a priority on towing and off-roading will find both in the Grand Cherokee. There are four available engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 that can tow up to 6,200 pounds equipped with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.

There are two available V8 engines, both of which are offered only with four-wheel drive and have maximum tow ratings of 7,200 pounds. The highest tow rating is reserved for the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6. This engine can tow up to 7,200 pounds with four-wheel drive, or 7,400 pounds with rear-wheel drive.

Photo by Jeep