Towing capacity isn’t just a number on a sticker. It’s the hard limit. The maximum allowable weight your vehicle can pull without blowing a gasket, snapping a driveshaft, or turning into a highway missile.
Manufacturers set this limit. They put it in the owner’s manual. You find it there. Or you look it up in a comprehensive chart like the one below.
Here is the trap. You buy a Class III hitch rated for 12,000 lbs. You strap it to your sedan. You think you can now tow a horse trailer. You can’t. The hitch is strong. Your frame is not. The hitch rating is generic. It fits many vehicles. Your vehicle is specific. Always follow the auto manufacturer’s designated towing capacity. Not the hitch maker’s. The car maker’s.
This chart breaks down towing capacity by year, make, and model. But reading the number isn’t enough. You have to do the math.
Passenger weight exceeding 150 lbs., optional equipment, and additional cargo should be calculated and added into the equation.
If you exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity, you aren’t just breaking rules. You’re compromising handling. Stopping distance increases. The drivetrain takes heat it wasn’t built for. Damage happens. Slowly. Then all at once.
Why Your Hitch Rating Doesn’t Matter as Much as You Think
People obsess over hitch classes. They forget the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). They forget the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating).
The hitch is the weak link only if it’s cheap. Usually, the suspension or the transmission is the weak link. That’s why the manufacturer’s number is the only one that counts.
Below is the data for vehicles from 2006 to 2009. These are older models. Specs change. But the principle remains. Check your manual. Check the placard on the driver’s side door jamb.
Acura Towing Capacity by Year and Model
Acura wasn’t known for heavy towing back then. The MDX was the workhorse. The rest? Light duty.
2006
– MDX: 3,500 lbs
– RL: 1,000 lbs
– RSX: 1,500 lbs
– TL: 1,000 lbs
– TSX: Not rated
2007
– MDX: 5,000 lbs (big jump here)
– RL: 1,000 lbs
– RDX: 1,500 lbs
– TL: 1,000 lbs
– TSX: 1,000 lbs
2008
– MDX: 5,000 lbs
– RL: 1,000 lbs
– RSX: 1,500 lbs
– TL: 1,000 lbs
– TSX: 1,000 lbs
2009
– MDX: 5,000 lbs
– RL: 1,000 lbs
– RSX: 1,500 lbs
– TSX: 1,000 lbs
Audi Towing Capacity by Year and Model
Most Audis from this era don’t tow. The dash is blank. The Q7 is the exception. It’s the only one with any real muscle for pulling.
2006
– A3, A4, A6, A8, S4, TT: Not rated
2007
– Q7: 5,500 lbs
– A3, A4, A6, A8, RS4, S4, S6, S8: Not rated
2008
– Q7: 5,500 lbs
– A3, A4, A5, A6, A8, R8, RS4, S4, S5, S6, S8, TT: Not rated
2009
– Q7: 5,500 lbs
– A3, A4, A5, A8, R8, S4, S5, S8, TT: Not rated
BMW Towing Capacity by Year and Model
BMW SUVs can tow. Sedans generally can’t. The X5 and the new X6 (in 2008) lead the pack. The X3 follows. Everything else is strictly for passengers.
2006
– X3: 3,500 lbs
– X5: 6,000 lbs
– 325, 330, 525, 530, 550, 650, 750, 760, M3, M5, M6, Z4, Z4M: Not rated
2007
– X3: 3,500 lbs
– X5: 6,000 lbs
– 328, 335, 525, 530, 550, 650, 750, 760, Alpina B7, M5, M6, Z4, Z4M: Not rated
2008
– X3: 3,500 lbs
– X5: 6,000 lbs
– X6: 6,000 lbs
– 128, 135, 328, 335, 528, 535, 550, 650, 750, 760, Alpina B7, M3, M5, Z4, Z4M: Not rated
2009
– X3: 3,500 lbs
– X5: 6,000 lbs
– X6: 6,000 lbs
– 128, 135, 328, 335, 528, 535, 550, 750, M3, M5, M6: Not rated
Buick Towing Capacity by Year and Model
Buick had some surprising torque in the Rainier. The sedans? Don’t bother. The Enclave arrived in 2008 with modest capability.
