9 Small SUVs With The Highest Towing Capacity
There are many small SUVs on the market that can tow sizable loads, but what small SUVs have the highest towing capacity? Though small SUVs may not be as spacious and powerful as larger SUVs, they can strike a nice balance for drivers wanting good speed, handling, and interior space in a compact vehicle. They might also be capable of towing enough weight to meet your needs.
What small SUVs have the highest towing capacity?
The best small SUVs with the highest towing capacity include:
- 2022 Jeep Cherokee
- 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport
- 2022 Porsche Macan
- 2022 Audi Q5
- 2022 BMW X3
- 2022 Jaguar E-PACE
- 2022 Ford Escape
- 2022 Toyota RAV4
- 2023 Mazda CX-50
A small SUV can be a great vehicle for people that want solid performance and ample cabin space in a compact vehicle. Though larger SUVs can be great for carrying passengers and cargo, they can often be harder to drive in certain areas.
We’ll tell you more about small SUVs with the highest towing capacity to see if they meet all your requirements. Some of these vehicles might have a more luxurious style, while others may offer better features and value.
What Small SUVs Can Tow 5,000 lbs?
Small SUVs can provide excellent value when it comes to pricing, power, space, and features.
The definition of a small SUV can be different for different people, so a midsize SUV might be considered small to people that own a large SUV.
In regards to this list, we’ll be focusing on compact SUVs and compact crossover SUVs that have the highest towing capacity.
Since the SUV with the highest towing capacity on this list has a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 lbs, we do not list any small SUVs that can tow 5,000 lbs.
If you’re looking for an SUV that can tow 5,000 lbs, you should look at larger SUVs such as the Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder.
9 Small SUVs With The Highest Towing Capacity
2022 Jeep Cherokee
Maximum Towing Capacity: 4,500 lbs
The Jeep Cherokee is one of the most familiar SUV models in the entire SUV market.
Though it’s on the larger end of the small SUV spectrum, it can still be considered a small SUV since it’s classified as a compact crossover SUV.
The 2022 Jeep Cherokee tops our list of small SUVs with the highest towing capacity.
This vehicle can tow up to 4,500 lbs, which is near the towing range of many midsize SUVs.
Along with being a powerful small SUV, the Jeep Cherokee is a sleek and stylish city vehicle that can be driven off-road.
As a popular Jeep vehicle, it’s no surprise that Jeep would make this vehicle capable of being driven well on rougher terrain.
For drivers that want more of an everyday vehicle for commutes and city driving, the Jeep Cherokee is an SUV that can be easy to drive
It also has many helpful and convenient features that are smoothly integrated within the cabin of the vehicle.
The Jeep Cherokee dashboard and entertainment system are easy to navigate and provide many features for accessing media and drive data.
Since it’s one of the larger SUVs on this list, it’s probably not surprising to know the Jeep Cherokee’s fuel economy is below average.
The Jeep Cherokee has always been sold in a relatively affordable price range.
The 2022 Jeep Cherokee starts at around $30, 000 with standard features.
Some of the standout features of the Jeep Cherokee include Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay, parking sensors, heated seats, and turn signal mirrors.
2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport
Maximum Towing Capacity: 4,409 lbs
Higher up on the price scale is the Land Rover Discovery Sport, which is a compact luxury crossover SUV.
With a starting price tag of around $45,000, the 2023 Land Rover Discovery Sport is a more affordable version of the larger Land Rover Discovery, which starts around $56,000.
Even with a smaller frame, the Land Rover Discovery Sport is capable of towing a trailer with a load of up to 4,409 lbs.
Although the Land Rover Discovery Sport is smaller and less expensive, it packs many features that can be appreciated by any driver looking for an SUV with a wide range of modern features.
It also has a generous amount of interior space that can allow up to 5 passengers to ride comfortably.
Some of the top features of the Land Rover Discovery Sport include an around-view camera, power trunk and liftgate, Wi-Fi, collision warning, Apple CarPlay, adaptive cruise control, and remote engine start.
The Land Rover Discovery Sport also performs well when it comes to driving on different surfaces from paved city roads to rugged dirt trails.
This small SUV has among the highest capacities for cargo space and solid power in its 2.0 L four-cylinder engine.
