Best SUV for towing 2024

Being comfortable and looking good are important, but some SUV owners require a little more from their cars aside from making the school run.

If you regularly tow a trailer, horsebox or caravan then you’ll need a trusty steed that has no issues doing so over long distances, while still being comfortable to live with.

Here are 10 of the best SUVs for towing that you should consider buying.

Land Rover Discovery

The Land Rover Discovery is a fine SUV that does everything effortlessly well. Whether it’s driving long distances or seating up to seven people, it can do it. It's one of the best SUVs for towing and off-roading.

However, it’s also good at pulling things thanks to its maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg – a standard that all large Land Rover models stick to.

It's able to do this thanks to some potent engine options. There are a range of petrol and diesel mild hybrid engines on offer, with a plug-in hybrid set to follow shortly.

The largest diesel engine produces 300hp and 650Nm of torque, making it the best variant for the job.

Skoda Kodiaq

If you’re after something inoffensive and wildly practical, then the Skoda Kodiaq is one of the best towing SUVs.

This dependable and reliable used Skoda SUV is a great towing machine too, with a maximum towing capacity of up to 2,300kg.

It’s able to do this through its strong petrol and diesel engines. The 2.0-litre diesel is the best one for towing, producing 146hp and 340Nm of torque.

Audi Q7

When it comes to pulling anything, very few cars can come close to what the mighty Audi Q7 has achieved.

To prove this, Audi set out by stuffing a 1,000Nm diesel V12 in the front and pulling a jumbo jet along a runway – no, really.

This silenced any competition and this capability trickled down to the more regular production models, though V12 models do still exist.

Speaking of which, the one to go for is the SQ7 with its 4.0-litre V8 diesel because it has a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, thanks to its 500hp and 900Nm of torque.

You can secure a great deal on a used Audi as well, saving money on the cost of a brand-new option.

Dacia Duster

Just because the Dacia Duster is one of the cheapest compact SUVs on the market doesn’t mean it can’t perform well.

With a maximum towing capacity of 1,500kg, a used Dacia Duster is one of the best SUV picks for towing.

This capability is from the dCi engine that produces 115hp and 260Nm of torque. This makes its pulling power even more impressive for such low figures.

While it may not be as good as some of the larger, more expensive options, the Duster is still a cracking choice for most people.

Porsche Cayenne

Luxury SUVs may not be your first choice to get mucky towing anything through the countryside, but they certainly don’t disappoint.

The Porsche Cayenne has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg thanks to its 4.0-litre V8 engine that produces 542hp and 600Nm of torque.

Porsche also offers a V6 variant that’s more fuel-efficient but offers less pulling power at 500Nm of torque and 348hp.

Volvo XC90

Safety and pulling power are two things you get with a tank, and while you can’t easily get one of those on the road, we present to you the next best thing: the Volvo XC90.

This large used Volvo SUV is the king of the road over in Sweden, and why shouldn’t it be here? With a maximum towing capacity of 2,700kg, it’s more than enough for caravanning or a trip to the horse races.

The best engine for towing is the T8 plug-in hybrid that produces 455hp and 709Nm of torque. It also offers up to 27 miles of electric-only range, which is ideal for city driving.

Land Rover Defender

We’ve already listed a Land Rover on this list, but why not take it up a notch with the hardcore off-roading Defender?

This iconic 4x4 has officially been around since 1983, but its heart existed decades before in what was simply called the ‘Land Rover’.

Nowadays, the Defender makes a great farm workhorse, family haulier and tow vehicle. This is down to its staggering 3,500kg towing capacity.

Sitting at the beating heart of this fine motor car is a range of petrol and diesel engine options, but the best for towing would be the top-spec D300 that comprises a 3.0-litre diesel engine producing – you guessed it – 300hp and 650Nm of torque.

Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7 are mechanically identical underneath.

This makes choosing between the two quite tricky, but the VW is the one to have if you don’t care so much about the badge.

As it’s the same, the Touareg can also tow 3,500kg using its mighty 286hp diesel V6 that produces 600Nm of torque.

You can find affordable used Volkswagen options as well, helping you stick to a budget.

BMW X5

It's not the largest SUV that BMW makes, but it’s probably the one to have.

This used BMW has still got a massive 650-litre boot, great power, plenty of cabin space, and it’s handy at towing.

The BMW X5 has a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,500kg thanks to its diesel engine that produces 352hp and 720Nm of torque.

There’s a more powerful V8 that would do the job just as well but is far more costly to run, with a low 20.8mpg rating (without towing anything).

Mercedes GLE

Closely rivalling the X5 is the Mercedes GLE SUV. This is a car that has long been regarded as one of the best European SUVs thanks to its solid engines, great reliability and comfort.

This used Mercedes is rather good at towing too, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg.

This figure can be achieved with Mercedes' 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine that produces 367hp and 750Nm of torque.

SUVs with 3,500kg towing limits

A 3,500kg towing limit is the gold standard if you want to move the biggest loads, and is ideal for experienced caravanners.

There are a few impressive models that act as the perfect car for towing a caravan or a horse trailer. Some of our favourites include the Land Rover Discovery, BMW X5, Audi Q7, BMW X6, Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes GLE.

Stability, weight and towing limits explained

Towing capacity is how much your SUV can legally tow. This is the maximum weight that you should consider attaching to your car, whether that's a caravan or a load in a trailer.

The maximum towing weight for your car will be printed in the owner's manual or on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate.

For example, the Nissan Qashqai can tow up to 1,500kg braked.

As a whole, trailers or caravans without any brakes can't weigh more than 750kg. With brakes, the maximum towing weight in the UK is up to 3,500kg.

To work out your safest towing limits, look at the kerbweight of the car and the maximum mass of the caravan (called the MTPLM). If your caravan mass weighs above 85% of the car's kerbweight, only drivers who are experienced with towing should attempt it.

If you're new to towing loads, look for a caravan with an MTPLM that's less than 85% of the car's kerbweight.

Towing stability

Many modern cars come with safety features (like electronic stability control) that improve drive stability, but there are some ways you can improve how stable your caravan will feel.

• Make sure your car and caravan are perfectly matched by ensuring you follow the weight requirements for towing

• Load your caravan correctly, with heavy-weight items on the floor and in the middle. Lighter items should then be loaded on top and towards the back

• Add a stabiliser bar for extra security, or choose an automatic trailer control system