2006
– Rainier: 5,700 lbs
– Rendezvous: 3,500 lbs
– Terraza: 3,500 lbs
– LaCrosse: 1,000 lbs
– Lucerne: 1,000 lbs
2007
– Rainier: 5,800 lbs
– Rendezvous: 3,500 lbs
– LaCrosse: 1,000 lbs
– Lucerne: 1,000 lbs
2008
– Enclave: 2,000 lbs
– LaCrosse: 1,000 lbs
– Lucerne: 1,000 lbs
2009
– Enclave: 2,000 lbs
– LaCrosse: 1,000 lbs
– Lucerne: 1,000 lbs
Cadillac Towing Capacity by Year and Model
The Escalade line dominates here. The ESV and EXT variants push close to 8,000 lbs. The sedans and the SRX are light duty. The hybrid Escalade in 2009 drops significantly.
2006
– Escalade: 7,400 lbs
– Escalade EXT: 7,500 lbs
– Escalade ESV: 7,800 lbs
– CTS, CTS-V, DTS, SRX, STS, STS-V: 1,000 lbs
– XLR, XLR-V: Not rated
2007
– Escalade: 8,000 lbs
– Escalade EXT: 7,600 lbs
– Escalade ESV: 7,800 lbs
– SRX: 2,000 lbs
– CTS, CTS-V, DTS, STS, STS-V: 1,000 lbs
– XLR, XLR-V: Not rated
2008
– Escalade: 8,000 lbs
– Escalade EXT: 7,600 lbs
– Escalade ESV: 7,800 lbs
– SRX: 2,000 lbs
– CTS, DTS, STS, STS-V: 1,000 lbs
– XLR, XLR-V: Not rated
2009
– Escalade: 8,300 lbs
– Escalade EXT: 7,500 lbs
– Escalade ESV: 7,600 lbs
– Escalade Hybrid: 2,000 lbs
– CTS, DTS, SRX, STS, STS-V: 1,000 lbs
– XLR, XLR-V: Not rated
Chevrolet Towing Capacity by Year and Model
Chevy has the broadest range
Chevrolet towing limits and the Chevy Silverado 3500 HD max tow
We left off with the heavy hitters, but let’s look at the rest of the GM family. The Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD is the king here, rated for 9700 lbs. It’s not just a truck; it’s a tow-specialist.
The SUVs are less impressive. A Suburban 1500 maxes out at 5100 lbs. The Suburban 2500 jumps to 9600 lbs, nearly matching the heavy-duty truck. The Tahoe sits at 4500 lbs, while the Tahoe Hybrid manages 6200 lbs. Interesting. The hybrid can tow more than the standard V8 model in some years due to motor assist, though you lose low-end torque feel.
Smaller stuff? The TrailBlazer handles 5400 lbs. The Traverse is a light-tow vehicle at 2000 lbs. Don’t try to pull a large trailer with a Traverse. It’ll melt the transmission.
“Max towing capacity” isn’t a suggestion. It’s the absolute limit before physics and engineering say ‘no.’
How much can a 2006-2009 Chrysler tow?
Chrysler’s lineup from this era is mostly light-duty. The Chrysler 300 and 300C (2006-2009) are rated for 1000 lbs and 2000 lbs respectively. The Crossfire has no tow rating. The Pacifica varies: 1000 lbs in 2006, up to 2600 lbs in 2007-2008, then back to 1000 lbs in 2009. Weird fluctuation.
The PT Cruiser is surprisingly capable in 2006 at 3500 lbs, but drops to 1000 lbs in 2007, then 2600 lbs in 2008, and 1000 lbs in 2009. Check your specific year. The Town & Country minivan goes from 1700 lbs (2006-2007) to 3600 lbs (2008-2009). A big jump.
The Aspen (2007-2009) is rated at 8950 lbs. The Aspen Hybrid (2009) drops to 6000 lbs. The Sebring stays at 1000 lbs across all years.
