Towing capacity isn’t a suggestion. It’s a hard ceiling. Exceed it and you’re flirting with drivetrain failure, brake fade, or a handling nightmare that ends in a ditch. This number is the maximum allowable weight a vehicle can pull, as dictated by the manufacturer. You find it in the owner’s manual. Not on the sticker. Not on the hitch itself.
Hitch manufacturers often list capacities that look higher than your car’s actual limits. That’s because a Class IV hitch might bolt onto a sedan, but that sedan still can’t tow a boat. Ignore the hardware specs. Trust the automaker. Always.
The Hidden Weight Equation
When you look up your vehicle’s limit, do the math. Passenger weight over 150 lbs counts. So does your gear, your tools, and the tongue weight of the trailer itself. If you exceed the rated capacity, you aren’t just voiding your warranty. You’re compromising stopping distance. You’re stressing components not built for that load.
Use the data below to find exactly what your 2006–2009 model year can handle.
Acura Towing Limits
Acura’s lineup during this period was split between sport sedans with modest limits and the MDX, which could actually work.
2006 Acura Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| MDX | 3500 |
| RL | 1000 |
| RSX | 1500 |
| TL | 1000 |
| TSX | – (Not Rated) |
2007 Acura Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| MDX | 5000 |
| RL | 1000 |
| RDX | 1500 |
| TL | 1000 |
| TSX | 1000 |
2008 Acura Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| MDX | 5000 |
| RL | 1000 |
| RSX | 1500 |
| TL | 1000 |
| TSX | 1000 |
2009 Acura Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| MDX | 5000 |
| RL | 1000 |
| RSX | 1500 |
| TSX | 1000 |
More Acura Specs: Acura GVWR | Acura GAWR | Acura GCWR | Acura Cargo Carrying Capacity | Acura Curb Weight | Acura Payload
Audi Towing Capacities
Audi was conservative here. Most sedans and coupes weren’t rated for towing at all. The Q7 was the workhorse.
2006 Audi Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| A3 | – |
| A4 | – |
| A6 | – |
| A8 | – |
| S4 | – |
| TT | – |
2007 Audi Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| Q7 | 5500 |
| A3 | – |
| A4 | – |
| A6 | – |
| A8 | – |
| RS4 | – |
| S4 | – |
| S6 | – |
| S8 | – |
2008 Audi Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| Q7 | 5500 |
| A3 | – |
| A4 | – |
| A5 | – |
| A6 | – |
| A8 | – |
| R8 | – |
| RS4 | – |
| S4 | – |
| S5 | – |
| S6 | – |
| S8 | – |
| TT | – |
2009 Audi Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| Q7 | 5500 |
| A3 | – |
| A4 | – |
| A5 | – |
| A8 | – |
| R8 | – |
| S4 | – |
| S5 | – |
| S8 | – |
| TT | – |
More Audi Specs: Audi GVWR | Audi GAWR | Audi GCWR | Audi Cargo Carrying Capacity | Audi Curb Weight | Audi Payload
BMW Towing Capacity by Year
BMW’s strategy was clear: sedans and coupes were for driving. SUVs were for hauling. The X3 and X5 were the primary contributors.
2006 BMW Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| X3 | 3500 |
| X5 | 6000 |
| 325 | – |
| 330 | – |
| 525 | – |
| 530 | – |
| 550 | – |
| 650 | – |
| 750 | – |
| 760 | – |
| M3 | – |
| M5 | – |
| M6 | – |
| Z4 | – |
| Z4M | – |
2007 BMW Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
| :— | :— |
| X3 | 3500 |
| X5 | 6000 |
| 328 | – |
| 335 | – |
| 525 | – |
| 530 | – |
| 550 | – |
| 650 | – |
| 750 | – |
| 760 | – |
| Alpina B7 | – |
| M5 | – |
| M6 | – |
| Z4 | – |
| Z4M | – |
2008 BMW Models
| Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
Chevrolet towing limits by year
The mid-2000s were a transitional period for Chevy’s lineup. Towing capacity shifted as engines changed and models were phased out. If you are hauling with a Chevrolet towing capacity chart from this era, the numbers vary wildly depending on the truck or SUV.