One of the downsides to this vehicle is its relatively low fuel economy and less stable rides compared to its competitors.
2022 Porsche Macan
Maximum Towing Capacity: 4,409 lbs
The next small SUV on the list comes from one of the most recognizable names in luxury vehicles.
The Porsche Macan is a sporty and powerful compact luxury SUV with enough power to tow up to 4,409 lbs.
Some of the highlight features of the Porsche Macan include fog lights, heated seats, Apple CarPlay, parking sensors, and turn signal mirrors.
The Porsche Macan is known to be a fun SUV to drive and is bound to turn heads on and off the road.
Though it’s one of the more expensive small SUVs on this list, it is quite inexpensive compared to other Porsche models.
The overall cabin space of the Porsche Macan is decent, but some have complained of the rear seating space being too tight.
There are many features and options for the 2022 Porsche Macan, so buyers looking to customize their vehicle will have many choices with this SUV.
The base model of the Porsche Macan offers impressive features such as a 2.0 liter turbocharged engine with all-wheel drive.
It has a sport-tuned suspension that can deliver better handling and more comfortable rides compared to standard suspension systems.
The Porsche Macan can be a great vehicle to drive on a variety of road surfaces and conditions.
The value of the Porsche Macan goes deeper than just visual style and brand recognition.
It delivers a full-featured SUV experience that combines good power, handling, comfort, functionality, entertainment, and luxury features.
2022 Audi Q5
Maximum Towing Capacity: 4,400 lbs
The Audi Q5 is another higher-priced compact luxury crossover SUV on this list that packs loads of features with excellent driving capabilities.
The starting price hovers around $44,000, but the cost can be well worth it for drivers wanting a higher towing capacity in a relatively small SUV.
As a crossover SUV, the Audi Q5 is designed to fit in well with everyday city driving to work, school, and shopping centers.
It’s also a capable SUV for heading out of town on weekend getaways to the desert, mountains, beaches, and other more nature-oriented locations.
Even if you are a safe driver, the Audi Q5 provides many advanced features that can be helpful for navigating hills, parking spots, tricky curves, and areas with people and objects nearby.
Some helpful driving features include forward collision warning, hill descent assist, and an around-view camera that gives you a 360-degree view around your vehicle.
The Audi Q5 also has convenient features that can be useful when your vehicle is parked or on the go.
It includes and hand-free power trunk that is helpful when you’re carrying armloads of groceries
The Audi Q5 can also minimize fuel consumption and emissions with its start-stop system, which decreases engine idling time by automatically regulating the engine’s internal combustion.
In terms of interior features, the Audi Q5 has outstanding features that can provide significant conveniences for drivers and passengers.
The Audi Q5 occupants can access internet service in the vehicle via Wi-Fi.
This can be especially pleasing to children and other occupants that don’t have access to mobile data.
The infotainment screen in the center console has a size of 10.1 inches, which should be enough for most people to easily see and use.
2022 BMW X3
Maximum Towing Capacity: 4,400 lbs
Though the BMW X3 is not the smallest SUV in the BMW X series, it is still considered a small SUV since it’s a compact luxury crossover.
The base BMW X3 has an impressive 2.0 L four-cylinder engine with an optional six cylinders.
It has enough horsepower and torque to tow up to 4,400 lbs, which is enough to attach many types of boats and campers.
While the classic BMW style is maintained in the 2022 BMW X3, more modern design elements are also visible.
I appreciate how BMW is able to regularly update its style to freshen it up for modern times.
We can go back 10 to 20 years or more and still recognize a BMW as being a BMW.
The same will likely be said in the future about BMW models released today.
As far as the BMW X3 goes, it offers much more than a stylish ride as it has an excellent towing capacity for a small SUV.
It can perform well when it comes to speed and handling any many types of roads.
The BMW X3 has a relatively high ground clearance of 8 inches, which can allow drivers to drive smoother over rough and bumpy roads.
The BMW X3 has options for rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, so if you’re into occasional off-road excursions, an all-wheel drive vehicle might serve you well.
Even though the BMW X3 isn’t the largest model in the BMW X series, it still offers impressive space in the vehicle’s cabin.
Occupants should be fairly comfortable during rides in the city or out in the countryside.
When the occupancy isn’t at full capacity, the interior space can provide more room for luggage and other cargo.