Dodge towing capacity by year and model
Dodge offers more variety. The Dodge Ram 3500 is the beast, climbing from 10500 lbs in 2006 to 12300 lbs in 2009. The Ram 2500 goes from 9050 lbs to 9300 lbs. The Ram 1500 improves from 2900 lbs to 3800 lbs.
The Dodge Dakota hovers around 3150-3300 lbs. The Durango sits at 3750-3850 lbs, with the Durango Hybrid (2009) hitting 5750 lbs.
Vans: The Dodge Sprinter Van 3500 jumps from 5000 lbs in 2006-2007 to 7500 lbs in 2008-2009. The Sprinter Van 2500 stays at 5000 lbs. The Sprinter Wagon 2500 also holds 5000 lbs.
Cars: The Dodge Charger is rated for 2000 lbs. The Challenger has no rating in 2008, but gets 1000 lbs in 2009. The Avenger is weak at 100 lbs in 2008? That seems like a typo in the source data, but it lists 1000 lbs in 2009. The Nitro holds 3500 lbs.
Ford F-150 towing capacity and Ford truck specs
Ford’s lineup is robust. The Ford F-450 (2008-2009) is the outlier. In 2008, it’s rated at 16000 lbs. In 2009, it drops to 10700 lbs. Check the engine and axle ratio.
The Ford F-350 goes from 8600 lbs (2006) to 10700 lbs (2008-2009). The Ford F-250 varies: 8600 lbs (2006), 10600 lbs (2007), 8700 lbs (2008). The Ford F-150 climbs from 6400 lbs to 8700 lbs by 2009.
SUVs: The Ford Expedition holds 9200 lbs. The Expedition EL is at 9000 lbs. The Explorer is 3110-3500 lbs. The Explorer Sport Trac is 3500 lbs. The Edge and Escape are light-duty at 2000 lbs and 1500 lbs respectively.
Vans: The Ford E-350 Super Duty is rated around 7400-7500 lbs. The E-150 and E-250 hover near 6000-6400 lbs. The Freestar minivan is 3500 lbs.
Cars: The Mustang gets a 1000 lb rating in 2007-2009. The Taurus and Fusion have no ratings or are 1000 lbs.
GMC Sierra towing capacity and GMC truck specs
GMC mirrors Chevy but with slight variations. The GMC Sierra 3500 is rated around 10000-10100 lbs. The Sierra 2500 hits 10400-10500 lbs. The Sierra 1500 is 4000-4800 lbs.
The GMC Canyon (compact truck) goes from 1800 lbs in 2006 to 2400 lbs in 2008-2009.
SUVs: The GMC Yukon XL is rated at 7100-7500 lbs. The Yukon is 4500-5700 lbs. The Yukon Hybrid (2008-2009) is 6200 lbs. The Acadia is 2000 lbs. The Envoy is 5300 lbs.
Vans: The GMC Savana 2500 is 6300 lbs. The Savana 3500 is 6200 lbs. The Savana 1500 is 4300 lbs.
Honda Ridgeline towing capacity and Honda SUV specs
Honda’s towing numbers are modest. The Honda Ridgeline is rated at 5000 lbs in 2006 and 2008, but has no rating listed for 2007. Check your manual.
The Honda Pilot is 3500 lbs in 2006, 2008, and 2009, but no rating in 2007. The Odyssey minivan is consistently 3500 lbs.
Smaller cars: The Honda Civic is 1500 lbs in 2006-2008, dropping to 1000 lbs in 2009. The CR-V, Fit, and Accord generally have no tow rating or are very low. The S2000 has no rating.
Hummer H2 towing capacity and HUMMER specs
Hummer vehicles are heavy, but towing isn’t their primary design goal. The Hummer H2 is rated at 6500-8200 lbs. It hits 8200 lbs in 2008-2009. The Hummer H3 is a small SUV, rated at 3000 lbs. The H3T (pickup version) is 4400 lbs. The H1 Alpha (2006) is a niche beast at 7887 lbs.
