You can buy a Class IV hitch rated for 12,000 pounds. It doesn’t mean your mid-size sedan can pull it. Towing capacity is defined by the manufacturer, not the hardware you bolt to the frame. The number in your owner’s manual is the hard limit. Ignore it and you risk drivetrain failure, brake fade, or losing control on an interstate curve.
People look for a towing capacity by year make and model chart to avoid digging through paper manuals. This data covers vehicles from 2006 to 2009. It’s specific. It’s static. But you have to do the math yourself. Passenger weight over 150 pounds, optional equipment, and cargo all subtract from your payload capacity. If your payload is gone, your towing capacity drops to zero.
Here is the breakdown by brand.
Acura Towing Limits
Acura wasn’t built for heavy hauling, but their SUVs can handle light loads. The MDX is the only real contender here.
| Year | Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | MDX | 3500 |
| 2007-2009 | MDX | 5000 |
| 2006-2009 | RL | 1000 |
| 2006-2009 | RSX | 1500 |
| 2006-2009 | TL | 1000 |
| 2007-2009 | TSX | 1000 |
| 2007 | RDX | 1500 |
The 2006 MDX was capped at 3,500 lbs. The 2007 refresh bumped it to 5,000 lbs. Every sedan listed maxes out at 1,000 lbs. That’s a small trailer. Maybe a horse box. Nothing more.
Audi Towing Limits
Audi is largely non-towing in this era, except for one SUV.
| Year | Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2007-2009 | Q7 | 5500 |
| 2006-2009 | All Others | – |
If you drive an A4, A6, S4, or TT from these years, you aren’t towing. The Q7 stands alone at 5,500 lbs. It’s a capable figure for a luxury SUV, but remember the weight penalty of the vehicle itself.
BMW Towing Limits
BMW’s strategy here is similar to Audi. Sedans and coupes are off-limits. The SAVs (Sports Activity Vehicles) carry the load.
| Year | Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006-2009 | X3 | 3500 |
| 2006-2009 | X5 | 6000 |
| 2008-2009 | X6 | 6000 |
| 2006-2009 | All Others | – |
The X5 and X6 hit 6,000 lbs. The X3 is strictly 3,500 lbs. Don’t confuse the X5 with the X3. The difference is 2,500 pounds. That’s a significant margin.
Buick Towing Limits
Buick had a wider variety of towing options in the late 2000s, including body-on-frame SUVs that are now discontinued.
| Year | Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Rainier | 5700 |
| 2007 | Rainier | 5800 |
| 2006-2007 | Rendezvous | 3500 |
| 2006 | Terraza | 3500 |
| 2008-2009 | Enclave | 2000 |
| 2006-2009 | LaCrosse | 1000 |
| 2006-2009 | Lucerne | 1000 |
The Rainier is the heavyweight here, nearing 6,000 lbs. The Rendezvous and Terraza sit at 3,500 lbs. The Enclave, introduced in 2008, is surprisingly low at 2,000 lbs. It’s a unibody crossover, not a truck. Plan accordingly.
Cadillac Towing Limits
Cadillac offers the highest capacities in this group thanks to the Escalade lineup.
| Year | Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Escalade | 7400 |
| 2007-2008 | Escalade | 8000 |
| 2009 | Escalade | 8300 |
| 2006 | Escalade ESV | 7800 |
| 2007-2008 | Escalade ESV | 7800 |
| 2009 | Escalade ESV | 7600 |
| 2006 | Escalade EXT | 7500 |
| 2007-2008 | Escalade EXT | 7600 |
| 2009 | Escalade EXT | 7500 |
| 2009 | Escalade Hybrid | 2000 |
| 2006-2009 | CTS / CTS-V / DTS / STS | 1000 |
| 2007-2008 | SRX | 2000 |
| 2006 / 2009 | SRX | 1000 |
The standard Escalade climbed from 7,400 lbs in 2006 to 8,300 lbs in 2009. The ESV and EXT variants hover around 7,500-7,800 lbs. The hybrid version drops significantly to 2,000 lbs. The sedans and the SRX (mostly) are limited to 1,000-2,000 lbs.
