10 of the best SUVs for towing

Ten of the top cars for towing that you can lease

Need an SUV with the towing power of three Shire horses lashed together?

We've got you covered.

Whether you're towing a caravan, trailer or horsebox, you'll still want something that looks good for everyday family life.

The good news?

A whole array of SUVs can handle both the comfortable school run and dragging a two-berth camper down the motorway with ease.

SUVs are towing champions. They're heavy, well-balanced vehicles that will make light work of whatever you're pulling, improving both stability and safety - especially the models with all-wheel drive.

So, let's get into the nitty-gritty of our top towing SUVs.

What makes a good tow car?

Sadly, there’s a little maths involved when it comes to working out which SUV you need in relation to what you want to tow. 

The towing limit of the car is one of the most important numbers to pay attention to.

It’s the maximum weight the car is legally allowed to tow. Towing any more than this is a criminal offence, so your best bet is to leave a generous margin when you’re considering which towing limit you’ll need. Leasing a car that is only just up to the job could leave you in hot water.

As well as a car with a big enough towing limit, you’ll also want something with the power to pull it along.

Many newer cars also come with handy additions that can make your towing life easier, like camera systems for hooking up, or air suspension to save lifting your hatch up. So, it’s worth shopping around.

Bear in mind that the towing limits mentioned here are braked weight towing figures, not unbraked, and capacity can vary between trims.

If you've got any questions or want to clarify that the vehicle you're looking to lease is the right one for you, get in touch with one of our leasing experts and they'll be happy to help.

Our top ten towing SUVs

Dacia Duster

Braked towing weight: 1,200kg

Wave goodbye to the bells and whistles: the Dacia Duster is the most amount of car you can get for the least amount of money.

It’s not trying to be something it isn’t. If you’re after a good amount of space and the ability to tow a one tonne caravan without all the added extras, the Duster is the car for you. It is, in fairness, a better car than the low price might suggest.

If you opt for the Comfort trim, you’ll get an 8in media screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 16in alloys, and a reversing camera.

The Prestige spec adds automatic air con, multi-view parking cameras, and a couple of active safety systems. Plus, there's a slightly nicer interior trim to make those longer journeys more comfortable.

And it’s good for hauling up to 1,200kg (depending on which engine you opt for).

Spacious, comfortable, and hardy, this is the workhorse you need if you’re looking for great value and few frills.

Tesla Model Y

Braked towing weight: 1600kg

If you’re after an electric tow car, the Tesla Model Y is an excellent option.

The towing limit has been upped from a tonne to just over one and a half tonnes – meaning the Model Y can now easily cope with a medium-sized caravan or a small trailer.

And while it doesn’t have the same mammoth towing limit as some of its diesel compatriots, it’s pretty good for an electric car.

Being a Tesla, it's crammed full of tech and boasts a strong 387 WLTP Comb range. You will have to charge more frequently if you're towing, mind you. But it's so fast off the mark you'll feel like you've left a vital organ behind.

Tesla gave the Model Y a facelift at the beginning of 2025, proving just how popular this electric SUV has become.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Braked towing weight: 2,200kg

If you need a car that’s geared up to tow, it’s worth looking at a Volkswagen lease.

Not only can the Volkswagen Tiguan tow up to two and a half tonnes, but it’s also available with VW’s brilliant Trailer Assist, which helps you make short work of reversing a trailer or caravan. 

It's been a consistent performer for Volkswagen since its 2008 launch, and it's still going strong – earning its place as the UK's 10th best-selling car in 2025. That popularity is well-deserved. If you're after a well-priced, good value for your hard-earned cash SUV, you'd be hard-pushed to find a better one than the Tiguan.

It’ll tow a caravan with ease, make towing a trailer look like child's play, and cross a muddy field without so much as a single complaint.

Perfect.

SKODA Kodiaq

Braked towing weight: 2,400kg

The mid-size crossover market is huge, and it's only getting bigger. But the SKODA Kodiaq stands out among the rabble, and it's not hard to see why.

Practical? Absolutely.

Comfortable? Without question.

Dependable? You bet.

It looks good, drives even better, and boasts a generous 2,400kg towing capacity. Sure, it's not the sportiest offering, but it delivers excellent value for money.

If you need to tow a six-berth caravan or small boat without breaking into a sweat, the Kodiaq should feature high on your shortlist.

Mazda CX-80

Braked towing weight: 2,500kg

Mazda's largest SUV is a towing powerhouse, with a hefty kerbweight of over two tonnes and an impressive 2,500kg towing capacity.

