The 10 best SUVs for towing you can buy in 2026

Plus, today's SUVs are usually just as good on the road as their hatchback, saloon and estate counterparts. You also get the same creature comforts, helping make light work of long journeys.

Here are our 10 favourite SUVs for towing – starting with the brawny and building up to the heaviest haulers you can buy – all available either as new or used cars.

• Nissan X-Trail
• Ford Kuga
• Mazda CX-5
• Audi Q5
• Jaguar F-Pace
• Skoda Kodiaq
• Kia Sorento
• Audi Q7
• Range Rover Sport
• KGM Rexton

Nissan X-Trail

• Towing capacity: up to 2,000kg
• Comfy, composed ride quality
• Smooth optional E-Power engine

The latest Nissan X-Trail has ditched diesel engines entirely but, unlike rivals that've done the same, it hasn't lost any claimed towing capacity. You'll want the cheaper mild-hybrid model with the five-seat interior for the maximum 2,000kg braked towing capacity – adding third-row seating drops this total by 200kg. Our favourite engine for the X-Trail – the EV-like E-Power self-charging hybrid – also achieves respectable figures for a hybrid SUV, with four-wheel-drive E-4orce cars pulling 1,800kg, or 1,650kg if you pick the seven-seat interior.

Check out used Nissan X-Trail cars or read our Nissan X-Trail review

Ford Kuga

• Towing capacity: up to 2,100kg
• Surprisingly fun to drive
• Lots of passenger space

The overhauled Ford Kuga gets updated styling and a slimmed-down engine range. Thankfully, the car's well-judged ride and handling remains unchanged, with intuitive steering and superb body control. You'll no longer find torquey diesel engines in the lineup, with just the entry-level petrol plus self-charging and plug-in-hybrid options. Other cars that've lost their diesel options have usually lost towing capacity with it, but the Kuga's PHEV setup has been beefed up so it can pull the same headline 2,100kg figure as older diesel models.

View used Ford Kuga cars or read our Ford Kuga review.

Mazda CX-5

• Towing capacity: up to 2,100kg
• Attractive design
• Well-judged ride and handling

Considering it's a practical family SUV, the Mazda CX-5 has no right looking this good – especially in the brand's signature 'Soul Red' colour. Backing up the sculpted looks is the CX-5's driving experience, with excellent road holding and more agility than you might expect from a tall SUV. Space is good for passengers – even for the fifth seat occupant – and the boot can easily handle holiday luggage or a portly pooch. Most versions apart from the entry-level model can pull 2,000kg, while the range-topping auto diesel can muster 2,100kg.

Search used Mazda CX-5 cars, read our Mazda CX-5 review or find out what the new 2026 Mazda CX-5 is like

Audi Q5

• Towing capacity: up to 2,400kg
• High-tech cabin
• Desirable image

The Q5 is one of the most popular cars in Audi's lineup, and its competitor in the all-important premium family SUV segment. Of course, that means lots of passenger space across its two rows, plus a big, square boot perfect for holiday gear or prized pooches. To unlock the Q5's maximum 2.4-tonne towing capacity, you'll need one of the non-hybrid engines – so either of the entry-level 2.0-litre models or the sporty SQ5 will work here. That said, even the plug-in-hybrid version can manage a two-tonne trailer.

Shop used Audi Q5 cars or read our Audi reviews

Jaguar F-Pace

• Towing capacity: up to 2,400kg
• Upmarket image
• Finely tuned driving experience

You'd think a Jaguar SUV might struggle to stand out since it shares a lineup with the desirable Land Rover range. However, the high-riding F-Pace has managed to carve out its own niche, with less focus on unstoppable off-roading, and a sportier, more on-road-orientated driving experience. As a result, the ride and handling balance is excellent, with graceful body control over craggy UK roads, plus surprisingly keen, accurate handling. Most versions of the F-Pace can tow a 2.4-tonne braked trailer.

Shop used Jaguar F-Pace cars or read our Jaguar F-Pace review

Skoda Kodiaq

• Towing capacity: up to 2,500kg
• Excellent practicality
• Simple, clean dashboard design

The Skoda Kodiaq is a supremely practical SUV with the option of seven seats. All versions are easy to use, keeping key physical controls on the dashboard, while other VW Group cars are ditching them in favour of totally screen-based setups. Every Kodiaq apart from the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol and plug-in-hybrid models can tow at least 2,000kg. For the most pulling power, however, you'll want either a 2.0-litre petrol or a four-wheel-drive diesel version – these can pull 2,300kg normally, or 2,500kg if the tow bar was factory fitted.

Shop used Skoda Kodiaq cars or read our Skoda Kodiaq review

Kia Sorento

• Towing capacity: up to 2,500kg
• Spacious seven-seat cabin
• Long seven-year Kia warranty

The Kia Sorento is the sister car to the Hyundai Santa Fe. It might not be as hip as its blocky sibling, but the Sorento is still available with the stout 2.2-litre diesel engine, while the Santa Fe has gone hybrid-only, losing some towing capacity in the process. The Kia's brawny setup delivers 191hp and lots of lot-down grunt, with a rated towing capacity of 2,500kg. It's also one of the few seven-seat SUVs that can fit full-sized adults in the third row, compared to many in the class that struggle to fit even taller children back there.

Browse used Kia SUVs for sale or read our Kia Sorento review

Audi Q7

• Towing capacity: up to 3,500kg
• Huge interior
• Slick infotainment system

It's hard to think of an area where the Audi Q7 underperforms – perhaps its premium price is the only thing holding it back from true greatness. If your budget can stretch to the brand's big seven-seater, however, you won't regret the investment. It's easy to drive and cruises with grace and sophistication, and there's acres of room inside, with space for adults in all seven seats. Equip it with one of the muscly 3.0-litre diesel engines and you can pull up to three-and-a-half tonnes – the maximum permitted by regular UK driving licences.

See a selection of used Audi Q7 cars for sale

Range Rover Sport

• Towing capacity: up to 3,500kg
• Peerless luxury
• Excellent off-road, if you dare…

If you demand nothing but the absolute finest from your tow car, consider the Range Rover Sport. Its vast frame and muscular engines mean you can tow the maximum 3.5 tonnes allowed by a standard UK licence. Of course, it also comes outfitted with big wheels, lots of ground clearance and Land Rover's finest off-road tech, so it'll keep going off the beaten path long after many rivals have tapped out. The design is plush and stately, with sumptuous materials and a classy, timeless quality to the interior decor.

Search used Land Rover and Range Rover cars or read our Land Rover and Range Rover reviews

KGM Rexton

• Towing capacity: up to 3,500kg
• Lots of standard equipment
• Comparatively affordable

KGM – the artist formerly known as SsangYong – might've been through a thorough rebranding, but the Rexton has remained in the lineup virtually unchanged. And why mess with something that works? This is still a burly off-roader with body-on-frame construction like a pickup truck. That gives it a stiff backbone from which to pull a 3.5-tonne braked trailer, as well as enough durability to tackle rutted tracks with ease. Despite all the capability and equipment, the KGM is noticeably more affordable than other SUVs on this list.

Browse used KGM Rexton cars for sale

Load-lugging power without the price tag

Motorpoint has an enormous choice of used SUVs, all with warranty cover. If you want to tow while cutting your environmental footprint, check out our picks for the best electric 4x4s.