Chevrolet Towing Limits
Chevrolet has the deepest lineup. This includes trucks, vans, and SUVs.
| Year | Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Avalanche 1500 | 7300 |
| 2006 | Avalanche 2500 | 10200 |
| 2007 | Avalanche 1500 | 7200 |
| 2008 | Avalanche 1500 | 7200 |
| 2009 | Avalanche 1500 | 5000 |
| 2006 | Silverado 1500 | 5700 |
| 2006 | Silverado 1500 Hybrid | 6700 |
| 2006 | Silverado 1500 SS | 7500 |
| 2006 | Silverado 1500 HD | 8300 |
| 2006 | Silverado 2500 HD | 10100 |
| 2006 | Silverado 3500 HD | 9500 |
| 2007 | Silverado 1500 Classic | 5700 |
| 2007 | Silverado 1500 Hybrid Classic | 6700 |
| 2007 | Silverado 1500 SS Classic | 7500 |
| 2007 | Silverado 1500 HD Classic | 8300 |
| 2007 | Silverado 2500 HD | 10000 |
| 2007 | Silverado 2500 HD Classic | 10100 |
| 2007 | Silverado 3500 | 9600 |
| 2007 | Silverado 3500 Classic | 9500 |
| 2008 | Silverado 1500 | 4600 |
| 2008 | Silverado 2500 HD | 10000 |
| 2008 | Silverado 3500 HD | 9600 |
| 2009 | Silverado 1500 | 4700 |
Max towing capacity for Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, and Hyundai
The big three American brands dominate the heavy hauling scene. If you are looking to pull a trailer, these are the numbers that matter.
Chrysler kept its passenger cars light on duty. The 300 and 300C capped out at 2,000 pounds from 2006 through 2009. The PT Cruiser saw a dip in 2007 to 1,000 lbs before bouncing back to 2,600 lbs in 2008. The Town & Country minivan stayed steady at 1,700 lbs until 2008 when it jumped to 3,600 lbs. The Aspen was the real mover here, sitting at 8,950 lbs for three years. The Aspen Hybrid dropped to 6,000 lbs in 2009.
Dodge had a wider spread. The Ram trucks carried the weight. The Ram 1500 hovered around 2,900–3,800 lbs. The heavy hitters saw significant gains. The Ram 2500 went from 9,050 lbs in 2006 to 9,300 lbs in 2009. The Ram 3500 jumped from 10,500 lbs to a massive 12,300 lbs by 2009. The Dakota pickup stayed in the 3,000–3,300 lbs range. The Durango climbed from 3,750 lbs to 3,850 lbs. The Durango Hybrid hit 5,750 lbs in 2009. Sprinter vans held steady at 5,000–7,500 lbs depending on the model year and configuration.
Ford showed some volatility in their mid-cycle updates. The F-150 started at 6,400 lbs in 2006, bumped to 6,500 lbs in 2007-2008, then leaped to 8,700 lbs in 2009. The heavy-duty trucks were strong. The F-250 fluctuated between 8,600 lbs and 10,600 lbs. The F-350 ranged from 8,600 lbs to 10,700 lbs. The new F-450 added to the lineup in 2008 with 16,000 lbs capacity before dropping to 10,700 lbs in 2009. The Expedition held at 9,200 lbs. The Ranger was surprisingly capable with 6,000 lbs in 2006 before dropping to 2,460 lbs for the rest of the period.
GMC mirrored Chevy but with different badge engineering. The Sierra 1500 went from 4,000 lbs to 4,800 lbs in 2007 and stayed there. The Sierra 2500 and 3500 hovered around 10,000–10,500 lbs. The Yukon XL was a solid hauler at 7,500 lbs in 2006, dropping to 7,100 lbs in 2007-2008, then falling to 5,100 lbs in 2009. The Yukon Hybrid appeared in 2008 with 6,200 lbs. The Envoy remained static at 5,300 lbs throughout the four-year span.
Towing limits for Honda, Hummer, and Hyundai
Japanese and Korean manufacturers generally capped their towing at family-friendly levels.
Honda was consistent. The Odyssey and Pilot stayed at 3,500 lbs almost exclusively. The Ridgeline hit 5,000 lbs in 2006 and 2008 but had no rated capacity in 2007 or 2009. The CR-V and Insight rarely had a rated tow capacity. The Civic could handle 1,000–1,500 lbs depending on the year.
Hummer brought the bulk. The H2 was the star, starting at 6,500 lbs in 2006, climbing to 6,600 lbs in 2007, and jumping to 8,200 lbs for 2008-2009. The H1 Alpha was a niche beast at 7,887 lbs. The H3 stayed modest at 3,000 lbs. The H3T pickup added 4,400 lbs of capacity in 2009.