In 2006, the Avalanche 1500 could pull 7300 lbs. The 2500 version handled 10200. The Colorado was light, maxing out at 1600. Big boys like the Silverado 1500 HD hit 8300, while the 2500 HD went to 10100. The 3500 HD was limited to 9500, likely due to configuration specifics. Suburban 2500 reached 7900. Tahoe sat at 5700. Small cars like the Cobalt, HHR, Impala, and Monte Carlo were stuck at 1000. The SSR could manage 2500.
2007 saw tweaks. Avalanche 1500 dropped slightly to 7200. Colorado jumped to 1900. Silverado 1500 (non-classic) tanked to 4600. The classic 1500 HD remained at 8300. Silverado 2500 HD held at 10000. Tahoe fell to 4500. Express vans stayed at 4300.
2008 brought the Tahoe Hybrid into the mix. It pulled 6200, beating its gas counterpart by 1700 lbs. Colorado improved to 3000. Silverado 1500 stayed low at 4600. Silverado 2500 HD stayed at 10000. Suburban 2500 jumped to 9600. Most cars remained capped at 1000.
By 2009, numbers shifted again. Avalanche 1500 dropped to 5000. Colorado held at 3000. Express 2500 climbed to 6300. Express 3500 was 6200. Silverado 1500 rose slightly to 4700. Silverado 3500 HD hit 9700. Suburban 1500 dipped to 5100. Tahoe Hybrid stayed at 6200. The new Traverse offered a modest 2000.
Chrysler towing specs
Chrysler’s haulers were inconsistent. The PT Cruiser had a peak year in 2008, jumping to 2600 from 1000 in 2007.
In 2006, the 300C could pull 2000. The 300 was limited to 1000. PT Cruiser managed 3500. Town & Country was stuck at 1700. Aspen didn’t exist yet.
2007 introduced the Aspen. It could tow 8950. Pacifica rose to 2600. PT Cruiser dropped back to 1000. Town & Country held at 1700. The 300C stayed at 2000.
2008 saw PT Cruiser climb to 2600. Town & Country doubled to 3600. Pacifica fell to 1000. Aspen held at 8950.
2009 added the Aspen Hybrid, limited to 6000. The gas Aspen stayed at 8950. Town & Country remained at 3600. PT Cruiser dropped to 1000. Sebring and 300 stayed at 1000. 300C held at 2000.
Dodge towing capacity
Dodge trucks dominated the heavy hauls. The Ram 3500 was a beast.
2006 Ram 3500 pulled 10500. Ram 2500 hit 9050. Ram 1500 was light at 2900. Durango managed 3750. Grand Caravan handled 3700. Dakota was 3300. Sprinter vans (2500/3500) were capped at 5000.
2007 Ram 3500 rose to 10650. Ram 2500 to 9200. Sprinter 3500 van jumped to 7500. Nitro appeared at 3500. Dakota dropped slightly to 3250.
2008 Ram 3500 hit 10700. Ram 2500 to 9250. Durango rose to 3850. F-450 didn’t exist here, but the Ram 3500 was top tier. Avenger appeared with just 100 lbs capacity. That’s it. 100.
2009 Ram 3500 exploded to 12300. Ram 1500 jumped to 3800. Durango Hybrid pulled 5750. Challenger entered with 1000. Journey had no rating. Viper still couldn’t tow anything.
Ford towing capacity
Ford’s numbers tell a story of the F-Series growing up.
2006 F-250 and F-350 sat at 8600. F-150 was 6400. Ranger handled 6000. E-350 Super Duty pulled 7500. Expedition wasn’t listed, but Explorer was 3110.
2007 F-250 and F-350 jumped to 10600. F-150 rose to 6500. Ranger dropped to 2460. Expedition hit 9200. Explorer Sport Trac matched Explorer at 3500. Mustang appeared with 1000.
2008 F-350 hit 10700. F-250 dropped to 8700. F-450 appeared at 16000. That seems low for a Super Duty, but it’s the number. Ranger stayed at 2460. Taurus appeared with 1000. Taurus X at 2000. Focus lost its rating.
