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The Best Used HondasBest Value SUVs for Towing
Looking for an SUV that can tow without costing a fortune? We rounded up a list of the best used options for under $20,000.
Save Money, Haul Stuff
When it comes to towing serious loads like boats and large trailers, arguably the best vehicle for the job is a pickup truck. Like these solid and affordable used pickups that make towing easy. But that approach comes with the obvious downside of an open rear cargo bed. Which is why we’re going to instead focus on the SUV route today. Specifically, the best used SUVs for towing because, for less than $20,000, you can find a wide range of full-size SUVs on the used market that can tow upwards of 9,000 pounds and seat as many as nine.
For the most part, this price point will put you in a full-size SUV roughly 8 years old with mileage in the neighborhood of 100,000. So, before you pull the trigger on any purchases, be sure to follow some basic used car buying best practices. This list goes into detail but the short version is to give the SUV a thorough visual inspection inside and out. Perform a detailed mechanical inspection – you can hire a third party for this if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself – and of course a test drive. Service history is also critical, particularly for vehicles that may have been used for towing in the past as it generally leads to more wear and tear.
2017 Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevy Suburban is perhaps the best all-around SUV for, well, everything. For 2017, the Suburban could tow up to 8,300 pounds all while seating as many 9 passengers This generation Suburban also offers 122 cubic feet of cargo hauling capacity and 40” of second-row legroom. All models came with a 5.3L V8 good for 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This 2017 Suburban LT is currently on the market for $19,7550 with about 103,000 miles and 4WD. In this spec, standard content included a power-operated liftgate, 18” wheels, leather, heated front seats, and an 8” central touchscreen.
2015 Toyota Sequoia
Second-gen Toyota Sequoias, like this Platinum model currently available with 123,000 miles for less than $18,000, could tow up to 7,400 pounds. A 5.7L V8 came standard with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. Cavernous inside, these Sequoias offered seating for up to 8, maximum cargo space of 120 cubic feet, and 35” of third-row legroom. In Platinum spec, the 2015 Sequoia is very well equipped with 20” wheels, air suspension, climatized front seats, heated second-row seats, and a JBL 14-speaker audio system.
2016 GMC Yukon
Mechanical twin to the Chevy Tahoe, the GMC Yukon is basically a Yukon XL, but shorter. Denali models from this series offered a more potent 6.2L V8, but it’s the 5.3L V8 you’ll want to hit the max tow rating of 8,500 pounds. Though a bit down on cargo space versus its Yukon XL stablemate, the standard Yukon still seats 8 and swallows 95 cubes of cargo. SLE was the entry-level trim line, but for less than $20,000 there are ample examples of the SLT variant like this 2017 Yukon with 122,000 miles. Standard content includes power-folding side mirrors, a heated steering wheel, and forward collision mitigation (FCM).
2016 Dodge Durango
Achieving the 7,400-pound tow rating offered by a 2016 Dodge Durango requires the 5.7L HEMI V8, not the standard V6. Citadel models could be fitted with the V8, but the top-spec Durango R/T came standard with it like this one currently for sale with 86,000 miles. Like all these Durangos, there are 3 rows of seating and room for up to 7 passengers. But the R/T variant boasted features like a sport-tuned suspension, monochromatic paint, upgraded leather upholstery, and a Beats audio system.
2016 Ford Expedition
The closest competitor to the GM Tahoe/Suburban beefcakes is the Ford Expedition, which also comes in a stretched wheelbase version. But the standard 2016 Expedition is a good place to start for towing as it can handle up to 9,200 pounds. Helping achieve that is a powerful 3.5L twin-turbo V6 churning out 365 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Cargo space tops out at 108 cubic feet and these Expeditions can seat up to 8 with 38” of legroom for the third row. Examples like this Limited with 97,000 miles offered niceties like 20” wheels, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a Sony 12-speaker audio system.
2017 Volkswagen Touareg
Though it can only seat 5, the 2017 VW Touareg is a solid towing partner with a 7,700-pound rating from its 3.6L V6 powertrain. All-wheel drive was standard on these models as was adaptive cruise control and FCM. Sold in Sport, Wolfsburg Edition, or Executive trim, these older VWs are impressively well-equipped. An Executive variant, like this one with 123,000 miles for $17,995, featured 21” rims, adaptive headlights, a panoramic moonroof, climatized front seats, and a surround-view monitor (SVM).
2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Big and luxurious, a 9-year-old Mercedes-Benz GL350 can be found on the used market for about $19,000 with 105,00 miles like this example. Capable of towing 7,500 pounds, the GL350 came with a torque-rich 3.0L turbodiesel V6 and a 22-mpg combined rating. Other standard highlights include 3 rows of seating with room for 7, 94 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, and 4WD. The creature comforts roster is deep including a sunroof, automatic climate control, a power-folding third-row seat, and heated front seats.
2017 Nissan Armada
Nissan’s full-size Armada boasts a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds for the 2017 model year. Featuring a standard V8 engine, these body-on-frame SUVs currently go for less than $20,000 on the used market like this Platinum model with a bit more than 100,000 miles. Though base SV trim lines came nicely equipped with LED headlights, an 8” central touchscreen, and heated front seats, the Platinum variant is straight-up luxurious. Features include a heated steering wheel, extended leather trim, and ventilated front seats.
2017 Audi Q7
The 2017 Audi Q7 can’t compete with the likes of a Tahoe or Suburban in cabin space. However, it does come with three rows of seating and a 7,700-pound max tow capacity. This requires finding a used model with the 3.0L supercharged V6, not the base turbocharged four-pot. Like this Q7 Prestige, the top-line setup, with just 89,000 miles for about $18,000. It’s stacked with features like a head-up display, an SVM, a power-adjustable steering column, and quad-zone automatic climate control.
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee
For the ideal combination of strong towing – up to 7,200 pounds with the V8 – and off-road capability, it’s hard to beat a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Like its Dodge Durango cousin, opting for the tow-friendly 5.7L V8 requires a higher-end trim line like the Overland. But on the used market, there are plenty of options for less than $20,000. In Overland spec, the Grand Cherokee featured amenities like air suspension, a dual-pane panoramic moonroof, climatized front seats, and a 9-speaker audio system.
