The Best Towing Vehicles That Aren’t Trucks: SUVs, Vans, and Wagons
Pickup trucks are often sought after for their towing capacity and toughness, but you can put a tow hitch on almost anything. That said, some cars, vans, and SUVs are better tow vehicles than others. We’ve gathered the best options for moving both light and heavy loads without the often overbearing size, fuel thirst, and clunky driving dynamics of a pickup truck.
2024 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain | 4,629 lb Max Towing Capacity | Midsize Wagon
In Europe, towing with station wagons like the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain is relatively common. The luxury long-roof’s manufacturer tow rating of 2,100 kg with a braked trailer and 750 kg with an unbraked trailer equates to 4,629 pounds braked and 1,653 pounds unbraked. This is more than just about any small SUV here in the States and easily enough to haul a pair of snowmobiles, a couple motorcycles, or possibly a lightweight sports car like a Miata with a fancy lightweight trailer.
- Engine: 3.0L turbo I-6
- Output: 362 hp @ 5,500 rpm; 369 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
- Towing Capacity: 4,629 lb
2024 Volvo V90 AWD | 4,850 lb Max Towing Capacity | Full-Size Wagon
Nearing the 5,000-pound towing category, the 2024 Volvo V90 AWD means business. Stately and comfortable, the V90 is larger and more capable than the midsize Euro wagons while being slightly easier on the wallet in the high-$60,000 range. As non-SUV or truck tow vehicles go, the V90’s spec sheet is tough to beat. Add to that a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and that all-wheel-drive stability, and it you have something worth that considerable sum of money.
- Engine: 2.0L turbo and supercharged I-4
- Output: 295 hp @ 5,400 rpm; 310 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm
- Towing Capacity: 4,850 pounds
2024 Chrysler Pacifica | 3,600 lb Max Towing Capacity | Minivan
For those looking for more terrestrial pricing, the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica offers solid towing capacity along with even more practicality and interior space than the sleek wagons. Minivans are some of the last bastions of V-6 engines—most vans have yet to replace theirs with turbocharged four-cylinders like most midsize cars—and the displacement that helps them move people can also help them move trailers.
- Engine: 3.6L V-6
- Output: 287 hp @ 6,400 rpm; 262 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
- Towing Capacity: 3,600 lb
2024 Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana | 10,000 lb Max Towing Capacity | Commercial Van
The 2024 Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana explodes with versatility and capability. These old workhorses out-tow their rivals by some margin. The badge-engineered twins from Chevy and GMC are certainly not as modern or comfortable as more modern alternatives such as the Ford Transit. Regardless, this workhorse makes for a prime commercial vehicle partly due to its substantial 10,000-pound towing capacity.
- Engine: 6.6L V-8
- Output: 401 hp @ 5,200 rpm; 464 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
- Towing Capacity: 10,000 lb
2024 Dodge Durango | 8,700 lb Max Towing Capacity | Midsize SUV
The 2024 Dodge Durango still provides big towing numbers the old-fashioned way, with big V-8 engines. The 5.7-liter V-8s with the $1,195 towing package can pull up to 8,700 pounds. These aren’t sophisticated engines, but they most certainly do the job. Besides the beefy powertrains, the Durango isn’t bad-looking for a big SUV and has a fun driving character.
- Engines: 5.7L, 6.4L, or 6.2L supercharged V-8
- Output: 360 hp @ 5,150 rpm; 390 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm (5.7L)
- Towing Capacity: 8,700 lb
2024 Ford Expedition | 9,300 lb Max Towing Capacity | Full-Size 3-Row SUV
A massive 9,300 pounds of towing capacity is approaching pickup truck specs. The 2024 Ford Expedition is loosely related to the F-150 pickup. Just about anything you could move down the highway using a full-size pickup can be towed behind the extensively comfortable Ford Expedition. Available BlueCruise hands-free driving makes long hauls easier than ever before.
- Engine: 3.5L twin-turbo V-6
- Output: 400 hp @ 5,000 rpm; 480 hp @ 2,250 rpm
- Towing Capacity: 9,300 lb
The Best Towing Vehicles That Aren’t Trucks
- Midsize Wagon: 2024 Mercedes-Benz E450 All-Terrain | 4,629 lb
- Full-size Wagon: 2024 Volvo V90 AWD | 4,850 lb
- Minivan: 2024 Chrysler Pacifica | 3,600 lb
- Commercial Van: 2024 Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana | 10,000 lb
- Midsize SUV: 2024 Dodge Durango | 8,700 lb
- Full-size 3-row SUV: 2024 Ford Expedition | 9,300 lb
