Towing & Payload

Midsize SUV Towing Capacity Chart 2026: Updated Ratings

Midsize SUV towing capacity chart: official max ratings for 12 SUVs, from the 6,200 lb Grand Cherokee to 5,000 lb rivals, plus the trims rated lower.

Most midsize SUVs on sale today are rated to tow 5,000 lb when properly equipped. A few go higher. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated for 6,200 lb, and the Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder for 6,000 lb. Several others drop to 3,500 lb or less depending on trim, drive or powertrain. The chart below lists the maximum rating each manufacturer publishes for twelve popular midsize SUVs, and the conditions attached to it. That second part matters as much as the number.

Every figure here comes from the manufacturer's own press release, specification sheet or official model page, linked in the Sources list. Where a manufacturer's site has already moved to the next model year, the row says so.

Bar chart of midsize SUV towing capacity: Jeep Grand Cherokee 6,200 lb, Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder 6,000 lb, nine others 5,000 lb, with lower ratings for other versions — Maximum manufacturer towing ratings, with the lowest rating listed for other trims or powertrains. Sources: manufacturer specifications.

Midsize SUV towing capacity chart

SUV	Model year	Max towing (lb)	Conditions for max	Lower ratings (lb)
Jeep Grand Cherokee	2026	6,200	2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo or 3.6L V6	—
Toyota 4Runner	2026	6,000	Toyota U.S. maximum	Toyota Canada: 5,800 (i-FORCE MAX hybrid)
Nissan Pathfinder	2026	6,000	Rock Creek, Platinum, SV/SL Premium Package	3,500 (standard)
Ford Explorer	2027	5,000	All models, 2.3L and 3.0L	—
Chevrolet Traverse	2027	5,000	LT, Z71, RS with included trailering equipment	—
Honda Pilot	2026	5,000	AWD trims, accessory towing equipment	3,500 (2WD)
Kia Telluride	2026	5,000	2.5L turbo, when equipped	4,500 (turbo hybrid)
Hyundai Palisade	2026	5,000	Non-hybrid, braked trailer	4,000 (hybrid); 1,650 unbraked
Toyota Grand Highlander	2026	5,000	Gas and Hybrid MAX	3,500 (hybrid)
Subaru Ascent	2026	5,000	All trims	—
Mazda CX-90	2026	5,000	3.3 Turbo Premium Sport/Plus, Turbo S, w/ towing pkg	3,500 (Select, Preferred, PHEV)
Volkswagen Atlas	2026	5,000	Braked trailer, FWD or AWD	2,000 (SE)

Manufacturer figures, properly equipped. Model year is the latest year on the maker's site when checked (October 2026).

Read the table in two columns. The maximum is the best case: the right engine, the right drive, and usually a hitch or tow package. The "lower ratings" column is where many real vehicles sit. A front-wheel-drive Honda Pilot, a base Nissan Pathfinder, a Mazda CX-90 3.3 Turbo Select and a Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid all have the same 3,500 lb rating, well below the 5,000 to 6,000 lb headline figures for their nameplates.

The 6,000 lb class: Grand Cherokee, 4Runner and Pathfinder

Jeep Grand Cherokee (2026): 6,200 lb. (For Jeep's midsize pickup, see our Jeep Gladiator towing capacity chart.) Jeep rates the Grand Cherokee at 6,200 lb with both of its gas engines: the new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo (324 hp, 332 lb-ft) and the 3.6L Pentastar V6 (293 hp, 260 lb-ft). The V6 is standard on the Laredo and Laredo X, and the Hurricane is not offered on those trims. Jeep calls 6,200 lb best in class, based on Wards Middle Sport/Utility segmentation. Stellantis's launch release describes it as a "class-leading 6,200-pound towing figure." If you want the highest rating in this chart without moving to a body-on-frame truck-based SUV, this is it. The Wrangler is rated lower; our Jeep Wrangler towing capacity chart shows the 2026 Wrangler tops out at 5,000 lb, and only as a four-door Rubicon automatic with the 4.10 axle.