Hyundai kept things low. The Santa Fe dropped from 2,700 lbs in 2006 to 1,650 lbs in 2007-2008. The Sonata and Azera stayed at 1,000 lbs. The Tucson was rated for 1,000 lbs. The Entourage minivan also capped at 1,000 lbs. The Veracruz had no listed capacity in 2007.
Hyundai, Infiniti, and Isuzu: The Mid-2000s Towing Reality Check
The Hyundai Sonata holds steady at 1000 lbs for 2009. The Tucson matches it. The Veracruz? No rating. If you’re looking to haul anything substantial in a Hyundai from this era, the Azera is your only option at 1000 lbs, and even then, don’t push it. The Genesis gets a pass. The Accent gets a pass. Everything else is either non-towable or strictly light-duty.
Infiniti tells a different story. The QX56 is a beast. 9000 lbs in 2006, 2007, and 2009. That is serious capacity. The FX35 and FX45 sit at 3500 lbs, which is decent for a crossover coupe. The FX50 joins the party in 2009 with the same 3500 lb rating. But look at the sedans. G35, M35, M45, Q45. All 1000 lbs or less. The EX35 and G37 in 2008 have no rating at all. Infiniti built luxury cruisers, not workhorses. Except for the V8 SUVs.
Isuzu is fading out but still pulling weight. The Ascender consistently hits 5300 lbs from 2006 to 2008. The i-370 jumps to 5500 lbs in 2008. The i-280 and i-290 are lighter, hovering between 1700 and 2200 lbs. If you need a compact SUV that can actually tow a small trailer, the Ascender is the answer.
Jaguar: The Luxury Pretenders
Jaguar. 2006 to 2009. S-Type. X-Type. XJ8. XJR. XK8. XKR. XF.
No ratings.
None.
Not a single pound listed for any model across four years. Jaguar designed these cars to look fast, not to pull weight. The absence of data speaks volumes. You don’t buy an XJ8 to tow a boat. You buy it to drive it to the marina while the boat sits there.
Jeep: Consistency Over Flash
Jeep gets it right. The Commander, Grand Cherokee, and Liberty all hit 3500 lbs in 2006 and 2007. The Wrangler stays at 1000 lbs. The Compass and Patriot are light-duty at 1000 lbs.
In 2008, the Liberty drops to 2000 lbs. Why? Engine changes. Trim variations. Doesn’t matter. The Grand Cherokee and Commander hold strong at 3500 lbs. The Wrangler Unlimited arrives in 2008 with a 1000 lb rating. Same as the short wheelbase Wrangler.
2009 continues the trend. Commander and Grand Cherokee at 3500 lbs. Liberty back at 2000 lbs. Wrangler variants at 1000 lbs. If you want a Jeep to tow, buy the Grand Cherokee. It’s the most consistent performer in the lineup.
Kia: The Sorento Surprise
Kia’s Optima tows 2000 lbs in 2006, 2007, and 2008. That’s respectable for a mid-size sedan. The Sportage sits at 1500 lbs. The Amanti, Rio, Rondo, and Spectra have no ratings.
But look at the SUVs. The Sorento jumps to 5000 lbs in 2007 and holds it in 2008. The Sedona minivan hits 3500 lbs in 2007 but drops to zero in 2008. Weird.
The Borrego arrives in 2009 with a 5000 lb rating. This is the truck-based SUV that competes with the Ford Edge and Chevy Equinox. It’s capable. If you want to tow in a Kia, get the Sorento or Borrego. Ignore the sedans.
Land Rover: Heavy Hitters
Land Rover doesn’t play small. The LR3, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport all hit 7700 lbs in 2006. The Range Rover Sport bumps to 7716 lbs in 2007. The LR2 arrives in 2008 with no rating. The LR3 drops to no rating in 2008 too.
By 2009, the LR2 finally gets a 3500 lb rating. The LR3, Range Rover, and Range Rover Sport all settle at 7716 lbs. That’s nearly 8000 lbs. These are heavy vehicles with heavy axles. They can pull serious weight. But check your tires. Check your cooling system. Land Rover towing requires maintenance.
Lexus: The GX and LX Dominate
Lexus sedans are not for towing. The ES, GS, IS, SC, and LS have no ratings or very low ones. The LS 430 in 2006 tows 2000 lbs. The LS 460 in 2007 and 2008 has no rating.