One of the best features I like about the BMW X3 is its curve-adaptive headlights.
These headlights are able to detect when the vehicle is approaching a curve and can move in the direction of the curve to illuminate more of the oncoming road.
This feature can do wonders for safely when driving at night on curvy roads without inadequate lighting.
2022 Jaguar E-PACE
Maximum Towing Capacity: 3,968 lbs
The final luxury SUV on our list is at the lower end of the luxury pricing spectrum.
With a starting price of around $43,000, the 2022 Jaguar E-PACE is an all-around great value for a smaller luxury SUV.
Though there are many other small SUVs priced much lower, you likely won’t get the same level of prestige, capabilities, and features as you’d get with the Jaguar E-PACE.
As the smallest SUV manufactured by Jaguar, the Jaguar E-PACE can tow a respectable 3,968 lbs, which is more than several higher-priced SUVs.
The overall look of the Jaguar E-PACE is highly refined and modern from inside out.
It has advanced features that can help drivers make their way safely through various road conditions.
The forward collision warning feature informs drivers of oncoming threats in an automated way.
There are also parking sensors at the front and rear of the Jaguar E-PACE to help drivers get through tight parking situations.
The Jaguar E-PACE has several features mentioned in previous SUVs on this list including an around-view camera, Wi-Fi, remote engine start, collision warning, power trunk, and Apple CarPlay for road-friendly phone management.
The Jaguar E-PACE also has wireless charging so occupants can charge their phones in a more hassle-free way.
2022 Ford Escape
Maximum Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs
Though there are other small SUVs with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, we’re including the Ford Escape in this list due to its relatively low price.
We’ve already talked about luxury vehicles priced over $40,000, so we wanted to include a much lower priced small SUV that can tow a sizable load.
If pricing is a main issue for you, it should be good news to know the 2022 Ford Escape has a starting price of around $29,000.
The Ford Escape has been around for over 20 years and remains a popular model in Ford’s line of SUVs.
This vehicle is particularly well-suited for families due to its strong standard safety features, smooth ride, and good fuel economy.
Some notable safety features of the 2022 Ford Escape include pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and rear parking sensors.
These features can come in handy in busy areas such as school parking lots and drop-off points.
The 2022 Ford Escape can produce around 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway.
That kind of gas mileage is quite a step up from some of the small luxury SUVs we went over earlier.
Since the 2022 Ford Escape isn’t a luxury vehicle and it has a fairly low price tag, it contains interior and auto body materials that aren’t as premium in quality.
There is more plastic in the build of the 2022 Ford Escape compared to other vehicles in the list.
If you’re looking for a lower-priced small SUV with a solid towing capacity, then the 2022 Ford Escape might be a better value than a small luxury SUV.
Though the small luxury SUVs mentioned earlier on this list have a higher towing capacity than the 2022 Ford Escape, there are other small luxury SUVs not on this list with a towing capacity lower than 3,500 lbs.
For example, the 2022 Infiniti QX50 and 2022 Lincoln Corsair are compact luxury crossover SUVs that cost more than the 2022 Ford Escape and have lower maximum towing capacities.
The maximum towing capacities for those two vehicles are both 3,000 lbs.
2023 Mazda CX-50
Maximum Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs
The Mazda CX-50 is the final small SUV on our list, but far from the least valuable.
It has a solid maximum towing capacity for a compact crossover SUV with a starting price under $30,000.
Unlike other vehicles on this list the 2023 Mazda CX-50 comes standard with all-wheel drive.
The all-wheel drive will provide extra control and traction with driving off-road or in rougher weather conditions.
For a small SUV in its price range, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 is quite powerful and luxurious.
Even if you’re not fond of the exterior design, the interior might prove to be comparable in design quality to more expensive SUVs.
Though the 2023 Mazda CX-50 received some criticism of the lack of features in its infotainment system, the vehicle still offers many useful features to enhance safety, comfort, and performance.
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 has many of the features included in other vehicles on this list such as a power trunk, adaptive cruise control, and curve adaptive headlights.
With the abundance of blind spots on most vehicles, 2023 Mazda CX-50 drivers can use the vehicle’s blind spot system for automatic detection of nearby obstructions.
It also has cooled front seats and a head-up display for easier viewing of driving data.