Toyota 4Runner (2026): 6,000 lb. Toyota's U.S. newsroom gives the sixth-generation 4Runner a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 lb, and the U.S. brochure repeats it. The 4Runner is built on Toyota's TNGA-F body-on-frame platform, shared with the Tacoma, Tundra, Land Cruiser and Sequoia. Toyota Canada's 2026 release splits the figure by powertrain: 6,000 lb for the 2.4L turbo i-FORCE and 5,800 lb for the i-FORCE MAX hybrid. Toyota's U.S. materials we reviewed give only the 6,000 lb maximum. If you are buying a hybrid 4Runner (standard on TRD Pro, Trailhunter and Platinum) to tow near the limit, check the rating in that truck's owner's manual or on Toyota's U.S. spec page for that exact grade.

Nissan Pathfinder (2026): 6,000 lb with the right package. Nissan's press kit gives the Pathfinder a standard towing capacity of 3,500 lb. Rock Creek and Platinum grades, and SV or SL trucks with the Premium Package, are rated for 6,000 lb. Nissan's spec sheet shows what the package adds: a towing prep receiver hitch, harness and enhanced transmission cooling. The Pathfinder shows how far apart two versions of the same SUV can be. A 6,000 lb Platinum and a 3,500 lb SV are rated 2,500 lb apart.

The 5,000 lb mainstream

Ford Explorer (2027): 5,000 lb. Ford's current Explorer page lists 5,000 lb as the maximum towing capacity for every model, from the 2.3L EcoBoost Active to the 3.0L EcoBoost V6 ST. Ford says the standard Class III Trailer Tow Package includes a Class III hitch receiver, a seven-wire harness, and four-pin and seven-pin connectors. Some dealer sites still quote 5,600 lb for the V6. Ford's own page does not. We use Ford's figure.

Chevrolet Traverse (2027): 5,000 lb. Chevrolet lists the Traverse at up to 5,000 lb and says that with the included trailering equipment, the LT, Z71 and RS have that capability. Chevrolet's site has moved to the 2027 model year.

Honda Pilot (2026): 5,000 lb AWD, 3,500 lb 2WD. Honda's spec release says the maximum is 5,000 lb for AWD trims and 3,500 lb for 2WD trims, and that towing requires accessory towing equipment. Honda's dealer information center adds two details: premium unleaded fuel is recommended when towing more than 3,500 lb, and the Pilot TrailSport comes standard with an integrated Class III hitch.

Kia Telluride (2026): 5,000 lb turbo, 4,500 lb hybrid. Kia's launch material for the new Telluride says the 2.5L turbo (274 hp, 311 lb-ft) delivers up to 5,000 lb of towing when equipped. The turbo hybrid tows up to 4,500 lb. Kia also lists an integrated tow hitch, standard on the X-Pro and available on other trims, and an available self-leveling rear suspension.

Hyundai Palisade (2026): 5,000 lb non-hybrid, 4,000 lb hybrid. Hyundai's specs list a maximum trailer weight of 5,000 lb with trailer brakes and 1,650 lb without them. Hyundai's footnote says the non-hybrid Palisade's 5,000 lb and the Palisade Hybrid's 4,000 lb maximums require a trailer with trailer brakes. That 1,650 lb unbraked figure is one of the most useful numbers in this article. A small utility trailer with no brakes of its own is limited to roughly a third of the headline rating.

Toyota Grand Highlander (2026): 5,000 lb gas and Hybrid MAX, 3,500 lb hybrid. Toyota's product information lists 5,000 lb for the gas and Hybrid MAX models and 3,500 lb for the standard hybrid. It also lists maximum tongue weight as 10 percent of the tow rating: 500 lb for gas and Hybrid MAX, 350 lb for the hybrid.