2009 F-150 climbed to 8700. F-450 dropped to 10700. Ranger held at 2460. Flex entered with 2000. Mustang stayed at 1000. Taurus X at 2000. Focus remained unrated.
Why these numbers matter
You might wonder why a 2008 F-250 dropped from 10600 to 8700 while the F-350 rose. It usually comes down to cab configuration, bed length, and engine options. A crew cab with a short bed weighs more. Less payload left for the trailer.
The 2009 Ram 3500 hitting 12300 is an outlier. That’s nearly 6 tons. Make sure your hitch and suspension can handle the tongue weight. Most passenger cars capped at 1000 lbs can’t even handle the weight of the trailer’s hitch itself if it’s a heavy model.
Check your door jamb sticker. The factory number is the limit. Aftermarket packages might help, but they rarely double the capability. If you need more, you need a bigger truck.
Other specs to check
Towing isn’t just about the max number.
- Chevrolet GVWR : Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Don’t exceed this.
- Chevrolet GAWR : Gross Axle Weight Rating. Front and rear axles have limits.
- Chevrolet GCWR : Gross Combined Weight Rating. Truck + Trailer + Cargo + Passengers.
- Chevrolet Cargo Carrying Capacity : What you can put in the truck.
- Chevrolet Curb Weight : How much the truck weighs empty.
GMC Towing Capacity
The Silverado line is where the real muscle lives, but don’t sleep on the full-size Savana vans if you need to move heavy equipment without a pickup bed. The Sierra 2500 consistently punches above its weight, hitting 10,500 lbs in 2006 before settling at 10,100-10,400 lbs through 2009. The Sierra 3500? It’s a beast, though its numbers dip slightly from 10,000 to 10,100 over the four years. If you’re looking for GMC towing capacity stats for the Yukon, the XL version is the one to get if you need max haul, peaking at 7,500 lbs in 2006. The standard Yukon drops to 4,500 in ’07 and ’08 before climbing back to 4,800 in 2009. The Yukon Hybrid is a fascinating anomaly, offering 6,200 lbs in ’08 and ’09 despite the extra battery weight. The Canyon and Acadia are smaller players, hovering around 2,000-2,400 lbs.
| Year | Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Canyon | 1800 |
| 2006 | Envoy | 5300 |
| 2006 | Envoy XL | 5000 |
| 2006 | Savana 1500 | 4300 |
| 2006 | Savana 2500 | 6300 |
| 2006 | Savana 3500 | 6200 |
| 2006 | Sierra 1500 | 4000 |
| 2006 | Sierra 2500 | 10500 |
| 2006 | Sierra 3500 | 10000 |
| 2006 | Yukon | 5700 |
| 2006 | Yukon XL | 7500 |
| 2007 | Acadia | 2000 |
| 2007 | Canyon | 2300 |
| 2007 | Envoy | 5300 |
| 2007 | Savana 1500 | 4300 |
| 2007 | Savana 2500 | 6300 |
| 2007 | Savana 3500 | 6200 |
| 2007 | Sierra 1500 | 4800 |
| 2007 | Sierra 2500 | 10400 |
| 2007 | Sierra 3500 | 10100 |
| 2007 | Yukon | 4500 |
| 2007 | Yukon XL | 7100 |
| 2008 | Acadia | 2000 |
| 2008 | Canyon | 2400 |
| 2008 | Envoy | 5300 |
| 2008 | Savana 1500 | 4300 |
| 2008 | Savana 2500 | 6300 |
| 2008 | Savana 3500 | 6200 |
| 2008 | Sierra 1500 | 4800 |
| 2008 | Sierra 2500 | 10400 |
| 2008 | Sierra 3500 | 10100 |
| 2008 | Yukon | 4500 |
| 2008 | Yukon Hybrid | 6200 |
| 2008 | Yukon XL | 7100 |
| 2009 | Acadia | 2000 |
| 2009 | Canyon | 2400 |
| 2009 | Envoy | 5300 |
| 2009 | Savana 1500 | 4300 |
| 2009 | Savana 2500 | 6300 |
| 2009 | Savana 3500 | 6200 |
| 2009 | Sierra 1500 | 4800 |
| 2009 | Sierra 2500 | 10500 |
| 2009 | Sierra 3500 | 10100 |
| 2009 | Sierra Hybrid | – |
| 2009 | Yukon | 4800 |
| 2009 | Yukon Hybrid | 6200 |
| 2009 | Yukon XL | 5100 |
Honda Towing Capacity
Honda didn’t build these rigs for hauling house trailers. The Ridgeline is the outlier here, capable of 5,000 lbs in ’06 and ’08. Everything else stays strictly under 3,500 lbs. The Pilot and Odyssey are capped at 3,500, while the Accord and Civic sit low at 1,000-1,500 lbs. Notice how many dashes in the table? That means not rated. The CR-V, Insight, S2000, and most Civics can’t tow anything. Even the Fit, which debuted in ’07, has zero rating. The Element is a solid 1,500. It’s clear Honda wanted you to tow light, if at all.
