Best Small SUV For Towing: Top-Rated Plus Affordable

It is not true because there are SUVs or compact SUVs that are perfect for towing tasks. Plus, these best small SUV for towing will not let you feel like breaking the bank for the purchase.

People consider towing a massive chore that only big SUVs or trucks appear to handle well. When it comes to purchasing a towing vehicle, investing a huge amount seems the only way. 

Best Small SUV For Towing: Here Goes The List

Towing may be needed for different purposes, such as when you need to drag a car that is stuck on the highway. Or when you want to carry the RV or your camping vehicle along, towing is required. 

The top 8 best small SUV for towing we are going to list here are great as everyday vehicles as well as pulling machines. Let’s head to the list here-

1. 2019 Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox is one of the best small SUV for towing. It is redesigned and launched in the year 2019. 

The new Chevy Equinox is more fuel-efficient and lightweight by almost 400 pounds than the previous edition. There are several engine options that you can get under the hood.

The engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. 

It can be a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Both variations can tow almost 3,500 lbs making it an excellent compact SUV.

The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox’s MSRP is $23,800.

small suv with high towing capacity
There are several engine options of the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox that you can get under the hood. (Photo: Car and Driver)

2. 2019 Ford Escape

The name is right because you can’t escape the Ford Escape for its high horsepower and torque. This new generation Ford is more innovative for its powerful engine, cargo space, and of course, the towing capability. 

While you are setting up a camp or going trekking, use the vast cargo space and tow the remaining items gracefully.

It comes with three engine options: a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 168 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine for 245 horsepower. 

The maximum towing capacity is 3,500 lbs depending on the trim you get.

The MSRP is: $24,105

small SUV for towing
The best small SUV for setting a camp or going for trekking (Photo: Ford)

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3. 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

Another compact SUV on the list of the best compact SUV for towing is the 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander. Undoubtedly, it is an affordable SUV, just like the mentioned ones. 

The SUV features three rows of seating, and that makes it perfect for a family where you can tow the extra baggage on holidays. The engines are a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder for 166 horsepower and a 3.0-liter V6 engine for 224 horsepower. 

A buyer can come across the plug-in hybrid as well, which is a four-cylinder engine that produces 197 horsepower.  The towing capacity is again up to 3,500 lbs.

The MSRP is $24,695

best small suv towing capacity

Mitsubishi Outlander is an affordable SUV featuring full 3 rows of seating. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors)

4. 2019 GMC Terrain

GMC Terrain falls among the budget-friendly SUVs too. It is known especially for its towing facility rather than the interior space which is a bit compromised if we compare it to other SUVs. 

As its former versions, the 2019 SUV contains less weight and the cargo space remains the same.

Also, as the company primarily excels in truck manufacturing, it adds up the towing capacity to its SUVs as well. 

It comes with three engine options: the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for 170 horsepower, a 2.0-liter turbo-four for 252 horsepower, and a turbo-diesel powertrain that can produce 137 horsepower. The 2.0 provides a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,500 lbs.

You can always ask for the small SUV towing capacity comparison chart from the brand representatives while in the showroom. Its MSRP is $25,000.

small suv with towing capacity
The GMC Terrain is known especially for its towing facility. (Photo: Car Buzz)

5. 2019 Jeep Wrangler

Jeeps are well-known for their off-road capabilities so you can consider buying this year. The Jeep lets you drive in the best manner on different surfaces no matter if it is mud or bumps. 

A Wrangler can be used to tow the vehicle easily if you have got the stuff that is not fitting inside.

You can choose from two engine options: the V6 engine with 285 horsepower and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower. The 2-door Wrangler can tow up to 2,000 lbs, and the 4-door can carry up to 3,500 lbs.

The MSRP is $28,045

best small SUV to tow
The Jeep lets you drive in the best manner (Photo: Wallpaper-house)

6. 2019 Kia Sorento

The 2019 Kia Sorento is known for its captivating exterior as well as the new driving assistance features. The SUV is known for both style and practicality and hence makes towing possible. 

All the trims are supposed to tow weight up to 2,000 lbs except the LX trim which can carry up to 3500 lbs. Surprisingly, there is an option for all-wheel-drive as well that can drag even 5,000 lbs easily.

Get to know more brands along with their models and how each one performs here Car Reviews.

The MSRP is $33,090.

good small suv for towing
The Kia Sorento is known for both style and practicality and hence makes towing possible. (Photo: The Car Connection)

7. Ford Edge

It is another one by Ford that is a midsize SUV; it is known for its spacious cabin, excellent handling, and overall comfortable driving. 

The car features the models with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 2.7-liter V6 that can tow up to 3,500 pounds. All the models come with all-wheel-drive, and that is an added benefit when it comes to pulling efficiently.

There are other trims as well such as SEL that come with a complete towing package including the hitch receiver, wiring harness, and trailer sway control. 

These trims make the towing even stronger, so make sure you inquire about these trims too, or at least the trim package.

The MSRP is $37,800

best compact suv for towing
Edge is another best small SUV for towing by Ford. (Photo: Motor1)

8. 2018 Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler Pacifica too holds the power to tow your vehicle other than providing its amazing specs, an upscale interior, and great riding experience. To make the towing possible, you need to buy its towing kit. The kit includes four- and seven-pin wiring harnesses, trailer-sway damping, heavy-duty radiator and 220-amp alternator, and a Class II hitch receiver.

Embedding the kit with the Chrysler Pacifica enables you to drag the vehicle powerfully. As a result, it can tow a weight up to 3,600 lbs.

The MSRP is: $36,940

 2018 Chrysler Pacifica
To make the towing possible, you need to buy its towing kit. (Photo: 12365 Auto)

Conclusion

So these are our eight best small SUV for towing that you can consider price-wise or feature-wise. Make sure to ask about the towing kit as it can help you carry the weight with ease without damaging the chassis of the SUV.