Subaru Ascent (2026): 5,000 lb. Subaru's 2026 Ascent release gives "up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity" with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Subaru's trim comparison lists the same 5,000 lb across the lineup, which makes the Ascent one of the simplest SUVs in this chart to buy for towing. (For how much these SUVs hold behind each row, see our SUV cargo space comparison chart.)

Mazda CX-90 (2026): 5,000 lb or 3,500 lb. Mazda's 2026 spec deck lists 3,500 lb for the 3.3 Turbo Select and Preferred and for the PHEV. The 3.3 Turbo Premium Sport and Premium Plus, and the 3.3 Turbo S grades, are rated for 5,000 lb with the towing package.

Volkswagen Atlas (2026): 5,000 lb. Volkswagen's technical specifications give a braked trailer rating of 5,000 lb for both the FWD and AWD 2.0T, except the SE, which is rated for 2,000 lb.

Why most midsize SUVs stop at 5,000 lb

The 5,000 lb figure recurs so often that it looks like a rule, but it is a set of individual ratings that happen to land at the same number. Manufacturers do not explain in their spec sheets why their ratings land where they do, so we will not guess at the engineering behind each one. What the documents do show is that the conditions attached to the number differ widely: Honda requires AWD, Nissan requires a package, Mazda requires a specific grade and the towing package, Volkswagen excludes the SE, and Hyundai requires trailer brakes. Ground clearance changes by trim in the same way; our SUV ground clearance comparison chart shows how much the off-road versions of these SUVs add.

Above 5,000 lb, the chart narrows to a few models. In this list the 6,000 lb and higher ratings belong to the Grand Cherokee, the body-on-frame 4Runner, and the Pathfinder with its upgraded towing hardware. If you need more than about 6,000 lb, you are shopping for a full-size SUV or a pickup. Our Ford F-150 towing capacity chart shows how ratings spread out in a half-ton truck.

Hybrids usually tow less

Four of the twelve models have a hybrid with a lower rating than the gas version:

Kia Telluride: 5,000 lb turbo vs 4,500 lb turbo hybrid.
Hyundai Palisade: 5,000 lb non-hybrid vs 4,000 lb hybrid.
Toyota Grand Highlander: 5,000 lb gas vs 3,500 lb standard hybrid. The more powerful Hybrid MAX keeps the 5,000 lb rating.
Mazda CX-90: the PHEV is rated for 3,500 lb, the same as the lower Turbo grades, while upper 3.3 Turbo grades are rated for 5,000 lb.

The 4Runner may be a fifth, depending on which Toyota document you read: Toyota Canada lists the i-FORCE MAX hybrid at 5,800 lb versus 6,000 lb for the gas engine. If you are choosing a hybrid partly for economy, check that its specific rating still covers your trailer.

Trailer brakes and tongue weight

A maximum towing rating almost always assumes a trailer with its own brakes. Hyundai is unusually explicit: the Palisade is rated for 1,650 lb without trailer brakes. Volkswagen labels its 5,000 lb Atlas figure a "braked trailer" rating. If your trailer has no brakes, the number that applies to you is the unbraked figure in your owner's manual, and it is likely to be far lower than the chart's maximum.

Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer puts on the hitch. Toyota's Grand Highlander specifications set the maximum at 10 percent of the tow rating, so a 5,000 lb rating comes with a 500 lb tongue limit. Tongue weight counts against the SUV's payload. With a family of five aboard and luggage in the back, a 500 lb tongue load can use up most of what is left. The real payload for your vehicle is on the tire and loading information placard in the door jamb.

Packages and hitches change the number

Several ratings in this chart depend on equipment you might not have. The Pathfinder needs the Premium Package or an upper grade for 6,000 lb. Honda says the Pilot requires accessory towing equipment. Kia says towing requires additional equipment. Mazda's 5,000 lb rating is listed with the towing package. Volkswagen's SE is rated for 2,000 lb. On a used SUV, the hitch you see may be aftermarket, so it does not prove the vehicle has the factory package that the higher rating assumes. Our guide to getting a window sticker by VIN shows how to check what equipment a vehicle left the factory with.