Hyundai Santa Fe towing capacity and
Hyundai to Lexus: The Mid-2000s Towing Reality Check
Hyundai kept things simple in the late 2000s. The Sonata pulled 1000 lbs. The Tucson matched it. The Azera joined the club in 2009. The Genesis? Not rated. The Tiburon and Veracruz? No data. If you are looking for heavy-duty capability from a Hyundai sedan or compact SUV from this era, you will not find it.
Infiniti offered a bit more spread. The FX35 and FX45 (later FX 50) could handle 3500 lbs. The QX56 was the beast, rated for 9000 lbs in 2006, 2007, and 2009. The sedans like the G35, M35, and M45 were capped at 1000 lbs. By 2008, many models lost their official towing ratings entirely. The EX35, G37, and others show no number. Do not guess. Stick to the rated ones if you plan to tow.
Isuzu was a niche player then. The Ascender was consistent at 5300 lbs from 2006 to 2008. The i-series trucks varied. The i-280 started at 1700 lbs in 2006, jumped to 2100 in 2007, and hit 2200 in 2008. The i-350 did 4000 lbs in 2006 and 2007, then spiked to 5500 lbs in 2008. A significant jump. Check your specific year.
Jaguar sedans and coupes from 2006 to 2009? No towing capacity listed. Not the S-Type, X-Type, XJ8, XJR, XK8, XKR, or the newer XF. If you are towing with a Jaguar from this period, you are on your own. No official numbers.
Jeep had more options. The Grand Cherokee, Commander, and Liberty were rated for 3500 lbs in 2006 and 2007. The Wrangler and Compass stuck to 1000 lbs. The Patriot was also 1000 lbs. In 2008 and 2009, the Liberty dropped to 2000 lbs. The Wrangler Unlimited joined the lineup in 2008, rated for 1000 lbs. The Grand Cherokee and Commander held steady at 3500 lbs through 2009.
Kia expanded its lineup. The Optima did 2000 lbs in 2006, 2007, and 2008. The Sportage was 1500 lbs in those same years. The Sorento appeared in 2007 and 2008 with a 5000 lbs rating. The Sedona minivan was rated for 3500 lbs in 2007, then dropped out of the list in 2008 and 2009. The 2009 Borrego came in at 5000 lbs. The Rio, Spectra, Rondo, and Amanti had no ratings.
Land Rover was strong. The LR3, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport were all rated for 7700 lbs in 2006. The LR3 held that in 2007. The Range Rover Sport jumped slightly to 7716 lbs in 2007 and stayed there through 2009. The LR3 was updated to 7716 lbs in 2009. The LR2 started with no rating in 2008, then was rated for 3500 lbs in 2009. The main Range Rover also hit 7716 lbs in 2009. Note the missing data for 2008 on most models.
Lexus had high-capacity SUVs. The GX 470 and LX 470 both did 6500 lbs in 2006 and 2007. The RX 330 and RX 400h were rated for 3500 lbs in 2006 and 2007. The LS 430 did 2000 lbs in 2006. In 2008, the LX 570 replaced the 470 and jumped to 8500 lbs. The RX 350 and RX 400h dropped to 2000 lbs. The GX 470 stayed at 6500 lbs. The sedans like the ES, GS, IS, and SC had no ratings. The LS 460 and LS 600h also showed no data.
Lincoln to Mercedes-Benz: Luxury and Utility Diverge
Lincoln had heavy hitters. The Mark LT was rated for 8900 lbs from 2006 to 2008. The Navigator did 6000 lbs in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. The Town Car was capped at 2000 lbs. The MKX did 2000 lbs in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The MKZ had no rating. The 2009 MKS was rated for 1000 lbs. The LS and Zephyr from 2006 had no data.
Mazda’s trucks were modest. The B2300 ranged from 1580 to 1600 lbs. The B3000 did 2480 to 2500 lbs. The B4000 hit 3100 to 3140 lbs. The CX-7 and CX-9 were rated for 2000 lbs in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The MPV did 2000 lbs in 2006. The Tribute was 1500 lbs in 2006 and 2008, with a Hybrid version hitting 2000 lbs in 2008. The sedans and coupes like the Mazda3, Mazda6, MX-5, and RX-8 had no ratings.
