Top 10 Best Midsize SUVs for Towing a Travel Trailer (2026)

Buying a midsize SUV for towing comes down to one number: towing capacity.

Get that wrong, and no amount of nice interior or good fuel economy is going to save you on a steep hill with a loaded trailer behind you.

The good news? Midsize SUVs have gotten much more capable in recent years. Several can now tow 7,000 to 9,000 pounds. That’s enough for most travel trailers, small campers, and boats.

This list covers ten of the best options for 2026, from value picks to premium choices. All have been updated with current specs — the old numbers on this page were years out of date.

One Thing to Know Before You Shop

Towing capacity varies by trim, engine, and package.

The number on the brochure is usually the maximum, and you often have to add a factory tow package to get there. The base engine on the same model might tow significantly less.

Always check the specific trim you’re buying. And before you hook anything up, verify the sticker in the driver’s door jamb. That’s the number that actually matters.

Quick Reference Table

Model	Engine	Max Towing
Lexus GX 550	3.4L Twin-Turbo V6	9,000 lbs
Land Rover Discovery	3.0L Inline-6 Turbo	8,200 lbs
Dodge Durango (V8)	5.7L HEMI V8	8,700 lbs
Range Rover Sport	3.0L Inline-6 Mild Hybrid	7,716 lbs
Mercedes-Benz GLE	2.0L Turbo / 3.0L Turbo	7,700 lbs
Porsche Cayenne	3.0L V6 Turbo	7,700 lbs
Audi Q7	3.0L Turbo Inline-6	7,700 lbs
BMW X5	3.0L Turbo Inline-6	7,200 lbs
Lincoln Aviator	3.0L Twin-Turbo V6	6,700 lbs
Jeep Grand Cherokee	3.6L V6	6,200 lbs

Numbers shown are the maximum towing capacity. Actual capacity depends on trim, drivetrain, and optional packages.

1. Lexus GX 550 — Up to 9,000 lbs

This is the one most people don’t expect to see at the top of this list.

The Lexus GX was fully redesigned for 2024, and the result is the highest towing capacity of any midsize SUV on the market.

Every trim comes with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.

Torque peaks at just 2,000 rpm — which is exactly what you want when you’re pulling a loaded trailer uphill.

The base Premium trim starts at $65,585 and already tows 8,967 pounds. The Overtrail trim tows 9,000 pounds and adds proper off-road hardware. A tow hitch comes standard on every GX.

It also won JD Power’s most reliable midsize SUV award. So you get the best towing number in the class, a premium interior, and long-term dependability all in one package.

If towing capacity is your main priority, this is the one to get.

2. Dodge Durango — Up to 8,700 lbs

The Durango is the only SUV on this list with a V8 option — and it shows in the towing numbers.

With the 5.7-liter HEMI V8, it tows up to 8,700 pounds. The supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 hits that same number but with 710 horsepower on tap. Even the base 3.6-liter V6 manages 6,200 pounds.

It’s old-school in the best sense. No turbo four-cylinder, no hybrid system — just a big engine doing what big engines do.

The Durango also has three rows of seats. So if you need to carry a family and tow a trailer at the same time, this is one of the few midsize options that genuinely handles both.

Fuel economy isn’t great. And the interior isn’t as refined as the European options on this list. But if raw towing ability is what you’re after without spending luxury prices, the Durango R/T is hard to argue with.

Land Rover Discovery — Up to 8,200 lbs

The Land Rover Discovery is built for people who want to tow and go off-road. Not just one or the other.

The current Discovery uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 355 horsepower. With the right package, it tows up to 8,200 pounds. It also comes with proper off-road hardware — Terrain Response system, air suspension, and locking differentials on upper trims.

The interior is spacious. Three rows can seat seven passengers, and the cargo area is genuinely large for a midsize SUV.

It’s not the flashiest choice in its price range. But for buyers who want a workhorse that happens to be a premium vehicle, the Discovery delivers that better than most.

4. Range Rover Sport — Up to 7,716 lbs

The Range Rover Sport is more driver-focused than the full-size Range Rover. Sharper handling, more aggressive styling, and still very capable on both road and trail.

The standard powertrain is a 3.0-liter inline-six mild hybrid producing 355 horsepower. That’s enough for 7,716 pounds of towing capacity. Higher trims step up to a plug-in hybrid or a twin-turbo V8 with 635 horsepower — though the V8 variant climbs well above typical midsize pricing.

For 2026, the Range Rover Sport continues with Terrain Response 2 as standard, adjustable air suspension, and a 13.1-inch infotainment screen.

Tow Assist — a camera-based system that makes reversing with a trailer much easier — is available on higher trims.

If you want luxury, towing ability, and off-road credibility in one package, this is a top-tier choice.

5. Mercedes-Benz GLE — Up to 7,700 lbs

The Mercedes-Benz GLE is the best-driving SUV on this list. Period.

The standard GLE 350 uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 255 horsepower.

Step up to the GLE 450, and you get a 3.0-liter inline-six mild hybrid producing 375 horsepower. Both can tow up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped.