How to find your SUV's real towing capacity

Identify the exact model year, trim, engine and drive. Our guide to telling what trim your car is helps if you are unsure.
Check the factory equipment. Confirm the tow package, hitch and any required cooling or wiring.
Read the owner's manual towing section. Every manufacturer in this chart points owners there for the final rating, the unbraked limit and the conditions.
Read the door-jamb labels. Our guide to the door-jamb sticker explains the GVWR and the payload figure that tongue weight comes out of.
Weigh the trailer loaded. A trailer's empty weight on its sales sheet is not what you will tow.

Choosing a midsize SUV for towing

If your trailer is under about 3,500 lb, almost every SUV in this chart works in almost any configuration, as long as the trailer has brakes where the manual requires them. Between 3,500 and 5,000 lb, the configuration matters: you need AWD in the Pilot, an upper grade in the CX-90 or Pathfinder, a non-SE Atlas, and a gas or Hybrid MAX Grand Highlander. Between 5,000 and 6,200 lb, the realistic choices in this list are the Grand Cherokee, the 4Runner and a properly equipped Pathfinder.

Leave margin. A rating is the maximum the manufacturer has validated for a properly equipped vehicle, not a target. A trailer at 80 or 90 percent of the rating leaves room for water tanks, gear and the extra weight that always appears on trips. Payload, tongue weight and the vehicle's GVWR are separate limits, and you need to stay under all of them at once.

Model year changes

Ratings change between model years, sometimes without a redesign. The 2026 Grand Cherokee's new Hurricane engine carries the same 6,200 lb rating as the V6. The new-generation 2026 Telluride lists different powertrains from the previous model. Ford and Chevrolet have already moved their sites to the 2027 Explorer and Traverse, both still at 5,000 lb. If your SUV is an older model year, look up the towing guide or owner's manual for that year rather than relying on current figures.

Frequently asked questions

Which midsize SUV can tow the most?

In this chart, the 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee, at 6,200 lb with either the 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo or the 3.6L V6. The Toyota 4Runner and a properly equipped Nissan Pathfinder follow at 6,000 lb.

What is the average towing capacity of a midsize SUV?

Nine of the twelve SUVs in this chart have a maximum rating of 5,000 lb, which is the most common figure. Many trims and powertrains are rated lower, typically 3,500 lb.

Can a midsize SUV tow 5,000 lb?

Most can when properly equipped, but check the conditions. The Honda Pilot needs AWD, the Mazda CX-90 needs an upper grade and the towing package, and the VW Atlas SE is rated for only 2,000 lb.

Do hybrid SUVs tow less?

Often. The Telluride hybrid is rated for 4,500 lb, the Palisade Hybrid for 4,000 lb, and the standard Grand Highlander Hybrid for 3,500 lb, versus 5,000 lb for the gas versions.

Do I need trailer brakes to tow 5,000 lb?

Generally yes. Hyundai says the Palisade's 5,000 lb rating requires trailer brakes and lists 1,650 lb without them. Check your owner's manual for the unbraked limit.

What tongue weight can a midsize SUV handle?

Toyota lists the Grand Highlander's maximum tongue weight as 10 percent of the tow rating, or 500 lb at 5,000 lb. Tongue weight also counts against payload.

Does the Ford Explorer tow 5,600 lb?

Ford's current Explorer page lists a maximum of 5,000 lb for every model, including the 3.0L V6. Some dealer sites still quote 5,600 lb, but Ford does not.

How do I find my SUV's exact towing capacity?

Use the owner's manual towing section for your exact model year, trim, engine and drive, confirm the factory tow equipment, and check payload on the door-jamb placard.