The real workhorses are the SUVs. The GX 470 tows 6500 lbs from 2006 to 2009. Consistent. Reliable. The LX 470 matches it at 6500 lbs. The LX 570 arrives in 2008 with a massive 8500 lb rating. That’s the V8 upgrade. The RX 330 and RX 400h tow 3500 lbs in 2006 and 2007. They drop to 2000 lbs in 2008 and 2009. The hybrid system limits capacity.
If you need luxury and towing, the LX 570 is the king. 8500 lbs. No competition in the segment.
Lincoln: The Mark LT Exception
Lincoln’s Navigator tows 6000 lbs from 2006 to 2009. Solid. The Town Car tows 2000 lbs. The MKX tows 2000 lbs. The MKZ has no rating. The MKS tows 1000 lbs in 2009.
But the Mark LT is the outlier. 8900 lbs from 2006 to 2008. This is the Lincoln version of the Ford F-150. It’s a body-on-frame truck with a luxury interior. It tows like a truck. If you need that kind of capacity in a Lincoln, buy the Mark LT. The Navigator is good, but the Mark LT is better for heavy loads.
Mazda: Trucks Do the Work
Mazda’s B-Series trucks are the only ones that tow seriously. The B4000 hits 3140 lbs in 2006, 3100 lbs in 2007, and back to 3140 lbs in 2008 and 2009. The B2300 tows around 1600 lbs. The B3000 tows 2480 lbs in 2007.
The CX-7 and CX-9 both tow 2000 lbs from 2007 to 2009. The Tribute tows 1500 lbs, except for the 2008 Tribute Hybrid which hits 2000 lbs. The MPV tows 2000 lbs in 2006.
All the Mazdaspeed models, the MX-5, the RX-8, the Mazda3, Mazda5, and Mazda6 have no ratings. Mazda built sporty cars and light SUVs. The B-Series is the only thing that pulls weight.
Mercedes-Benz: The G-Class and GL-Class Lead
Mercedes sedans and coupes don’t tow. C-Class, CL-Class, CLK, CLS, E-Class, S-Class, SL, SLK, SLR. All zeros. No ratings.
The SUVs are the story. The ML350 and ML500 tow 2000 lbs in 2006. In 2007, they jump to 7200 lbs. The ML320 and ML63 AMG join at 7200 lbs. This holds for 2008 and 2009.
The G500 tows 7000 lbs in 2007 and 2008. The G55 in 2008 matches it. The GL320, GL450, and GL550 all tow 7500 lbs from 2007 to 2009. The R-Class has no rating.
Mercedes knows how to build a towing SUV. The M-Class and G-Class are serious. 7000 to 7500 lbs is not a joke. These cars can pull a large trailer without breaking a sweat. But again, check the cooling. Check the tires. Mercedes towing requires care.
More Specs to Watch:
- GVWR (Gross
Mercedes and the Luxury Towing Ceiling
The Mercedes lineup shows a stark divide. The ML series—320, 550, and the AMG 63—all hit a hard cap at 7200 lbs. That is substantial for a mid-size luxury SUV. The R-Class trails behind at 3500 lbs. A functional number, but half the ML output.
The rest? The S-Class, SL, and SLK models carry dashes. No towing ratings. These are cruisers, not haulers. You don’t buy a 7200-lb rated sedan for a boat trailer. You buy it for the drive. If you are looking for Mercedes-Benz towing capacity by model, you are mostly looking at the ML and R-Class. The rest are strictly passenger vehicles.
Mercury’s Final Years on the Road
Mercury is dead. Long live the data. Between 2006 and 2009, the brand had a clear hierarchy. The Grand Marquis and Mariner could handle 1500 lbs. The Mariner Hybrid dropped to 1000 lbs. The hybrid penalty is real. Less power means less margin for error when pulling weight.
The Montego and Mountaineer sat at 1000 and 3500 lbs respectively. The Monterey matched the Mountaineer at 3500 lbs. The Milan never got a rating. The Sable appeared in 2008 and 2009, capped at a modest 1000 lbs. If you own a late-model Mercury, check the model year. The Endeavor dropped from 3500 lbs in 2006 to 2000 in 2007, then back up to 3500 in 2008. Inconsistent engineering or just different trim specifications? The manual doesn’t say. Just know the numbers fluctuated.
MINI: Built for Driving, Not Towing
MINI Cooper models from 2006 to 2009 show a pattern. Dashes across the board. Hardtop, Convertible, Clubman, John Cooper Works. None of them are rated for towing.