| Year | Model | Max Towing Capacity (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Accord | 1000 |
| 2006 | Accord Hybrid | – |
| 2006 | Civic | 1500 |
| 2006 | Civic Hybrid | 1000 |
| 2006 | CR-V | – |
| 2006 | Element | 1500 |
| 2006 | Insight | – |
| 2006 | Odyssey | 3500 |
| 2006 | Pilot | 3500 |
| 2006 | Ridgeline | 5000 |
| 2006 | S2000 | – |
| 2007 | Accord | 1000 |
| 2007 | Accord Hybrid | – |
| 2007 | Civic | 1500 |
| 2007 | Civic Hybrid | 1000 |
| 2007 | CR-V | – |
| 2007 | Element | 1500 |
| 2007 | Fit | – |
| 2007 | Odyssey | 3500 |
| 2007 | Pilot | – |
| 2007 | Ridgeline | – |
| 2007 | S2000 | – |
| 2008 | Accord | – |
| 2008 | Civic | 1500 |
| 2008 | Civic Hybrid | 1000 |
| 2008 | CR-V | – |
| 2008 | Element | 1500 |
| 2008 | Fit | – |
| 2008 | Odyssey | 3500 |
| 2008 | Pilot | 3500 |
| 2008 | Ridgeline | 5000 |
| 2008 | S2000 | – |
| 2009 | Accord | – |
| 2009 | Civic | 1000 |
| 2009 | Civic Hybrid | – |
| 2009 | Fit | – |
| 2009 | Odyssey | 3500 |
| 2009 | Pilot |
Lexus Towing Specs
Lexus doesn’t spread its towing capability evenly. If you’re looking at a sedan, you’re likely hitting a wall. The 2006 Lexus ES 330, GS 300, and GS 430 have no rated towing capacity. Neither does the IS 250 or IS 350 for that matter. The SC 430 is also out. The luxury sedans are for hauling passengers, not gear.
The LS 430 from 2006 pulls 2,000 lbs. That’s barely enough for a small utility trailer. By 2007, the LS 460 drops to zero. You can’t tow with the flagship sedan in that year.
SUVs tell a different story. The GX 470 and LX 470 are the heavy lifters. They handle 6,500 lbs. This holds true for 2006, 2007, and 2008. The LX 570 enters the scene in 2008 and jumps the game to 8,500 lbs. That’s serious muscle. The RX 330 and RX 350 sit in the middle, rated for 3,500 lbs in 2006 and 2007, then dropping to 2,000 lbs in 2008 and 2009. Why the cut? Probably cooling or suspension tweaks. The RX 400h follows the same path: 3,500 lbs down to 2,000 lbs. The IS-F performance coupe in 2008 has no towing rating. It’s a track weapon, not a tow vehicle.
If you need to tow a boat, the 2008-2009 Lexus LX 570 is the only one in the lineup that can handle up to 8,500 lbs.
Lincoln Towing Specs
Lincoln’s approach is simpler. You have the big tanks and you have the rest. The Mark LT is a pickup. It’s the workhorse here. From 2006 through 2008, it pulls 8,900 lbs. That’s enough for most travel trailers.
The Navigator is the standard full-size SUV. It’s rated for 6,000 lbs across 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Consistent. Reliable if the engine holds up.
