Short answer
The Ford Expedition 4x4 is the best overall pick here for its 9,600 lb maximum and trailer-assistance features. The Sequoia is the hybrid alternative, while the Tahoe, Armada and Durango suit different family and trailer needs.
- Market
- United States, 2025 model specifications
- Highest quoted capacity
- Expedition 4x4, up to 9,600 lb
- Weight to compare
- Loaded boat and trailer together
The 5 Best SUVs for Towing a Boat at a Glance
| SUV | Best fit | Maximum tow rating · lb | Configuration for quoted maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Best overall | Up to 9,600 lb | Standard-wheelbase 4x4 with Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package |
 | Best hybrid option | Up to 9,520 lb | SR5 4x2 for the maximum rating |
 | Best powertrain choice | Up to 8,400 lb | 5.3-litre V8, 2WD and Max Trailering Package |
 | Best straightforward tow specification | Up to 8,500 lb | Properly equipped 2025 Armada, including required hitch equipment |
 | Best smaller-bodied V8 option | Up to 8,700 lb | R/T AWD with Tow N Go, not a standard R/T |
No entries match your search.
The scale of the difference
Maximum braked-trailer capacity · lb
First 5 entries shown. Bar lengths compare the magnitude of the reported values.
- Ford Expedition 4x4Up to 9,600 lb
- Toyota SequoiaUp to 9,520 lb
- Chevrolet TahoeUp to 8,400 lb
- Nissan ArmadaUp to 8,500 lb
- Dodge Durango R/T Tow N Go AWDUp to 8,700 lb
The 5 Best SUVs for Towing a Boat: Entry Details
Ford Expedition 4x4
2025 US specificationThe Expedition combines the highest quoted limit here with trailer hitch and backing assistance. The longer MAX has a different maximum.
- Best fit
- Best overall
- Required configuration
- Standard-wheelbase 4x4 with Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package
- Maximum trailer rating
- 9,600 lb
Toyota Sequoia
2025 US specificationToyota’s i-FORCE MAX hybrid works with a tow/haul setting and integrated trailer brake controller. Tow Tech adds backing assistance on equipped grades.
- Best fit
- Best hybrid option
- Required configuration
- SR5 4x2 for the maximum rating
- Maximum trailer rating
- 9,520 lb
Chevrolet Tahoe
2025 US specificationThe Tahoe offers a choice of gasoline and diesel powertrains, plus trailer-oriented camera and assistance features. The maximum belongs to a specific gasoline configuration.
- Best fit
- Best powertrain choice
- Required configuration
- 5.3-litre V8, 2WD and Max Trailering Package
- Maximum trailer rating
- 8,400 lb
Nissan Armada
2025 US specificationThe new Armada brings a twin-turbo V6 and trailer technology to its full-size family body. Its published maximum is shared across the model grades.
- Best fit
- Best straightforward tow specification
- Required configuration
- Properly equipped 2025 Armada, including required hitch equipment
- Maximum trailer rating
- 8,500 lb
Dodge Durango R/T Tow N Go AWD
2025 US specificationThe Tow N Go package lets a smaller SUV than the full-size picks pull a substantial boat trailer. Its towing figure should not be applied to an ordinary R/T.
- Best fit
- Best smaller-bodied V8 option
- Required configuration
- R/T AWD with Tow N Go, not a standard R/T
- Maximum trailer rating
- 8,700 lb
The 5 Best SUVs for Towing a Boat: Analysis
Why the Expedition gets the overall recommendation
Ford combines a high trailer rating with hitch and backing assistance that can help an owner manoeuvre a boat trailer in confined spaces. The standard-wheelbase 4x4 is the relevant choice for the largest quoted capacity, while the MAX prioritises extra space and carries a lower limit.
Match the configuration to the boat
The Sequoia offers a hybrid towing approach, the Tahoe brings a broader powertrain choice and the Armada has a straightforward full-size towing specification. Durango’s appeal is a smaller V8 SUV, but the Tow N Go package is central to that recommendation. Count the trailer, fuel and equipment with the boat before matching it to the vehicle’s rating.
Our verdict
Our boat-towing verdict
Start with the Expedition for larger trailers and family use. Choose the Sequoia for its hybrid powertrain, the Tahoe for engine choice, the Armada for its consistent advertised maximum or the Durango Tow N Go for a smaller V8 SUV.
Strengths
- Five distinct powertrain and packaging choices
- Documented towing equipment
Things to consider
- Maximum trailer capacity depends on configuration
- Passengers, cargo and trailer tongue weight also use vehicle payload
FAQ: The 5 Best SUVs for Towing a Boat
Which SUV here has the highest tow rating?
The standard-wheelbase Expedition 4x4 reaches up to 9,600 lb with its Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package.
Does every Sequoia tow 9,520 lb?
No. The highest published figure belongs to the SR5 4x2. Other grades and four-wheel drive have different limits.
Can a standard Durango R/T tow 8,700 lb?
The listed recommendation is the R/T AWD with Tow N Go. An ordinary R/T has a different rating.
Should the boat’s dry weight be used for the comparison?
Use the loaded boat and trailer weight, including fuel and carried equipment. Check tongue weight and remaining SUV payload as well.
Sources & methodology
An editorial US shortlist using 2025 manufacturer specifications. Selection considers trailer capacity, towing and backing assistance, powertrain choice and family packaging. List order is an editorial recommendation, not a descending towing-capacity ranking. The chart compares only the quoted numerical maximums. Ratings are braked-trailer ceilings for the specified configurations, not a guarantee for a vehicle with different equipment. Expedition is the standard-wheelbase 4x4 with Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, Sequoia’s maximum is SR5 4x2, Tahoe’s is 5.3-litre 2WD with Max Trailering Package, Armada uses its properly equipped model specification and Durango is R/T AWD with Tow N Go. Vehicle-specific payload, gross combined weight and tongue-weight limits remain relevant. Reference photographs identify differences in trim and model year without transferring a capacity to the photographed car.
Maintained by Artsiom Dusau, a software engineer and BMW 4 Series owner. Editorial policy
View sources (8)
- Ford, 2025 Expedition towing specifications and assistance
- Toyota, 2025 Sequoia towing and Tow Tech
- Toyota, 2025 Sequoia specification brochure
- Chevrolet, 2025 Tahoe powertrains and trailering
- Chevrolet, 2025 Trailering Guide
- Nissan, 2025 Armada press kit
- Stellantis, 2025 Durango model and package information
- Stellantis, 2025 Durango specification sheet
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