If you want an SUV that has towing capacity but doesn’t break the bank or use too much gasoline, a smaller SUV may be your best option. However, this does not mean that you need to sacrifice some of the things that come with having the powerful engine that the large SUV gives you. Here are some small SUVs with the highest towing capacities.
Land Rover Discovery
In general, Land Rover is well-known for its massive towing capacity, and that extends all the way down to its smaller SUV models. The Land Rover Discovery, while slightly bigger than compact, has one of the better towing capacities in the class. Even the standard 246 hp engine packs a punch, and it can tow up to 4,409 pounds. This is more than double the capacity of the average SUV in the class. Buyers can opt for higher trims that go up to 286 hp, and they can increase the towing capacity even further.
Land Rovers are luxury SUVs that not only provide a comfortable ride, but they are underrated as heavy-lifting vehicles that could get your payload to its destination with ease. The Land Rover Discovery comes with things such as trailer stability assist and advanced tow assist that make hauling even easier. This means that you can haul all of this weight safely and efficiently.
Audi Q5
The hallmark of this luxury smaller SUV is power, and you get plenty of it. The standard model comes with 248 hp. It has an extremely large towing capacity of 4,400 pounds when you have a trailer hitch and torque weight. Given the power of the engine, drivers can comfortably haul large loads. This even includes your large camper.
You can upgrade the engine to 349 hp in the higher trim although this does not get you extra towing capacity beyond the base model. It does ensure even more smoothness to your ride when you are towing things like your small boat or your Jet Ski. This allows you to haul your flatbed trailer behind your SUV. The Audi Q5 comes with a five-link suspension that gives you balance and comfort even with a large load hitched to the back of your SUV.
Subaru Outback
This is another car in which the base model offers more than enough power. The base model has a 182 hp engine that can tow up to 2,700 pounds, much more than a regular base model in this class. Engine upgrades can increase the towing capacity to 3,500 pounds, and the Subaru Outback has far better fuel economy than many competitors in its class. The engine upgrades that allow for the towing began with the 2020 models. Combined with an all-new suspension, you can safely and comfortably tow your payload to your destination.
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape has more towing power while still maintaining reasonable fuel efficiency. With a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, this vehicle can haul more than just a small camper. The towing capacity comes when you purchase the 250-horsepower 2.0-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder system. The tow package has numerous safety and control features that include trailer sway control and a receiver hitch.
Meanwhile, it gets about 25 miles to the gallon, putting it around the middle of the pack in its class. Some previous vehicles that we mentioned were luxury SUV options. The Ford Escape is an affordable model that is in the middle of its class while still giving you the engine power that you need for towing.
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is a sporty and popular SUV that people often associate with affordability, but they may not think of the power that it has. Toyota did a complete overhaul of the RAV4 in 2019. With it came a 203 hp engine that changed everything for drivers. One of the things that the new engine did was greatly increased the towing capacity far above other smaller SUVs. Now, the RAV4 can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Not only does this model increase towing capacity, but it also provides features that make towing easier and safer. It has a smart torque-vectoring AWD system that shifts up to half of the weight to the rear axle. You need this system on your RAV4 to take advantage of the extra towing weight that the engine allows. Otherwise, the towing capacity is limited to 1,500 pounds. In addition, the RAV4 also has a trailer sway control system to help you control the trajectory of the trailer.
Volvo XC40
Many vehicle models require you to upgrade to a higher horsepower engine model to get the full benefits of the towing capacity as the base models usually come with a lower towing capacity. That is not the case with the Volvo XC40. Here, you do not need to spend anything extra to take advantage of all the power that the engine offers. As long as you have the proper towing hitch, which can be installed by a dealer, your Volvo SUV can haul up to 3,500 pounds.
The surprising thing about this model is its affordability. It does not cost much more than the mid-range SUVs that have far lower towing capacities. Plus, you get all the luxury that you would usually associate with a Volvo, including an upscale driving experience and quality interior. Engine options range from 187 to 247 hp, and even the base model could tow your payload with ease.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has the highest towing capacity of any small SUV on this list, with 4,500 pounds of capability. This vehicle is capable of hauling certain types of boats. The standard engine option has 184 horsepower with a nine-speed automatic transmission, but a 271-horsepower V6 is available. Front-wheel drive comes standard on the base model, but some more expensive models have four-wheel drive. However, the base models are upgradeable to four-wheel drive for better off-road handling.
The styling of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is unique compared to other vehicles in its class. It has high-mounted strip headlights above the grille level along with available fog lights below. All models come with Jeep’s signature seven-section grille. Inside the vehicle, leather upholstery, seat heating, and a wireless charging pad are available for purchase.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s V6 version has an automatic stop-start capability for better fuel economy while driving in the city. More optional safety features are blind-spot warning systems, lane departure warnings, and autonomous emergency braking.
When shopping for a used small SUV for towing, there is a crowded market with many options from which to choose. You should be prepared to pay for the towing capacity because few base models have extra towing capacity. With the right kind of engine upgrade, you can even comfortably tow your camper behind your SUV for a nice relaxing trip away from home.