Mercedes-Benz saw a huge shift. In 2006, the ML350 and ML500 were rated for only 2000 lbs. The sedans and coupes had no ratings. In 2007, the ML lineup jumped to 7200 lbs for the ML320, ML350, ML500, and ML63 AMG. The new GL320 did 7500 lbs. The GL450 and G500 did 7000 lbs. In 2008, the GL550 joined at 7500 lbs. The G55 also did 7000 lbs. The ML320, ML350, ML550, and ML63 AMG stayed at 7200 lbs. In 2009, the ML350 remained at 7200 lbs. The GL450 and GL550 held at 7500 lbs. The sedans and coupes still had no ratings.
Do not assume a luxury car can tow just because it looks strong. Check the spec sheet. Many of these models from 2006 to 2009 had no official towing capacity listed. If it is not there, do not risk it. The SUVs and trucks had the numbers. The sedans and coupes did not. Know your limit.
Mercedes, Mini, Mitsubishi: When Luxury Meets Towing
Mercedes gets tricky. You want to tow with an ML320? You can. Up to 7200 pounds. Same for the ML550 and the ML63 AMG. That’s serious haulage for a German SUV. Then you look at the R-Class. 3500 lbs. The S-Class, SL, and SLK? Don’t bother. They’re rated for nothing. It’s not a limitation of engineering necessarily, but of intent. You don’t put a trailer hitch on a grand tourer.
Mini isn’t trying. Not in 2006 through 2009. Cooper Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, John Cooper Works. All of them have zero rated towing capacity. If you hook a trailer to a Mini, you’re doing it at your own risk. The chassis isn’t built for the leverage. The suspension will complain. The engine will hate it.
Mitsubishi splits the difference. The Montero leads the pack with 5000 lbs in 2006. The Raider follows with 4050 lbs, dropping to 4000 later. The Endeavor fluctuates wildly. 3500 in 2006, down to 2000 in 2007, back to 3500 in 2008. Check your year. The Lancer and Outlander sit lower, around 1500 to 2000 lbs. Sedans like the Eclipse and Galant? No go.
Nissan’s Heavy Hitters and Compact Limits
Nissan knows how to build trucks. The 2006 to 2009 Titan and Armada both hit 6500 lbs. That’s top-tier for the era. The Frontier sits close behind at 6300 lbs. The Pathfinder manages 6000 lbs, which is impressive for a crossover-sized SUV. The Xterra handles 5000 lbs.
But look at the rest. The Murano and Quest max out at 3500 lbs. The Altima, Maxima, Sentra, and Rogue? They’re capped at 1000 lbs. The Versa and GT-R aren’t rated for towing at all. You don’t tow with a sports car. You drive it.
Pontiac, Porsche, and the Saab Surprise
Pontiac’s lineup is mostly light duty. The Montana SV6 and Torrent both handle 3500 lbs. The Vibe starts at 1500 lbs but drops to 1000 by 2009. The G6, G5, Grand Prix, and GTO are all stuck at 1000 lbs. The Solstice? No rating. The G8, introduced in 2008, manages 2000 lbs. It’s a rear-wheel-drive coupe with a V6, so 2000 is decent, but don’t push it.
Porsche’s Cayenne is the outlier. It can tow 7716 lbs. That’s nearly 8000 pounds. The 911, Boxster, and Cayman? Zero. Porsche makes a truck that looks like a sports car. Everything else is pure performance.
Saab offers some respectable numbers for a niche brand. The 9-7X hits 5500 lbs. The 9-5 does 3500 lbs. The 9-3 and 9-2X max out at 2000 lbs. It’s consistent across the 2006 to 2009 model years. Saab didn’t change its towing strategy. It just kept building the same cars.
Saturn, Scion, Smart: The Zero-Tolerance Zone
Saturn’s Relay is the only one that matters here. 3500 lbs. The Outlook handles 2000 lbs. The VUE and Aura cap at 1500 and 1000 lbs respectively. The Ion, Astra, Sky, and Aura Hybrid have no rated capacity. Saturn tried to be green with the hybrids, but that meant giving up towing.
