Find the best SUV models with maximum towing capacity available in New Zealand here. SUV towing capacity chart included!
Quick Summary: Best SUVs for Towing in NZ
If you need a specific towing capacity for your boat, caravan, or trailer, these are the best-rated models in the New Zealand market for 2026:
- Best for Maximum Loads (3,500kg): Ford Everest, Toyota Land Cruiser 300, Isuzu MU-X.
- Best Hybrid SUV for Towing: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid (3,500kg) & Kia Sorento (2,500kg).
- Best Electric SUV (EV) for Towing: Polestar 3 (2,200kg) & Volvo C40 (1,800kg).
- Best Medium SUV: Mazda CX-60 (2,500kg) & Volkswagen Tiguan (2,500kg).
On this page:
- The Growing Popularity of SUVs for Towing
- Braked vs Unbraked SUV Towing Capacity
- Tow Bar Ratings & NZ Standards
- Ranking the Best SUVs in NZ by Towing Capacity
- Different Model Variants Have Different Towing Capacities
- SUV Towing Capacity Chart (sorted alphabetically)
- SUV Towing Capacity Chart (ranked by SUV towing capacity)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ten SUVs are ranked 1= with a towing capacity of 3500 kg, but tail-end Charlie can only muster 400 kg. Find out which ones they are in our SUV towing capacity chart below.
The Growing Popularity of SUVs for Towing
A growing number of people are choosing SUVs for lifestyle reasons. Those lifestyle reasons often include towing – trailers, boats, horse floats, and more.
It’s no surprise that one of the things people often want to know about is what the towing capacity is. Will it be enough to tow the boat and trailer for those weekend getaways?
So, on the back of popular demand, I have reviewed the most popular SUVs on the market to find out what they can tow in the best possible circumstances.
But first, here’s what “best possible circumstances” means…
Braked vs Unbraked SUV Towing Capacity
A vehicle’s braked towing weight is the most critical figure for NZ SUV owners. This refers to the maximum weight your SUV can tow when the trailer is equipped with its own braking system, which is essential for caravans and large boats. The maximum load for any vehicle in NZ with an unbraked trailer is 750 kg, if the vehicle is rated to tow that much in the first place.
The towing capacity for braked trailers is much higher and is determined by the vehicle. Heavier and sturdier SUVs generally have a greater towing capacity than small SUVs.
Best SUVs with High Towing Capacity in NZ – Hyundai Santa Fe SUV launching a boat.
Different Model Variants Have Different Towing Capacities
Some SUV models include a number of variants with different towing capacities. I’ve listed the highest towing capacity for that model range. After all, if the SUV towing capacity is important to you, you’re probably going to choose the variant that offers the better towing capacity.
For example, the Volkswagen Tiguan range of SUVs feature towing capacities ranging from 1800 kg to 2500 kg. The FWD models have a towing capacity of 1800 kg, while the AWD models have a towing capacity of 2500 kg. I have therefore listed 2500 kg for Volkswagen Tiguan.
The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV has three model variants in the lineup. They’re all diesel-powered AWD models and the towing capacity of each one is 2500 kg. That’s easy – I’ve listed 2500 kg for Hyundai Santa Fe.
We currently have 97 SUV models listed on our website. They’re all listed in the SUV Towing Capacity charts below.
P.S. If I were to include in the chart all the model variants of the models listed on our website, it would run into the hundreds!
Tow Bar Ratings & NZ Standards
Before you hook up your trailer, remember that the vehicle’s factory rating is only half of the equation. Your physical hardware must also be up to the task.
- Check Your Tow Bar Rating: Always look for the compliance plate on the tow bar itself. In NZ, if your SUV is rated for 3,500kg but your tow bar is only rated for 2,000kg, your legal limit is the lower number.
- Safety Chain Requirements: Waka Kotahi (NZTA) requires a secondary connection. For trailers up to 2,500kg, you need at least one safety chain with a breaking strength of at least twice the trailer’s maximum towed mass.