The 3.3-litre diesel engine delivers 406lb ft of torque from just 1,500rpm – giving you plenty of pulling power for confident overtaking, even with a substantial caravan in tow.

Its longer wheelbase provides exceptional stability when hauling, while the eight-speed automatic transmission makes light work of hills and motorways alike. The all-wheel drive system ensures hill starts are hassle-free, even in typical British weather.

Inside, you'll find a practical interior with a user-friendly rotary controller for the infotainment system and flexible boot space ranging from 258 to 1,971 litres depending on how many of the seven seats you're using.

For towing that feels like a Sunday drive, the CX-80 is hard to beat.

Kia Sorento

Braked towing weight: 2,500kg

The Kia Sorento is a versatile seven-seater that doesn't shy away from heavy lifting.

While hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are available, it's the 2.2-litre CRDi turbodiesel that's the towing champion – capable of pulling up to 2,500kg with ease.

Add in Kia's industry-leading seven-year warranty, and you've got peace of mind built in – perfect if you're planning to lease long-term.

Spacious, comfortable, and built to last, the Sorento handles heavy loads while remaining refined enough for everyday family duties. It's the automotive equivalent of having your cake and eating it too – with room for seven people and their luggage.

For dependable towing that won't let you down when you need it most, the Sorento deserves a spot high on your list.

Audi Q7

Braked towing weight: 3,500kg

Yes, it’s a big, posh box on wheels. But the Audi Q7 is so much more than that.

With its seven seats and cavernous boot, it’s a supremely practical car if you’re often hauling multiple humans around (even if they’re over six-foot).

But it’ll take trailers, caravans, and horseboxes too – with a maximum towing capacity of three and a half tonnes, there’s not a lot it can’t do.

The quality inside the cabin is excellent, with plenty of clever cubbies to stow your stuff away and a plethora of charging points. It’s everything you could want from a big family wagon, without having to suffer the looks of a traditional MPV.

It’s not going to win any off-roading prizes, but if you want practicality and versatility in a comfortable premium package, it’s one of the best options around.

BMW X5

Braked towing weight: 3,500kg

BMW’s big ol’ SUV, the BMW X5 revolutionised the big car market by being the first ‘off-roader’ to behave like a car on tarmac.

It’s now on its fourth generation, and though there’s now a whole heap of rivals out to challenge the X5, it still stands up as a fantastic SUV. BMW even gave it a thorough overhaul in 2018.

It’s bigger, plusher, and comfier than ever.

There’s enough room for seven, the towing capacity hits the maximum three and a half tonnes in some models, and the cabin is absolutely packed with tech.

Fancy going off-road?

No problem.

The BMW eats up uneven terrain, while the optional off-road pack will help balance the car. The added electronics (including cameras and underbody protection) will make sure you come home in the same condition you left.

Bit muddier though.

Porsche Cayenne

Braked towing weight: 3,500kg

The Porsche Cayenne is one of the best-selling Porsche models worldwide, and it’s definitely no surprise why.

Loaded with plenty of equipment in a spacious, comfortable, and well-designed interior, the Porsche Cayenne is certainly worth the higher price tag.

And what’s even better is with its ability to tow up to 3,500kg, it can deal with a large horsebox or twin-axle caravan as easily as it can a smaller trailer.

So, if you want something premium but practical, and that’ll have heads turning everywhere you drive, the Porsche Cayenne is probably the one for you.

Volkswagen Touareg

Volkswagen’s flagship SUV, the VW Touareg now rivals some of the best premium SUVs on the market – but for a more affordable price.

VW has sacrificed some of the Touareg's off-roading ability, but it has become a phenomenal high-tech SUV for tarmacked roads (even the ones with potholes). And it can tow up to three and a half tonnes, which is more than enough for most caravans or small trailers.

It’s more understated than some of its flashier competitors, but this doesn’t detract from the brilliant finish.

The interior is comfortable and dominated by VW's dual-screen display, which is packed with some of the latest and greatest tech. This includes 'night vision' mode to detect humans and animals in darkness via a thermal imaging camera, roadwork lane assist, active roll stabilisation, and a head-up display.

If you’re after something with the towing power of an ox, the Touareg should feature on your shortlist.

Ready to start towing?

Whether you're planning weekend getaways with a small trailer or need something beefy enough for a twin-axle caravan, these SUVs have got you covered.

The beauty of leasing? You can upgrade to something with more towing power at the end of your contract if your needs change, without the hassle of buying and selling.