The large SUVs with the greatest towing capacity in Australia

Aussies love the great outdoors. From camping to surfing and hiking to fishing, many spend their weekends driving to faraway lands with all the necessary equipment in tow.

Whether it’s a boat, caravan or trailer; that requires a car with serious pulling power as well as plenty of seats for friends and family. Large SUVs fit the bill perfectly.

However, not all large SUVs were created equal, and towing capacity varies considerably across the segment. So, let’s dig into which options suit those wanting to hitch up a trailer for a weekend adventure.

These are the vehicles within the large SUV under $80,000 category in VFACTS sales charts published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

We’ve crunched the numbers based on the variant with the greatest braked towing capacity in the range, as some trim or powertrain options may see the figures quoted here cut slightly.

You should also check out our 2023 4WD SUV towing test, where we put many of the cars listed here through a series of towing challenges.

Click on a car’s name above to jump directly to its information on the page, or continue scrolling for the full list

Ford Everest

The Ford Everest is Australia’s best-selling large SUV, and it also boasts segment-leading towing credentials.

Two turbo-diesel engines are offered: a 2.0-litre bi-turbo four cylinder and a 3.0-litre single-turbo V6. However, all Everest variants offer 3500kg braked towing capacity.

The V6 has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3150kg, and a gross combination mass (GCM) of 6250kg.

It’s also the pick from a power and torque standpoint, with 184kW and 600Nm – superior outputs to the base four cylinder. As a result, the V6 performed well in the CarExpert 4WD SUV towing test.

Four-cylinder versions start from $54,240 excluding on-road costs, while V6 variants can be had for upwards of $73,740 plus on-roads.

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Isuzu MU-X

Like the Everest, the Isuzu MU-X is sold with a choice of two powertrains, and the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel packs enough grunt to rank second in our towing ratings.

3.0-litre variants are rated to tow 3.5 tonnes, with 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque.

Prices for examples with the upsized engine start at $49,400 before on-road costs and top out at $69,400 plus on-roads, well below the segment cap.

The MU-X is just behind the Ford Everest for large SUV sales, with 11,535 units sold this year up to the end of July.

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Ssangyong Rexton

The Ssangyong Rexton is a big SUV for people who don’t want to spend big money, starting at $50,000 drive-away.

As well as value it brings towing capability, with a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, as well as a GCM of 6460kg.

All Rexton models are powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 148kW of power and 441Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel drive system.

Despite Ssangyong’s lofty claims, during the CarExpert towing test the Rexton was unable to reach 100km/h with a 2.8t trailer attached, and slower than most to accelerate from 0-90km/h.

Our test also found the Rexton couldn’t hold speed with the trailer attached when cruise control was running.

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LDV D90

Cheap and cheerful is the calling card of the LDV D90, which starts from $38,937 drive-away with a braked towing capacity of 3100kg.

Even top-spec, all-wheel drive Executive models will set you back just over $50,000.

Diesel variants are best suited to towing, with 158kW or power and 480Nm of torque coming from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder.

LDV sold 1594 examples of the D90 over the first seven months of the year, making it a low-volume player in the segment.

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Toyota Fortuner

Toyota claims a 3100kg braked towing capacity for the Fortuner, a family 4WD SUV based on the HiLux ute.

Like the HiLux, the Fortuner is powered by a 2.8-litre four cylinder turbo-diesel with 150kW and 500Nm.

Priced between $53,775 before on-road costs and $66,755 before on-roads, the Fortuner has room for seven and comes with third row seats that fold against the wall like those on a commercial aircraft.

The CarExpert towing test noted it was difficult to hook up a trailer to the Fortuner due to its grainy reversing camera, although once on the move the Toyota performed well.

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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

A stalwart of the large SUV segment, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport carries a braked towing capacity rating of 3100kg.

All variants feature a diesel engine with 133kW and 430Nm, sending power to all four wheels through an automatic transmission. Pricing starts at $51,450 before on-road costs and peaks at $64,840 plus on-roads.

CarExpert judges criticised the Pajero Sport for its limited pulling power, but praised its transmission and metal shift paddles.

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GWM Tank 500

GWM is a new player in the Australian large SUV space, and the Tank 500 is its flagship offering.

Towing capacity is rated at 3000kg (braked), and the Tank 500 has a GVM of 3395kg and GCM of 6705kg.

Under the bonnet lies a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid powertrain with total system outputs of 255kW of power and 648Nm of torque.

Positioned as a Toyota Prado rival, pricing kicks off at $66,490 drive-away for the base Lux model.

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Nissan Pathfinder

The first SUV to drop below the 3000kg towing capacity marker is the Nissan Pathfinder, with a claimed rating of 2.7 tonnes.

Unlike the top towers on this list, the Pathfinder features a naturally aspirated engine free of turbochargers and diesel fuel.

Under the bonnet is a 3.5-litre V6 with 202kW of power and 340Nm of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pathfinder wasn’t in our towing test, but Nissan quotes a GVM of 2644kg and a GCM of 5035kg.

Prices start at $59,670 before on-road costs, while the flagship Ti-L comes in at $82,490 plus on-roads.

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Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 is positioned as a more premium option in the large SUV segment, but it’s still capable of doing the work with 2500kg of braked towing capacity.