- Understand Your GCM: Don’t forget the Gross Combined Mass (GCM). This is the legal total weight of your SUV (including passengers) plus the loaded trailer.
SUV Towing Comparison Chart
While many SUVs are rated for 3,500kg, the Isuzu MU-X and Ford Everest are preferred for long-distance towing due to their chassis-based construction and torque delivery.
Swipe right to view the full chart
| Braked Capacity | Best For (Ideal Use Case) | Make |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000kg – 1,500kg | Small Adventures: Aluminium tinnies (<5m), utility trailers. | Honda CR-V, MG HS, Mazda CX-3 |
| 1,600kg – 2,000kg | Medium Recreation: 5m–6m boats, single-axle caravans. | Santa Fe Hybrid (1,650kg), Mazda CX-5 (1,800kg – 2,000kg) |
| 2,200kg – 3,000kg | Heavy Recreation: Large tandem trailers, horse floats. | Santa Fe Diesel (2,500kg), GWM Tank 300 (2,500kg) |
| 3,500kg | Max Utility: 3.5T caravans, twin-axle horse floats, offshore boats. | Ford Everest, Land Cruiser 300, Prado Hybrid |
Found your towing category?
Don’t spend hours checking specs—let us do the legwork. We’ll help you find the best lease rates on the right SUV for your towing needs.
GET A PERSONALISED LEASE QUOTESUV Towing Capacity Chart (in alphabetical order)
Swipe right to view the full chart
| # | SUV | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 2330 kg |
| 2 | BYD Atto 3 EV | 750 kg |
| 3 | Citroen C3 | 1176 kg |
| 4 | Citroen C4 | 1570 kg |
| 5 | Cupra Ateca | 2100 kg |
| 6 | Cupra Formentor V | 1900 kg |
| 7 | Cupra Formentor VZ | 2000 kg |
| 8 | Ford Escape Hybrid | 1200 kg |
| 9 | Ford Escape | 1800 kg |
| 10 | Ford Everest | 3500 kg |
| 11 | Ford Puma | 900 kg |
| 12 | GWM Tank Hybrid | 2500 kg |
| 13 | Haval H6 GT | 2000 kg |
| 14 | Haval Jolion | 1500 kg |
| 15 | Honda CRV | 1500 kg |
| 16 | Honda ZRV | 1500 kg |
| 17 | Hyundai Kona | 1300 kg |
| 18 | Hyundai Palisade | 2200 kg |
| 19 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 2500 kg |
| 20 | Hyundai Tucson | 1900 kg |
| 21 | Hyundai Venue | 800 kg |
| 22 | Isuzu MU-X | 3500 kg |
| 23 | Jeep Compass | 1000 kg |
| 24 | Jeep Gladiator | 2721 kg |
| 25 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2813 kg |
| 26 | Jeep Renegade | 1200 kg |
| 27 | Jeep Wrangler | 2495 kg |
| 28 | Kia Seltos | 1250 kg |
| 29 | Kia Sorento | 2500 kg |
| 30 | Kia Sportage | 1650 kg |
| 31 | Kia Stonic | 900 kg |
| 32 | Land Rover Discovery | 3500 kg |
| 33 | Lexus LX | 3500 kg |
| 34 | Lexus RX | 2000 kg |
| 35 | Mazda CX-3 | 1200 kg |
| 36 | Mazda CX-30 | 1200 kg |
| 37 | Mazda CX-5 | 2000 kg |
| 38 | Mazda CX-60 | 2500 kg |
| 39 | Mazda CX-8 | 2000 kg |
| 40 | Mazda CX-9 | 2000 kg |
| 41 | Mazda CX-90 | 2500 kg |
| 42 | Mazda MX-30 Hybrid | 800 kg |
| 43 | Mazda MX-30 EV | 800 kg |
| 44 | MG HS | 1500 kg |
| 45 | MG ZS | 500 kg |
| 46 | MG ZST | 500 kg |
| 47 | Mitsubishi ASX | 1300 kg |
| 48 | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | 1600 kg |
| 49 | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 50 | Mitsubishi Outlander | 2000 kg |
| 51 | Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 52 | Mitsubishi Pajero | 3100 kg |