The optional E-Active Body Control suspension is remarkable. It uses cameras to read the road ahead and adjusts each wheel individually. The result is a ride so smooth it feels like the road is perfectly flat even when it isn’t.

The interior is deeply impressive. MBUX infotainment is intuitive. Seat comfort on long trips is among the best in the class. And the AMG GLE 53 and GLE 63 variants add real performance to the package for those who want it.

It’s expensive. But for what it offers, it earns every dollar.

6. Porsche Cayenne — Up to 7,700 lbs

The Porsche Cayenne proves that towing and performance aren’t mutually exclusive.

The base Cayenne uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 348 horsepower. It tows up to 7,700 pounds. The Cayenne S steps up to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 473 horsepower for those who want more.

What makes the Cayenne different is how it drives. It corners like a sports car. The steering is precise. The acceleration is immediate. Most tow vehicles feel heavy and cumbersome — the Cayenne doesn’t.

Inside, the quality is excellent. The Porsche Communication Management system spans a 12.3-inch display. The available Burmester sound system is one of the best in the class. Seating is comfortable on long trips.

If you want the most fun-to-drive vehicle on this list that can still pull a real trailer, the Cayenne is your answer.

7. Audi Q7 — Up to 7,700 lbs

The Audi Q7 is the value play in the premium towing segment.

The base 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder only tows 4,400 pounds — not enough for this list. But move to the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six on the 55 TFSI trim, add the factory tow package, and capacity jumps to 7,700 pounds. That’s a massive difference from one engine option.

The Q7 has three rows of seats, which most competitors in its class don’t offer. The interior quality is very good. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard. And the ride is smooth without being floaty.

One thing to pay attention to: the tow package is required to reach the 7,700-pound rating. Budget for that when you’re pricing it out.

For a three-row premium SUV with real towing ability, the Q7 is one of the most complete options available.

8. BMW X5 — Up to 7,200 lbs

The BMW X5 is one of the best all-around midsize SUVs on the market. And it tows up to 7,200 pounds.

The standard xDrive40i uses a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 375 horsepower. The X5 M60i steps up to a twin-turbo V8 with 523 horsepower. Both are refined, quick, and capable.

The interior sets the standard in this class. Materials are excellent. The curved 12.3-inch dashboard display is clean and easy to use. Third-row seating is available on the X5, though it’s tight for adults — it’s better suited for children.

For 2025/2026, the X5 comes with the xOffroad Package as an option — adding a rear differential lock and improved suspension settings for rough terrain. It’s a small detail, but it shows BMW isn’t ignoring buyers who go further than pavement.

One of the most complete packages on this list.

9. Lincoln Aviator — Up to 6,700 lbs

The Lincoln Aviator is a genuinely underrated tow vehicle.

Its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 produces 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough for a 6,700-pound towing rating. Not class-leading, but solid for a three-row luxury SUV in this price range.

What the Aviator does especially well is long-distance comfort. The cabin is quiet. The seats are among the best in the segment — the optional 30-way adjustable front seats are a genuine highlight. Road Preview adaptive suspension reads road imperfections ahead and adjusts the suspension proactively.

A plug-in hybrid version — the Grand Touring — adds an electric motor for 494 combined horsepower while maintaining a 5,600-pound towing rating. If you do a lot of daily driving alongside occasional towing trips, the PHEV makes a lot of sense.

For buyers who want American luxury, real V6 power, and three-row practicality, the Aviator deserves more attention than it gets.

10. Jeep Grand Cherokee — Up to 6,200 lbs

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is the most affordable premium option on this list. And it has the off-road credibility none of the European options can match.

The standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 produces 293 horsepower and tows up to 6,200 pounds with the Trailer Tow Prep Group added. A 5.7-liter V8 is available on higher trims and pushes that number to 7,200 pounds.

What the Grand Cherokee brings beyond the towing number is genuine trail capability. Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive, multiple suspension options including air suspension and Quadra-Lift, and Selec-Terrain with five driving modes make it one of the most capable SUVs in its price range off-road.

The interior was fully redesigned for the current generation. It’s significantly better than the old model — cleaner design, better materials, a large 10.1-inch touchscreen, and available McIntosh audio.

If your towing takes you off the beaten path as well as down the highway, the Grand Cherokee is the pick.

Which One Is Right for You?

If maximum towing is the goal, the Lexus GX wins. Nothing else in this class comes close at 9,000 pounds, plus you get the reliability record to back it up.

If you need a V8 and a family-friendly cabin at a fair price, the Dodge Durango R/T is still the only SUV in this segment that offers both.

If off-road ability matters alongside the towing number, look at the Land Rover Discovery or the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Both are built for more than smooth pavement.

For premium buyers who want the best driving experience, the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz GLE are hard to beat. And if you want three rows plus 7,700 pounds of towing in a premium package, the Audi Q7 is the one to look at.

Whatever you choose, double-check your specific trim’s towing capacity before you commit.

The difference between a base engine and the right package can be thousands of pounds. That matters a lot when you’re out on the road with a trailer behind you.