The Town Car is a limo platform. It’s rated for 2,000 lbs in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. You can pull a small jet ski or a utility trailer. Not much else.
The mid-size crossovers are weak links. The MKX pulls 2,000 lbs in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The MKZ has no rating. The MKS arrives in 2009 with a meager 1,000 lbs. You’re better off with the Navigator if you actually need to pull something substantial.
Mazda Towing Specs
Mazda uses truck platforms for some models, which affects the numbers. The B-Series trucks (B2300, B3000, B4000 ) are rebranded Rangers.
The B4000 is the king of this lineup. In 2006, it pulls 3,140 lbs. It drops slightly to 3,100 lbs in 2007, then back to 3,140 lbs in 2008 and 2009. The B3000 does 2,500 lbs in 2006, 2,480 lbs in 2007, and 2,500 lbs in 2008. The B2300 hovers around 1,580 to 1,600 lbs.
The SUVs are modest. The Tribute pulls 1,500 lbs in 2006, 2008, and 2009. The Tribute Hybrid in 2008 manages 2,000 lbs. The MPV minivan pulls 2,000 lbs in 2006.
Newer models bring slight bumps. The CX-7 and CX-9 both pull 2,000 lbs from 2007 through 2009. The MazdaSpeed6 and MazdaSpeed3 have no ratings. Neither do the Mazda3, Mazda5, MX-5, or RX-8. If you need to tow, stick to the trucks or the CX-9.
Mercedes-Benz Towing Specs
Mercedes splits its fleet into cars and SUVs. The cars generally don’t tow. The C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, SLK-Class, SLR McLaren, CLK, and CLS have zero rated capacity in 2006, 2007, 2008, and most of 2009. The CLS 550 in 2009 is also zero.
The SUVs are where the numbers live. In 2006, the ML350 and ML500 pull 2,000 lbs. Not much.
Then the GL class and updated ML class arrive. In 2007, the GL320 pulls 7,500 lbs. The ML320 and ML350 jump to 7,200 lbs. The ML500 and ML63 AMG also hit 7,200 lbs. The G500 does 7,000 lbs.
2008 sees the GL550 join with 7,500 lbs. The G55 pulls 7,000 lbs. The ML550 holds at 7,200 lbs. The G-Class (G500, G55 ) and GL-Class (GL320, GL450, GL550 ) are the heavy haulers.
In 2009, the R-Class breaks the sedan trend with 3,500 lbs. The GL450 and GL550 maintain 7,500 lbs. The ML models stay at 7,200 lbs. The G-Class is gone from the list for 2009 in this dataset, or at least not listed with a rating. The ML320 and ML350 still pull 7,200 lbs.
For maximum load, the 2007-2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class offers the highest capacity at 7,500 lbs.
Mercury Towing Specs
Mercury was dying, but the models still carried weight. The Mountaineer is the standout. It pulls 3,500 lbs from 2006 through 2009. That’s the best number in the brand.
The Monterey minivan also pulls 3,500 lbs in 2006 and 2007. It disappears after that.
The sedans and crossovers are weak. The Grand Marquis sedan pulls 1,500 lbs in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. The Mariner crossover does the same. The Mariner Hybrid drops to 1,000 lbs.
The Montego sedan pulls 1,000 lbs in 2006 and 2007. The Sable sedan in 2008 and 2009 also does 1,000 lbs. The Milan has no rating. It’s a car. Don’t tow anything with it.
MINI Towing Specs
MINI is small. It doesn’t tow.
The Cooper Hardtop, Cooper Convertible, **Cooper
Pontiac: The SUVs Did the Heavy Lifting
Pontiac’s lineup in this era was a mix of aging sedans and two distinct crossovers that could actually pull something. If you were hauling a trailer in a G6, GTO, Grand Prix, G5, or the Solstice roadster, you were looking at a pontiac towing capacity of just 1,000 pounds. That is barely enough for a small jet ski without a loaded trailer, or a very light bicycle rack. The 2009 Vibe dropped to that same 1,000 lb limit, despite being a Matrix sibling.