| 53 | Nissan Juke | 1250 kg |
| 54 | Nissan Pathfinder | 2700 kg |
| 55 | Nissan Patrol | 3500 kg |
| 56 | Nissan Qashqai | 1500 kg |
| 57 | Nissan X-Trail | 2000 kg |
| 58 | Opel Grandland | 1200 kg |
| 59 | Opel Mokka | 1200 kg |
| 60 | Peugeot 2008 | 1200 kg |
| 61 | Peugeot 3008 | 1750 kg |
| 62 | Peugeot 5008 | 1800 kg |
| 63 | Polestar 3 EV | 2200 kg |
| 64 | Range Rover | 3500 kg |
| 65 | Renault Arkana | 900 kg |
| 66 | Skoda Enyaq | 1000 kg |
| 67 | Skoda Kamiq | 1250 kg |
| 68 | Skoda Karoq | 1500 kg |
| 69 | Skoda Kodiaq | 2000 kg |
| 70 | Ssangyong Korando | 2800 kg |
| 71 | Ssangyong Rexton | 3500 kg |
| 72 | Ssangyong Tivoli | 1000 kg |
| 73 | Subaru Crosstrek | 1400 kg |
| 74 | Subaru Forester | 1800 kg |
| 75 | Suzuki Ignis | 1000 kg |
| 76 | Suzuki Jimny | 950 kg |
| 77 | Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 78 | Suzuki Vitara Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 79 | Toyota bZ4X EV | 750 kg |
| 80 | Toyota C-HR | 600 kg |
| 81 | Toyota C-HR Hybrid | 725 kg |
| 82 | Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 750 kg |
| 83 | Toyota Fortuner | 3100 kg |
| 84 | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 2000 kg |
| 85 | Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid | 3500 kg |
| 86 | Toyota Land Cruiser 300 | 3500 kg |
| 87 | Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 88 | Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid | 400 kg |
| 89 | Volkswagen T-Cross | 1200 kg |
| 90 | Volkswagen T-Roc | 1700 kg |
| 91 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 2500 kg |
| 92 | Volkswagen Touareg | 3500 kg |
| 93 | Volvo C40 EV | 1800 kg |
| 94 | Volvo EX30 EV | 1600 kg |
| 95 | Volvo XC40 Hybrid | 2000 kg |
| 96 | Volvo XC60 Hybrid | 2400 kg |
| 97 | Volvo XC90 Hybrid | 2400 kg |
SUV Towing Capacity Chart (ranked by SUV towing capacity)
Ten SUVs are ranked 1= with a towing capacity of 3500 kg, while tail-end Charlie can only muster 400 kg. I’ve made it easy to spot them in this table, which is ranked by SUV towing capacity…
Swipe right to view the full chart
| Rank | SUV | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 1= | Ford Everest | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Isuzu MU-X | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Land Rover Discovery | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Lexus LX | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Nissan Patrol | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Range Rover | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Ssangyong Rexton | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Hybrid | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Toyota Land Cruiser 300 | 3500 kg |
| 1= | Volkswagen Touareg | 3500 kg |
| 2= | Mitsubishi Pajero | 3100 kg |
| 2= | Toyota Fortuner | 3100 kg |
| 3 | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2813 kg |
| 4 | Ssangyong Korando | 2800 kg |
| 5 | Jeep Gladiator | 2721 kg |
| 6 | Nissan Pathfinder | 2700 kg |
| 7= | GWM Tank Hybrid | 2500 kg |
| 7= | Hyundai Santa Fe | 2500 kg |
| 7= | Kia Sorento | 2500 kg |
