SUVs make great tow cars, with lots of mass and pulling power to keep your trailer tracking straight.
That's not all – modern SUVs are usually just as good on the road as their hatchback, saloon and estate counterparts. You'll also find plenty of modern creature comforts to 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
- Towing capacity – up to 2,000kg
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
The Ford Kuga is a spacious five-seater SUV that's been sprinkled with the brand's 'special sauce'. As a result, it rides and handles better than most rivals in this class, with intuitive, accurate controls and excellent manners over bumps. The spacious five-seat cabin makes the Kuga an easygoing family car, and the square boot makes it easy to load bulky items. Cars equipped with the 150hp 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine can pull 1,900kg or, if you choose the range-topping 190hp diesel with four-wheel drive, this figure jumps to 2,100kg.
View used Ford Kuga cars or read our Ford Kuga review.
Mazda CX-5
- Towing capacity – up to 2,100kg
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 or read our Mazda CX-5 review
Skoda Kodiaq
- Towing capacity – up to 2,300kg
The Skoda Kodiaq feels like the ultimate expression of the brand's core philosophy. For starters, it's supremely practical with the option of seven seats and a cathedral-like cargo area if you fold the rear seats down. Then, it follows up by being incredibly easy to use, with simple dashboard controls – including real knobs and buttons for important functions – and clean, fuss-free graphics for the infotainment system. Most diesel Kodiaqs can pull a 2,000kg braked trailer, although four-wheel-drive SE models with five seats can pull 2,300kg.
Shop used Skoda Kodiaq cars or read our Skoda Kodiaq review
Mercedes GLC
- Towing capacity – up to 2,500kg
If you want a luxury tow car, you could do a lot worse than the Mercedes GLC. It can't match the larger GLE and GLS SUVs' ratings but, considering both of those easily cross into six-figure prices, the GLC represents much better value for money if you want the full-size Mercedes experience. Despite the on-paper deficit, the GLC still has a stout 2,500kg towing capacity when equipped with the 220d or 300d diesel engines. These also provide powerful-yet-relaxed performance when you're not pulling a load, making the GLC a pleasure to drive.
Take a look at used Mercedes GLC cars
Kia Sorento
- Towing capacity – up to 2,500kg
The Kia Sorento is the sister car to the Hyundai Santa Fe. While it might not be as hip as its blocky sibling, the Sorento is still available with the stout 2.2-litre diesel engine, where the Santa Fe has gone hybrid-only, losing some towing capacity in the process. This 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
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
BMW X5
- Towing capacity – up to 3,500kg
The BMW X5 scales up the brand's typical user experience into a spacious, practical SUV format. That means you get physics-defying handling that masks the X5's significant mass, while maintaining a well-judged ride quality that tunes out road bumps without upsetting the car's stability. Interior quality is excellent and recent models get the brand's latest iDrive infotainment system, which looks bang up to date and comes stocked with functions. Torquey diesel engines give the X5 a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg.
Shop used BMW X5 cars
Land Rover Defender
- Towing capacity – up to 3,500kg
The old Land Rover Defender left some big shoes to fill. Thankfully the new car is up to the task, featuring all the company's off-road know-how and a practical interior trimmed in tastefully rugged materials. Maximum braked towing capacity is 3,500kg, so the Defender can make light work of even the heaviest trailers. You can also outfit the Defender with the company's Advanced Tow assist feature, which manages the steering for you to help you guide your trailer into its parking spot. Prices are steep but few cars match the Defender's all-round talents.
Search used Land Rover and Range Rover cars for sale
Volkswagen Touareg
- Towing capacity – up to 3,500kg
Under the skin, the Volkswagen Touareg shares engines and parts with the Audi Q7 but, by omitting the four-ringed badge, you have a lower purchase price and better value for money. There's little sacrifice in capability, either, with the Touareg still offering an excess of space for passengers and a huge boot. In fact, the only downside is that the big Volkswagen misses out on the Audi's seven-seat cabin layout. That won't matter when towing, however, with a maximum capacity of 3,500kg when outfitted with the punchy 3.0-litre diesel engine.
Browse used Volkswagen SUVs 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.
