What people can’t avoid while choosing a vehicle for towing their travel trailer is overkill. Most of them settle for full-size SUVs and trucks, thinking them to be the best option for this job. The full-size vehicles rock, no doubt, but the midsize models offer the most bang for your bucks. The best midsize SUV towing models do a good job in not only hauling your trailer but also cruising on the highway and city roads.
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Top 6 Best Midsize SUVs for Towing a Travel Trailer
Buying a travel trailer for RV camping is already a huge financial step. You can save a good amount on your budget for camping vehicles by buying a hauling car that you can also use for the daily purposes. For that reason, here Outdoor Fact go with the list of best midsize SUV towing models you should invest for your upcoming road trips:
1. Chevrolet Equinox
The old-fashioned look may not satisfy your modern heart, but it’s one of the best SUVs for towing travel trailer. It can haul around 3,500 pounds with its powerful 301-hp, 3.6-liter V6 engine. The trailering hill-hold assist and anti-sway control are definitely impressive. You will also be happy to know that it comes with a dealer-installed trailer tow package.
2. Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage LX offers an excellent budget-friendly option with an engine that yields 182 horsepower and 177 lb.-ft. of torque. Its maximum towing capacity is 2,000 pounds. It is one of the best midsize SUV towing models in the small crossover category.
If you want to shed some more dollars, more than $7,000 to be precise, you can score the turbo-powered SX version. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine can shoot 260-hp and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. It also comes with a set of premium features. However, the maximum capacity is still 2,000 pounds.
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3. Ford Escape
The Ford Escape can carry 3,500 pounds without even having an optional V6 engine. It is equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine can yield 240 horsepower and the Class II Trailer Tow Package can carry your trailer without any problem. Despite having a high towing capacity, the Escape can cruise the highway at 30mpg and city roads at 22mpg.
The model comes in two other variations. One has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that can produce 168-hp, 170 lb.-ft. of torque, and 1,500 pounds of maximum towing capacity. Another version features a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that has a 2,000-lbs trailering limit with 178-hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque.
4. Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee 2015 model features two powertrain options. The one that you need for hauling your trailer is the 3.2-liter V6 engine with a nine-speed auto transmission. It can tow up to 4,500 lbs weight with 271-hp. The trailing limit is amazing since it is enough to haul a camper or a boat with ease.
5. Lincoln MKC
It’s a luxury truck that is not only a work beast but also keeps you relaxed and entertained on the road. Equipped with a Class II Trailer Tow Package, it can cart around 3,000 pounds. But, in that case, you have to choose the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine yielding 240 horsepower. If you want the more powerful version, a 2.3-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine that unleashes 285 horsepower, the trailing limit will be down to 2,000 pounds. The choice is yours!
6. Volkswagen Tiguan
The compact SUV from Volkswagen can shoot 200 horsepower from the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. It’s highly popular in Europe for carting around small campers. The maximum trailing capacity for the U.S. version is 2,200 pounds but it stretches to 3,200 pounds with the diesel engine available in Europe.
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Towing Capacity Comparison Chart for the Best Midsize SUV Towing Models
A chart showing variables about the type, mpg (shows the EPA ratings for city drive and highway), and the maximum towing capacity of these SUVs discussed above will help you to take a wise decision. However, you should not forget checking the prices given that your budget is tight.
One thing you should understand is that the towing capacity or trailer towing refers to simply the weight that the SUV can pull and stop safely. The maximum towing capacity means the maximum amount of weight that the vehicle can carry without an issue. There are a couple of factors including the model of transmission, engine size, suspension configuration, and a gear ratio that determine the towing capacities.
| Make & Model | Type | MPG (City/Highway) | Maximum Towing Capacity (lbs.) |
| Chevrolet Equinox | Compact SUV | 26/32 | 3,500 |
| Kia Sportage | Compact SUV | 23/30 | 2,000 |
| Ford Escape | Compact SUV | 21/29 | 3,500 |
| Jeep Cherokee | Compact SUV | 21/30 | 4,500 |
| Lincoln MKC | Compact SUV | 21/28 | 3,000 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | Compact SUV | 20/24 | 2,200 |
From the chart, it appears that Jeep Cherokee has the highest maximum towing capacity compared to other entries. However, if you want a towing car that offers a great fuel efficiency, nothing can beat the Chevrolet Equinox with the best midsize suv towing capacity. Kia Sportage comes closer with 23/30 mpg. These six entries are undoubtedly some of top options for the best midsize SUV for towing a travel trailer in the market which could help you to enjoy RV Camping trips to the full.
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Let’s find out top 10 SUVs with best towing capacity!
Last Updated on March 30, 2023
You forgot the upscale German midsize entries. Q7, X5, GL350, Cayenne, Touareg. They all com close to full size towing capacity.