| 7= | Mazda CX-60 | 2500 kg |
| 7= | Mazda CX-90 | 2500 kg |
| 7= | Volkswagen Tiguan | 2500 kg |
| 8 | Jeep Wrangler | 2495 kg |
| 9= | Volvo XC60 Hybrid | 2400 kg |
| 9= | Volvo XC90 Hybrid | 2400 kg |
| 10 | Alfa Romeo Stelvio | 2330 kg |
| 11= | Hyundai Palisade | 2200 kg |
| 11= | Polestar 3 EV | 2200 kg |
| 12 | Cupra Ateca | 2100 kg |
| 13= | Cupra Formentor VZ | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Haval H6 GT | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Lexus RX | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Mazda CX-5 | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Mazda CX-8 | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Mazda CX-9 | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Mitsubishi Outlander | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Nissan X-Trail | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Skoda Kodiaq | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Toyota Highlander Hybrid | 2000 kg |
| 13= | Volvo XC40 Hybrid | 2000 kg |
| 14= | Cupra Formentor V | 1900 kg |
| 14= | Hyundai Tucson | 1900 kg |
| 15= | Ford Escape | 1800 kg |
| 15= | Peugeot 5008 | 1800 kg |
| 15= | Subaru Forester | 1800 kg |
| 15= | Volvo C40 EV | 1800 kg |
| 16 | Peugeot 3008 | 1750 kg |
| 17 | Volkswagen T-Roc | 1700 kg |
| 18 | Kia Sportage | 1650 kg |
| 19= | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | 1600 kg |
| 19= | Volvo EX30 EV | 1600 kg |
| 20 | Citroen C4 | 1570 kg |
| 21= | Haval Jolion | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Honda CRV | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Honda ZRV | 1500 kg |
| 21= | MG HS | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Nissan Qashqai | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Skoda Karoq | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Suzuki Vitara Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 21= | Toyota RAV4 Hybrid | 1500 kg |
| 22 | Subaru Crosstrek | 1400 kg |
| 23= | Hyundai Kona | 1300 kg |
| 23= | Mitsubishi ASX | 1300 kg |
| 24= | Kia Seltos | 1250 kg |
| 24= | Nissan Juke | 1250 kg |
| 24= | Skoda Kamiq | 1250 kg |
| 25= | Ford Escape Hybrid | 1200 kg |
| 25= | Jeep Renegade | 1200 kg |
| 25= | Mazda CX-3 | 1200 kg |
| 25= | Mazda CX-30 | 1200 kg |
| 25= | Opel Grandland | 1200 kg |
| 25= | Opel Mokka | 1200 kg |
| 25= | Peugeot 2008 | 1200 kg |
| 25= | Volkswagen T-Cross | 1200 kg |
| 26 | Citroen C3 | 1176 kg |
| 27= | Jeep Compass | 1000 kg |
| 27= | Skoda Enyaq | 1000 kg |
| 27= | Ssangyong Tivoli | 1000 kg |
| 27= | Suzuki Ignis | 1000 kg |
| 28 | Suzuki Jimny | 950 kg |
| 29= | Ford Puma | 900 kg |
| 29= | Kia Stonic | 900 kg |
| 29= | Renault Arkana | 900 kg |
| 30= | Hyundai Venue | 800 kg |
| 30= | Mazda MX-30 Hybrid | 800 kg |
| 30= | Mazda MX-30 EV | 800 kg |
| 31= | BYD Atto 3 EV | 750 kg |
| 31= | Toyota bZ4X EV | 750 kg |
| 31= | Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 750 kg |
| 32 | Toyota C-HR Hybrid | 725 kg |
| 33 | Toyota C-HR | 600 kg |
| 34= | MG ZS | 500 kg |
| 34= | MG ZST | 500 kg |
| 35 | Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid | 400 kg |