Powered by either petrol or diesel inline-six engines, the CX-90 produces 254kW/500Nm and 187kW/550Nm, respectively.

Both offer mild-hybrid technology and are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive.

Pricing starts from $74,550 for the entry-level CX-90 G50e Touring, and climbs to $94,630 for the top-spec G50e Azami. All prices exclude on-road costs.

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Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

Volkswagen’s three-row family SUV is offered with a variety of powertrains and seating layouts, but the seven-seat, 162TSI variants can tow the most with a 2500kg braked towing capacity.

A 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine powers the 162TSI Elegance and R-Line, outputting 162kW and 350Nm, while GCM is rated at 4940kg.

The Allspace has 700L of cargo room with the third row folded flat, and prices for 162TSI variants range between $57,090 before on-road costs and $60,590 plus on-roads.

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GWM Tank 300

Positioned as the smaller sibling to the Tank 500, the GWM Tank 300 also carries a reduced 2500kg braked towing capacity.

In hybrid trim, the Tank 300 actually has more power than its bigger brother, producing 258kW and 615Nm from the combination of a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four cylinder and a single electric motor.

GWM does not quote a GCM for the Tank 300, but its GVM is 2725kg.

The range kicks off at $46,990 drive-away and tops out at $60,990 drive-away.

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Jeep Wrangler

The iconic Jeep Wrangler has been updated for 2024, with a new engine and a 2495kg braked towing capacity.

Jeep has introduced a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine for the facelifted model, which produces 200kW of power and 400Nm of torque.

The Jeep Wrangler S and Overland are equipped with a Selec-Trac 4×4 System that can automatically transition between two- and four-wheel drive. Rubicon grades gain a heavy-duty Rock-Trac 4×4 system.

Two-door variants kick off the range just below the segment price cap, while four-door models are priced at $90,450 plus on-roads.

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Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback comes in six different flavours, but only two claim a braked towing capacity of 2400kg.

XT variants feature turbocharged 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine that develops 183kW of power and 350Nm of torque, mated to a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT) and an all-wheel drive system.

Compared to the entry-level naturally aspirated options, the XT commands a premium, priced from $53,190 before on-road costs to $56,990 plus on-roads.

Buyers haven’t lost their appetite for the not-so-large, large SUV, with 6643 sold over the first seven months of 2024.

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Hyundai Palisade

It may not have the same workmanlike origins as some other large SUVs, but the Hyundai Palisade still has a respectable 2200kg braked towing capacity.

Petrol and diesel powertrains are available, and both share an identical tow rating.

The diesel engine offers more torque, with 147kW and 440Nm sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Prices start at $66,800 before on-road costs and top out at $80,900 plus on-roads, just over the $80,000 segment limit.

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Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento and Hyundai Palisade have a lot in common, as they are effectively cousins under the same parent company.

Despite that and the shared powertrain, the Sorento’s braked towing capacity is slightly lower at 2000kg, while its GVM is 2630kg.

Prices range between $50,680 before on-road costs and $73,330 plus on-roads.

Like all other models from the Korean manufacturer, it’s covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

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Toyota Kluger

The hybrid-only Toyota Kluger has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg, less than most of its rivals. Unbraked towing capacity is also down, at 700kg.

The Kluger is still a common choice for families though, with 5861 sold to the end of July.

Base models command $60,920 before on-road costs, while the flagship Grande AWD Hybrid is priced at $82,860 plus on-roads.

All variants come with a five-star ANCAP safety rating and a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. 

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Mazda CX-8

The CX-8 isn’t long for this world, with a new generation of Mazda SUVs coming through, but the long-lived model can still be found on some showroom floors.

It’s offered with a choice of two engines – a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four cylinder and a 2.2-litre twin-turbo diesel – both of which have a braked towing capacity of 2000kg.

Prices vary greatly from $42,810 before on-road costs all the way up to $72,160 plus on-roads, with diesels gaining on-demand four-wheel drive.

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Skoda Kodiaq

The Kodiaq is the big daddy of Skoda’s lineup, with seven seats and a 2000kg braked towing capacity across the range.

In flagship RS guise it features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine packing 180kW and 370Nm, mated to a dual-clutch DSG transmission.

Base variants can be had for $56,490 drive-away, but the price of the range-topping RS jumps to $76,890 drive-away.

Skoda doesn’t quote a GCM, but the Kodiaq has a GVM of 2500kg.

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Hyundai Santa Fe

The new generation Santa Fe is big, boxy and loaded with equipment, but it doesn’t lead the class for towing capacity.

All variants have a braked towing capacity of 1650kg, and source power from a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 47.7kW electric motor, producing a system power output of 173kW.

Drive is delivered to either the front or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Pricing kicks off at $55,500 before on-road costs for the front-wheel drive base version, and the top spec Calligraphy is offered for $75,000 plus on-roads.

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Chery Tiggo 8 Pro

Rounding out this list is the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, a new SUV out of China with a 1300kg braked towing capacity.

Three variants are available, two with front-wheel drive and a flagship all-wheel drive version.

All are powered by the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine teamed mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All variants also come standard with seven seats.

The base front-wheel drive is priced at $41,990 drive-away, while the flagship Ultimate AWD is $6000 dearer.

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