The real muscle came from the bigger platforms. The Montana SV6 and the Torrent were rated for 3,500 lbs. The Torrent, sharing its bones with the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain, was the clear choice if you needed to tow a camper or a decent-sized boat. The G8, introduced in 2008 as Pontiac’s premium sedan, offered 2,000 lbs. It wasn’t a hauler, but it was respectable for a rear-wheel-drive sedan.
Porsche: One King, Several Dwarfs
Porsche’s approach to towing is straightforward. If the badge isn’t on a Cayenne, you aren’t towing anything. The 911, Boxster, and Cayman are strictly for driving. Their towing capacity is listed as zero or not applicable. Period.
The Cayenne, however, is a different beast entirely. From 2006 through 2009, the Cayenne carried a massive porsche towing capacity of 7,716 lbs. That is serious work. It could pull a full-size travel trailer, a large horse trailer, or a houseboat. It’s one of the few luxury SUVs from that era that didn’t compromise on utility. If you needed Porsche performance and utility, the Cayenne was the only option.
Saab: The 9-7X Was a Hidden Gem
Saab offered a spread of options, but the numbers tell a story of hierarchy. The 9-3 compact sedan was limited to 2,000 lbs. The 9-5 sedan bumped that to 3,500 lbs. But the 9-7X was the anomaly.
The 9-7X was essentially a rebadged Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS. It shared the same V8 engine and frame. Consequently, its saab towing capacity hit 5,500 lbs. It was the heaviest-duty vehicle in the lineup and the only one capable of pulling anything substantial like a double-wide trailer or a large fishing boat. The 9-2X, a Subaru Impreza badge-engineered model, also managed 2,000 lbs, which was decent for a compact crossover at the time.
Saturn: The Relay and Outlook
Saturn’s towing numbers were modest, with the exception of the Relay minivan and the Outlook crossover. The Ion, Aura, and VUE were all light-duty haulers. The Ion and Aura sat at 1,000 lbs. The VUE and VUE Hybrid were rated for 1,500 lbs.
The Outlook, sharing its platform with the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia, offered 2,000 lbs. It wasn’t a truck. The Relay minivan, however, punched above its weight with a 3,500 lb rating. It was a practical, family-focused hauler for small boats or campers. The Astra and Sky had no towing capability listed, which makes sense given their sporty, lightweight designs.
Scion: Zero Tow Rating
Scion was designed for youth, style, and low cost. Towing wasn’t part of the equation. The tC, xA, xB, and xD all have a towing capacity of zero or not applicable. These were city cars and coupes. If you tried to tow a trailer with a 2009 xD, you’d likely break the hitch, the suspension, or your spirit. Don’t bother.
Smart: Not Even a Try
The smart fortwo is a two-seater microcar. Its smart towing capacity is non-existent. The 2008 model listed has no tow rating. It’s built for parking in tight spaces and zipping through traffic, not for hauling cargo or trailers. The physics simply don’t allow for it.
Subaru: Consistency Across the Board
Subaru stuck to its AWD guns. The towing ratings remained fairly stable from 2006 to 2009, with a few tweaks for the Impreza lineup.
The Forester and Baja were rated for 2,400 lbs. The Legacy (Sedan and Wagon) and the Outback shared a 2,700 lb rating. This was the sweet spot for most Subaru owners wanting to tow a small camper, a boat, or a trailer with ATVs. The B9 Tribeca, which shared its platform with the Honda Pilot, could handle up to 3,500 lbs.
The Impreza was the tricky one. The Sedan had no rating. The Wagon and Outback Sport were rated for 2,000 lbs in 2006 and 2007, but by 2008 and 2009, the Impreza wagon lost its tow rating entirely. The WRX STI never had one. If you needed to tow with a Subaru, the Outback or Tribeca were your best bets.
Suzuki: The XL7 Upgrade
Suzuki’s lineup saw a significant change in towing capacity with the XL7. In 2006 and 2007, the XL7 was rated for 3,000 lbs. In 2008 and 2009, that rating jumped to 3,500 lbs. This made it one of the most capable compact SUVs in its class.
