The 5 Best SUVs for Towing a Boat

5Toyota 4Runner

While its competitors are now more into carlike crossovers, the 4Runner still maintains the full-frame feature of an SUV. The most recent model of Toyota’s product was released in 2010 and comes either as a 2- or 4-wheel drive. This is a great option for towing a boat as it has the capacity of towing up to 5,000 pounds. Also, its four-wheel-drive option focuses on off-road ability.

Though the 4Runner is not listed among the most rugged in town, it is driven by a powerful engine – the Toyota 4.0-liter V6 with 270 horsepower – which makes it a great option for towing.

4Dodge Durango

Though the Durango does not feature an underneath full-frame, its V8 power makes it stand out among other SUVs for towing a boat. Another factor that makes this vehicle stand out is its rear-wheel-drive option and its 360-hp 5.7-liter Hemi engine, which is one of the powerful in the industry. While the rear-wheel-drive gives a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds, the all-wheel-drive offers 7,200 pounds towing capacity.

If you think the V8 Durango is too much for what you ask from an SUV, you can opt for the lower-grade version, which is powered by a 293-hp 3.6-liter V6 with a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds.

3Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee shares the same engine with the Dodge Durango, as it also features V6 and Hemi V8 engines. However, this model also comes with a 240hp, 3.0-liter Turbodiesel V6, which is found in the Ram 1500 half-ton pickup.

This diesel engine that was first introduced in 2010 can tow up to 7,400 pounds when in two-wheel-drive mode and a drop of 200 pounds to make 7,200 when in the four-wheel-drive. The Grand Cherokee is an excellent option for off-road ability and comfortable ride.

2Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is not only a great choice for those looking for an SUV to tow a boat, but it is also an excellent option to consider when it comes to a roomy SUV. With the 3.5-liter V6 engine, this SUV has an impressive towing capacity of 9,900 pounds.

The Ford Expedition also offers the options of four-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive. It is, however, important to mention that the four-wheel-drive option has a towing capacity of only 6,600 pounds.

The Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator are close cousins, sharing a lot of large components with one another.

The Expedition can't match the Navigator when it comes to luxury, but Ford's SUV is so much more affordable that it's difficult to overlook, the Navigator is an opulent machine, while the Expedition is more utilitarian.

1Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator is another best SUV for towing a boat, thanks to its powerful engine, the V6 engine backed with turbocharging, which makes it capable to contend with other SUVs powered with the common V8 engine.

The Lincoln Navigator is available in both rear- and four-wheel-drive options, a feature that varies its towing capacity. While the rear-wheel-drive has a towing capacity of 8,700, the four-wheel-drive option offers a towing capacity of 8,400 pounds.

In addition to having more standard features than the Expedition, the Navigator's cabin also feels much more luxurious than the Expedition's. The way Lincoln's designers and engineers have made the Navigator feel opulent puts it in a class above the Expedition.