Why? Short wheelbase. Front-wheel drive. High center of gravity relative to the track. Trying to hitch a MINI to a trailer is an exercise in poor physics. If you need to tow, buy a different car. The JCW adds power, but it doesn’t add a hitch rating. The MINI towing capacity is effectively zero for all practical purposes. Don’t risk the transmission or the suspension.
Mitsubishi’s Utility Shift
Mitsubishi had some serious movers in this window. The 2006 Montero hit 5000 lbs. The Raider, a rebadged Nissan Frontier, started at 4050 lbs in 2006, dropped to 4000 in 2007, and stayed there. The Endeavor was the odd one out. It started at 3500 lbs in 2006, dropped to 2000 in 2007, then rebounded to 3500 in 2008.
The Lancer started at 1000 lbs in 2006 but lost its rating by 2008. The Outlander hovered around 1500-2000 lbs. By 2009, the Lancer and Eclipse had no ratings. Mitsubishi was shifting focus away from light towing for their sedans. The Mitsubishi towing capacity peaked with the Montero. If you want to pull a heavy load, the SUVs are the only viable option. The Raider and Montero were the heavy lifters.
Nissan’s Broad Spectrum
Nissan covered every base. The Armada and Titan both hit 6500 lbs. That is truck-level capability. The Pathfinder sat at 6000 lbs. The Frontier followed at 6300 lbs. These are serious numbers.
On the other end, the Altima, Maxima, and Sentra were capped at 1000 lbs. The Murano and Quest settled at 3500 lbs. The Xterra matched the Montero at 5000 lbs. The Rogue, introduced in 2008, was limited to 1000 lbs. The GT-R? No rating. It’s a supercar. It doesn’t tow.
The Nissan towing capacity varies wildly by platform. Don’t assume an Altima can pull what a Titan can. The difference is 5500 lbs. That’s the weight of a small house. Check your specific model. The Hybrid Altima also stayed at 1000 lbs. Electrification rarely helps towing in this era.
Pontiac’s Fading Capabilities
Pontiac’s lineup was shrinking. The Montana SV6 and Torrent both hit 3500 lbs. The G8, introduced in 2008, could handle 2000 lbs. That’s decent for a rear-wheel-drive sedan. The G5, G6, and Grand Prix were stuck at 1000 lbs. The Vibe dropped from 1500 lbs in 2006-2008 to 1000 lbs in 2009.
The Solstice never got a rating. It’s a roadster. You don’t tow with a roadster. The Pontiac towing capacity was concentrated in the SUVs and the G8. If you have a G6, leave the trailer at home.
Porsche’s SUV Anomaly
The Cayenne is the only Porsche here with a towing rating. 7716 lbs. That is higher than the ML63. Porsche engineered the Cayenne to tow. The 911, Boxster, and Cayman? Dashes. Across all years.
This makes sense. The Cayenne shares DNA with the VW Touareg, which was built for utility. The 911 is built for the track. The Porsche towing capacity is exclusive to the Cayenne. Do not try to hitch a 911. You will destroy the rear subframe.
Saab’s Consistent Output
Saab was remarkably consistent. The 9-7X hit 5500 lbs every year from 2006 to 2009. The 9-5 sat at 3500 lbs. The 9-3 and 9-2X were capped at 2000 lbs.
No fluctuations. No drops. Saab knew what these cars could do. The 9-7X was a body-on-frame SUV, hence the higher rating. The 9-5 was a unibody wagon/sedan hybrid. 3500 lbs is impressive for that platform. The Saab towing capacity is reliable data. If you own a 9-5, you can actually pull a decent trailer. Most luxury wagons can’t.
Saturn’s Hybrid Struggle
Saturn’s Ion and Aura were capped at 1000 lbs. The Relay hit 3500 lbs. The VUE and VUE Hybrid stayed at 1500 lbs. The Outlook, introduced in 2007, was rated for 2000 lbs. The Aura Hybrid had no rating.
The Saturn towing capacity was limited by the hybrid tech. The Aura Hybrid couldn’t tow. The VUE Hybrid could match the gas model, but only at 1500 lbs. The Relay was the workhorse. If you needed to pull, you bought the Relay. Everything else was commuter traffic.
Scion and Smart: No Towing Allowed
Scion’s tC, xA, xB, and xD all had dashes. No ratings. The Scion towing capacity is non-existent. These are city cars. They are not designed for stress.
