These 12 SUVs Have the Highest Towing Capacity for 2022
Even with soaring gas prices, an SUV that can haul a whole family and tow its toys or a camper still looks pretty good for vacation travel. A properly equipped pickup truck would be a good choice for the biggest towing jobs, but there are SUVs with maximum tow ratings from 8,000 pounds up to 10,000 pounds — along with the third-row seating and cabin cargo space — that make for excellent all-purpose haulers.
Related: These 10 SUVs Have the Highest Towing Capacity for 2021
The list below ranks the top 12 model-year 2022 SUVs by their specified maximum tow ratings, with a lower base price used to break any ties. The list will change for 2023, however; to wit, Toyota recently announced the redesigned 2023 Sequoia has a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,520 pounds and go on sale in late summer. As for 2021 — but not necessarily in earlier years, when some manufacturers used in-house calculations — the ratings should be comparable because the SUVs have been rated according to the SAE International J2807 performance standard, a comprehensive procedure for determining vehicle gross combined weight ratings (GCWR) and trailer weight ratings. It also specifies consistent parameters such as, for example, two occupants of a set weight and a common complement of options.
Note that these are advertised maximum ratings for ideal conditions and typically require a heavy-duty trailering package or other options and a proper hitch. Your real-world maximum towing capability will be reduced by your passenger and cargo load, as well as possibly by additional optional equipment including, in some cases, all- or four-wheel drive. We have more details below the list on how to determine the safe maximum for your situation.
The Top 12 Model-Year 2022 SUVs for Towing Capacity
1. Jeep Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer: 10,000 pounds/9,850 pounds
2. Ford Expedition/Expedition Max: 9,300 pounds/9,000 pounds
3. Dodge Durango SRT 392, R/T with Tow N Go: 8,700 pounds
4. Lincoln Navigator/Navigator L: 8,700 pounds/8,400 pounds
5. Nissan Armada: 8,500 pounds
6. Infiniti QX80: 8,500 pounds
7. Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban: 8,400 pounds/8,300 pounds
8. GMC Yukon/Yukon XL: 8,400 pounds/8,300 pounds
9. Land Rover Defender: 8,200 pounds
10. Land Rover Discovery: 8,200 pounds
11. Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV: 8,200 pounds/8,000 pounds
12. Land Rover Range Rover: 8,200 pounds
1. Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer
Jeep’s new Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer full-size SUVs made their debut for 2022 and weigh in at the top of the SUV tow ratings. The Wagoneer has a pickup-like 10,000-pound maximum rating with the standard 392-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 and two- or four-wheel-drive, along with the Heavy-Duty Trailer-Tow Package that includes HD engine cooling, trailer brake control and a hitch lineup assist and hitch zoom view. The fancier and heavier Grand Wagoneer with its 471-hp, 6.4-liter V-8 is rated to tow 9,850 pounds. Jeep already has unveiled long-wheelbase L versions of the Wagoneers for 2023 with new twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engines (420 or 510 hp) and says these longer models also will tow up to 10,000 pounds when properly equipped.
2. Ford Expedition, Expedition Max
Formerly the top-rated SUV tow vehicle, Ford’s full-size Expedition was bumped to second place for 2022. But with the optional Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package and a weight-distributing hitch, the Expedition is not far behind with a rating of up to 9,300 pounds with 2WD and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. A 380-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 is standard. The stretched Expedition Max version with the same trailering package will tow up to 9,000 pounds with 2WD or 4WD. The HD tow package includes upgraded engine cooling, a blind spot monitor with trailer coverage, Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology and an integrated trailer brake control.
3. Dodge Durango SRT 392, R/T Plus Tow N Go
Dodge’s mid-size three-row SUV boasts a substantial 8,700-pound maximum towing capability for its SRT 392 muscle SUV model and its R/T with Tow N Go Package, both with AWD. The SRT is powered by a 475-hp, 6.4-liter V-8 while the R/T model has a 360-hp, 5.7-liter V-8. Lower trim levels with the base 3.6-liter V-6 boast a still-respectable towing capacity of 6,200 pounds.
4. Lincoln Navigator, Navigator L
The Navigator, freshened for 2022, is an upscale Expedition sibling from Ford’s Lincoln luxury brand. The Navigator with Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package and a weight-distributing hitch has a tow rating of up to 8,700 pounds with 2WD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD. The longer Navigator L is rated up to 8,400 pounds with 2WD and 8,100 pounds with 4WD. A 440-hp, twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 is standard with both models.
5. Nissan Armada
The full-size Armada has a standard 400-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 and offers a towing capacity of up to 8,500 pounds with 2WD or 4WD. An integrated trailer brake control and hitch receiver are standard on all but the base S trim. A trailer sway control is standard on the upper SL and Platinum trim levels, and a weight-distributing Class IV hitch ball mount is optional for all models.
6. Infiniti QX80
The QX80, the Armada’s corporate sibling from Nissan’s Infiniti luxury division, is powered by the same 400-hp, 5.6-liter V-8 and is rated (when properly equipped) for the same 8,500 pounds of maximum towing capacity with 2WD or 4WD.
7. Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban
Chevrolet’s full-size SUVs, the Tahoe and Suburban long-wheelbase version, require the base 5.3-liter V-8 with 2WD and the Max Trailering Package for maximum tow ratings of 8,400 pounds and 8,300 pounds, respectively; each is 200 pounds less with AWD. With the 6.2-liter V-8 that’s optional on higher trims, the maximum towing capacity with tow package is trimmed slightly to 8,300 pounds for the Tahoe and 8,200 for the Suburban with 2WD (8,100 and 7,900 with 4WD). A third engine option is a turbo-diesel 3.0-liter six-cylinder; its maximum ratings with the tow package are 8,200 pounds for the Tahoe and 8,100 for the Suburban with 2WD (8,000 and 7,800 with 4WD).
8. GMC Yukon, Yukon XL
GMC’s Yukon and Yukon XL are GM siblings of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban SUVs, and they offer the same V-8 and diesel engine choices on various trim levels. As with the Chevy models, the top tow ratings apply to examples with the base 5.3-liter V-8 and the Max Trailering Package. For the Yukon, the top ratings are 8,400 pounds with 2WD and 8,200 pounds with 4WD; the Yukon XL maximums are 8,200 and 8,000 pounds. The Yukon Denali models with the 6.2-liter V-8 and trailering package top out at 8,200 pounds with 2WD and 8,000 with 4WD while Denali XL models are rated up to 8,100 and 7,900 pounds. The Yukon with the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel is rated up to 8,100 pounds (7,900 with 4WD) and the Yukon XL is up to 7,900 pounds (7,700 with 4WD), but the diesels do not require the trailering package for those ratings.
9. Land Rover Defender
The revived Land Rover Defender’s two-door 90 or four-door 110 variants boast towing capacities of up to 8,200 pounds when equipped with the turbocharged inline-six-cylinder. For models with either the base turbo four-cylinder or the performance supercharged V-8, towing capacity drops slightly to 7,716 pounds. Coming soon for 2023 is a longer 130 model that offers two versions of the six-cylinder and also is rated for towing up to 8,200 pounds.
10. Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover’s Discovery three-row mid-size SUV also boasts a maximum towing capacity of up to 8,200 pounds — for the higher trim levels with the 355-hp, turbocharged inline-six engine. Models with the base 296-hp, turbo four-cylinder offer maximum towing up to a still-respectable 5,952 pounds.
11. Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV
The luxury versions of GM’s full-size SUVs — Cadillac’s Escalade and long-wheelbase Escalade ESV — are corporate cousins of the big Chevrolet and GMC SUVs. A 6.2-liter V-8 is standard in both Cadillac models and maximum towing capacity with 2WD and the Heavy-Duty Trailering Package is 8,200 pounds for the Escalade and 8,000 pounds for the Escalade ESV. All-wheel-drive for either one cuts 200 pounds. A properly equipped Escalade with the more efficient 3.0-liter turbo-diesel six-cylinder option still will tow up to 8,100 with 2WD (7,900 pounds for the ESV).
12. Land Rover Range Rover
Land Rover’s flagship Range Rover has been redesigned for 2022 with standard and long-wheelbase versions. A new twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 rated at 523 hp adds towing capacity of up to 8,200 pounds. With the base turbo 3.0-liter six, the Range Rover still is rated to tow up to a healthy 7,716 pounds.
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- Video: What Are the Best Compact SUVs for Towing?
- More Towing Tips and News
Real-World Loads Weigh Down What You Can Tow
Even under the J2807 standard, the maximum trailer weight rating for an SUV assumes little added weight from occupants or cargo. Load the SUV up or equip it with additional weighty options and that extra weight will cut the maximum safe towing capability.
You can calculate that safe limit with three steps:
1. Determine your SUV’s curb weight, including all accessories. The automaker’s published curb weights are a starting point, but your SUV’s trim level and specific equipment might differ. Colleagues at Cars.com sister site PickupTrucks.com say a better idea is to use a scale at a local truck stop or your state department of motor vehicles to get a more precise weight for your vehicle.
2. Subtract that weight from your SUVs gross combined weight rating (GCWR), which typically can be found on a label on the driver’s door or pillar or in your manual. The difference is the total added weight that your SUV can carry and tow — the total available weight capacity.
3. Subtract from that total available weight capacity the expected payload weight of people and cargo you’ll be carrying in the SUV for the trip plus the trailer tongue weight (the weight the trailer exerts on the rear of the SUV). What’s left is the actual maximum trailer weight you can safely tow for this trip.
You can shift pounds from one side of the equation to the other, such as by shifting some payload weight to the trailer, but keep in mind that you can never safely exceed either of the SUV’s maximum weight ratings — the maximum towing capacity or the maximum payload, which usually is found on the tire label on the driver’s door or pillar.
Editor’s note: This post was updated June 10, 2022, with additional information on the 2023 Toyota Sequoia.
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