The Grand Vitara stuck to 3,000 lbs. The smaller Forenza, Reno, and Verona were limited to 1,000 lbs. The SX4 and Equator had no tow ratings. If you were buying a used Suzuki for utility, the 2008-2009 XL7 was the clear winner.
Toyota: The Heavy Hitters
Toyota dominates this list. Their toyota towing capacity ranges from negligible to massive.
The small cars—Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Yaris, Prius, and the base Camry/Avalon—are light-duty. The Corolla, Matrix, and RAV4 sit at 1,500 lbs. The Camry and Avalon are 1,000 lbs. The Prius and Yaris have no rating.
The mid-size trucks and SUVs are where it gets interesting. The Tacoma and Sienna are rated for 3,500 lbs. The 4Runner and FJ Cruiser can pull 5,000 lbs. The Highlander Hybrid did the heavy lifting with a 3,500 lb rating, while the standard Highlander was limited to 2,000 lbs in 2008-2009.
Then there are the big dogs. The Tundra’s rating fluctuated. It started at 6,800 lbs in 2006, dropped to 4,800 lbs in 2007-2008, likely due to regulatory changes or transmission tuning. The Sequoia improved over time, moving from 6,500 lbs to 7,800 lbs, and finally 9,935 lbs by 2009. The Land Cruiser saw the biggest jump, skyrocketing from 6,500 lbs in 2006 to 8,500 lbs in 2008, and a massive 9,935 lbs in 2009. If you need to tow a heavy load in a Toyota, the 2009 Land Cruiser or Sequoia are the kings.
Volkswagen: The Touareg Reigns
Volkswagen’s small cars—Golf, GTI, Jetta, Beetle, Passat—are all non-towing vehicles. The volkswagen towing capacity for these models is zero. The Phaeton had no rating listed in this period.
The Routan, a Chrysler Town & Country rebadge, managed 2,000 lbs. The Tiguan, a compact SUV, offered 2,200 lbs.
But the Touareg is the only serious hauler. From 2006 through 2009, the Touareg (including the 2009 Touareg 2) maintained a solid 7,716 lb rating. It is a luxury SUV that can actually work. If you need German engineering and can pull a heavy trailer, the Touareg is the only viable option in the VW lineup for this era.
The data for Volvo’s towing capabilities between 2006 and 2009 is sparse, to put it mildly. If you are looking for a definitive chart that tells you exactly how much weight a 2007 S60 can pull, you’re going to be disappointed. Most entries in the official records for this era simply show a dash. No number. Nothing.
It’s not that Volvos couldn’t tow. It’s that the documentation, or at least the public-facing specs we have access to, often omits the figure entirely. For many models like the S40, V50, and C70, the max towing capacity is listed as non-existent or not rated for towing in standard configurations.
The 2006 Exception
There is one clear data point in this messy pool. In 2006, the Volvo S60 has a documented max towing capacity of 3,300 lbs. That’s it. That is the only specific number provided for this entire six-year window in the source data.
For the rest of the lineup in 2006, the dash persists:
- C70: –
- S40: –
- S80: –
- V50: –
- V70: –
- XC70: –
- XC90: –
It seems odd for the XC90, a midsize SUV, to have no listed capacity. But if the source doesn’t have it, we don’t guess. The record is blank.
2007-2009: The Great Blank
From 2007 through 2009, the pattern continues. The table remains almost entirely empty of figures.
2007 Models:
– C70
– S40
– S60
– S80
– V50
– V70
– XC70
– XC90
All marked with a dash.
2008 Models:
– C30
– C70
– S40
– S60
– S80
– V50
– V70
– XC70
– XC90
Again, no numbers.
2009 Models:
– C30
– C70
– S40
– S60
– S80
– V50
– V70
– XC70
– XC90
Still dashes.
The absence of data here is frustrating for anyone trying to plan a towing setup. You might assume that because the XC90 is larger than the S60, it can tow more. But without a rated capacity listed, that’s an assumption. And in towing, assumptions break hitches.
Beyond Towing: Other Weight Metrics
If you’re digging into Volvo specs this deep, you probably care about the broader weight ecosystem. Towing capacity doesn’t exist