The Smart fortwo also had no rating. It’s a microcar. It has two seats and a tiny engine. Towing is not in the physics of it. The Smart towing capacity is zero. Do not attempt.
Subaru’s All-Wheel Advantage
Subaru’s numbers are interesting. The B9 Tribeca started at 3500 lbs in 2006-2007, then dropped to 2700 lbs in 2008-2009. Why? Maybe a change in the hitch receiver or transmission cooling. The Baja was rated for 2400 lbs in 2006-2007.
The Forester stayed at 2400 lbs for 2006-2008, then lost its rating in 2009. The Impreza Wagon and Outback Sport were capped at 2000 lbs. The Legacy and Outback sedans/wagons hit 2700 lbs.
The Subaru towing capacity relies on the AWD system. But even with AWD, the limits are strict. The WRX and STi never got ratings. They are performance cars. The Baja and Tribeca were the towers. Note the drop in the Tribeca’s rating. Check your specific year. A 2700-lb drop is significant for heavy loads.
Suzuki’s Missing Data
The source ends with Suzuki. No data provided. If you are looking for Suzuki towing capacity for these years, you need to look elsewhere. The Grand Vitara and XL-7 were common, but the numbers aren’t here. Check the owner’s manual. Don’t guess.
Towing is
Suzuki Towing Limits: Small Cars, Surprisingly Capable SUVs
Suzuki didn’t exactly flood the market with heavy haulers in this era. Most of their lineup stayed strictly in the sub-1000 lb zone. The Forenza, Reno, and Verona all maxed out at 1000 lbs. That’s trailer language for “a small utility trailer with a lawnmower, not a horse.”
Then there were the exceptions. The Grand Vitara and XL7 changed the conversation.
In 2006, both sat at 3000 lbs. By 2007, the XL7 bumped up to 3500 lbs. It stayed there through 2009. The Grand Vitara held steady at 3000 lbs through 2008 before disappearing from the towing charts entirely in 2009. The Equator and SX4 never made a dent. No numbers listed. Meaning zero. Or close enough to it that you shouldn’t try.
If you’re looking at Suzuki towing capacity for a late-model XL7, you’re looking at a mid-tier hauler. Enough for a pontoon boat. Not enough for a fifth-wheel.
Toyota: The Range From Prius to Tundra
Toyota covered every base. And then some.
The Prius, Camry, Camry Solara, and later the Matrix and Venza showed up with dashes. No towing. Or legally, none you should rely on. The Corolla and RAV4 offered 1500 lbs. Standard small-car towing.
The Avalon stuck at 1000 lbs across all four years. Boring. Reliable. Boring.
The Highlander started weak. 1500 lbs in 2006. Then 2000 lbs in 2007. Then 2000 lbs in 2008. Wait, the Highlander Hybrid jumped from 2000 in 2006 to 3500 in 2007. Then stayed there. That’s a massive swing for a hybrid powertrain.
The Sienna minivan held steady at 3500 lbs. Consistent.
But the trucks? The Tacoma stayed at 3500 lbs. The Tundra dropped from 6800 lbs in 2006 to 4800 lbs in 2007 and 2008. A significant hit. The Sequoia went from 6500 lbs to 7800 lbs in 2008. The Land Cruiser kept climbing. 6500 in 2006 and 2007. Then 8500 in 2008. Then 9935 lbs in 2009. Nearly 10 grand. That’s serious iron.
The 4Runner and FJ Cruiser both sat at 5000 lbs. Solid mid-range numbers.
Volkswagen: One Model Dominates
Volkswagen’s towing story is simple. The Touareg did all the heavy lifting. Literally.
In 2006, the Touareg maxed out at 7716 lbs. In 2007, same number. 7716 lbs. Precise. Oddly specific.
Then 2008 happened. The Touareg 2 launched. No towing number listed. Just a dash. Why? Maybe a glitch in the matrix. Or maybe they hadn’t certified it yet.
In 2009, the Touareg 2 returned. 7716 lbs. Back to where it started.
Everything else? Jetta, Golf, GTI, Beetle, Passat, Rabbit, Eos, GLI, R32. All dashes. Zero.
The Routan minivan showed up in 2009 with 2000 lbs. The Tiguan came in at 2200 lbs. Small steps. But compared to the Touareg, they’re pocket change.
Volvo: The Ghost of Towing Past
Volvo was… quiet.
In 2006, the S60 had a 3300 lb capacity. That’s the only number on the board. The S80, XC90, XC70, **V7