Scion? All zeros. The tC, xA, xB, and xD. None of them are rated for towing. They’re youth-oriented, small, and light. Not for hauling.
Smart’s fortwo? Don’t even think about it. Zero capacity. It’s a city car.
Subaru: Wagon Wagons and Tribeca Power
Subaru’s B9 Tribeca (later just Tribeca) starts at 3500 lbs in 2006 and 2007, then drops to 2700 lbs in 2008 and 2009. Why the drop? Rerating. Safety margins. The Baja does 2400 lbs. The Forester also sits at 2400 lbs for most of this period, then drops to zero in 2009? Check your manual. The Impreza Wagon and Outback Sport handle 2000 lbs. The Legacy Sedan and Wagon, along with the Outback, manage 2700 lbs. The sedans and WRX/STi models have no towing capacity. Subaru’s AWD helps, but weight is still weight.
Suzuki Towing Capacity
The list ends here for Suzuki. No data provided in the source. Check the manual if you have a Grand Vitara or X-90 from this era. They usually hover around 1500 to 2000 lbs, but without the official spec, you’re guessing. And guessing with tow trucks is expensive.
Suzuki Towing Limits: The XL7 Exception and the Rest of the Pack
Suzuki’s lineup from 2006 to 2009 was mostly small cars that weren’t built for hauling. The Forenza, Reno, and Verona all capped out at 1000 lbs. The Aerio didn’t have a rating at all. If you wanted to tow anything substantial, you needed an SUV.
The Grand Vitara held steady at 3000 lbs for most of this period, dropping to no rating in 2009. The XL7 was the heavy lifter, starting at 3000 lbs in 2006 and 2007, then bumping up to 3500 lbs for 2007, 2008, and 2009. Wait, check that. The source says 3000 for 2006/2007 and 3500 for 2007/2008/2009. It’s a bit messy in the data, but generally, the XL7 was the go-to. By 2009, the XL7’s rating disappeared from the chart entirely, along with the Equator and SX4. The Grand Vitara also lost its rating that year. Suzuki was winding down its US presence.
Toyota Towing Capacity: From the Corolla to the Tundra
Toyota offered a much wider range. On the low end, the Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4 all sat at 1500 lbs. The Avalon was stuck at 1000 lbs throughout the period. The Highlander started at 1500 lbs in 2006 but jumped to 2000 lbs in 2008. The Highlander Hybrid was interesting: it started at 2000 lbs in 2006 but jumped to 3500 lbs in 2007 and stayed there.
For serious towing, you looked at the trucks and large SUVs. The 4Runner and FJ Cruiser both maxed out at 5000 lbs. The Sienna minivan did 3500 lbs, same as the Tacoma.
The Tundra and Sequoia were the heavy hitters. In 2006, the Tundra could tow 6800 lbs, while the Sequoia was at 6500 lbs. But in 2007, the Tundra’s rating dropped to 4800 lbs, where it stayed through 2009. The Sequoia remained at 6500 lbs until 2008, when it jumped to 7800 lbs. The Land Cruiser was the outlier, starting at 6500 lbs, jumping to 8500 lbs in 2008, and hitting a massive 9935 lbs in 2009.
Hybrids like the Prius and Camry Hybrid had no towing ratings. The Camry itself got a 1000 lb rating in 2007, up from nothing in 2006.
Volkswagen Towing: The Touareg Dominance
Volkswagen’s passenger cars—Golf, Jetta, Beetle, Passat, Rabbit —all had no towing ratings. This continued for the Eos, GLI, and R32. If you wanted to tow in a VW, you needed the Touareg.
The first-gen Touareg (2006-2007) had a rating of 7716 lbs. The second-gen Touareg 2 (2009) matched that exact figure. In 2008, the Touareg 2 had no rating listed.
The Routan minivan appeared in 2009 with a 2000 lb capacity. The Tiguan also debuted in 2009, rated for 2200 lbs.
Volvo Towing: The S60 Standout
Volvo’s data is sparse. Most models—C70, S40, S80, V50, V70, XC70, XC90 —had no listed towing capacity for any year from 2006 to 2009.
The only exception was the S60 in 2006, which had a
