Well, if you hate the idea of driving a big car, there are plenty of smaller cars around that are easier to drive and still very capable of towing heavy loads. With the most advanced modern-day engines, even relatively compact hatchbacks pack enough punch to tow small caravans and loaded trailers.
What is the best small car for towing?
The list is endless, but here are the best 10 small vehicles that tow incredibly well. Table of Contents. Best Small Cars that Can Tow. Mercedes Benz E200. Kia Soul LX. Toyota Matrix. VW Golf 2.0 TDI. Saab 9-5 Wagon. Subaru Outback Wagon.
Why are smaller cars so good at towing?
Over the years, body construction and advances in smaller powertrains have come a long way. Because of these advances in the automotive industry, smaller vehicles have been given great towing ability. As crossovers’ and wagons’ popularity grows, so too does their towing ability.
Can I tow a car with my car?
Before we get into the details of actually towing a car with your car, a few simple guidelines are worth reviewing: First, the tow vehicle should be larger and heavier than the car being towed, as it requires more engine and braking power to both motivate and stop two cars instead of one. Second, make sure there is no one in the car being towed.
How much can an SUV tow?
A towing capacity of 2,000-4,500 pounds will be enough to pull a modest-sized boat or pop-up camper. Because an SUV’s towing capacity can vary — based on the engine with which it’s equipped, among other factors — the specific configuration that yields the best towing abilities is noted for each model.
Can a small car tow a small car?
Most can be towed with a small size vehicle. A larger model may require a heavier pickup or van as the towing vehicle.
What determines the towing capacity of a car?
Towing Capacity: How Much Your Truck Can Pull You can find your truck's towing capacity in the owner's manual or calculate it on your own. To find your truck's towing capacity, subtract your truck's curb weight from its Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR).
Can all cars tow?
In general, a mid-size car and some family minivans or smaller SUVs may have the capacity to tow up to 3,500 pounds, or a small, lightweight camper, pop-up trailer, very small boat on a trailer or a utility trailer. To get you started, here are a few of the most common cars and trucks that can easily tow!
Can I exceed my cars towing capacity?
GTW can never exceed your vehicle's towing capacity. If you were to attempt to pull a trailer that weighs more than the manufacturer says your vehicle can tow, you might be able to get it moving. But you'd find it difficult to control and likely be unsafe on the road.
How do I upgrade my towing capacity?
How to Increase Towing CapacityGet the Right Hitch. First and foremost, you will need to invest in the right type of hitch. ... Use a Programmer. ... Replace Axles. ... Upgrade the Braking System. ... Install a Bigger Radiator. ... Upgrade Suspension. ... Enhance Your Intake and Exhaust. ... Upgrade Your Truck.More items...•
Which cars have a 3500 kg towing capacity?
Cars with highest towing capacityFord Ranger.Land Rover Discovery 4.Mercedes Sprinter.SsangYong Rexton.Audi Q7.Land Rover Defender.Volkswagen Touareg.Mitsubishi L200.
What small cars can tow?
10 Small SUVs for Towing 2,000 lbs+ Without Breaking the Bank2020 Ford EcoSport. The 2020 Ford EcoSport is one of the smallest SUVs you can buy today. ... 2020 Hyundai Tucson. ... 2020 Jeep Cherokee. ... 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. ... 2020 Ford Escape. ... 2020 Toyota RAV4. ... 2020 Volvo XC40. ... 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport.More items...•
Do small cars have hitches?
Most compact cars do not come with a hitch. According to the National Safety Commission, only about 40% of vehicles are equipped with it. Apparently, all cars won't be delivered with a towing hitch because the manufacturer might not consider the vehicle suitable for towing.
What small cars can tow a camper?
Honda Passport — 5,000 pounds. The Passport is a midsize crossover SUV. ... Audi Q5 — 4,400 pounds. As far as small luxury SUVs go, the Audi Q5 offers the most towing capacity, at 4,400 pounds. ... Jeep Cherokee — 4,500 pounds. The Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV. ... Toyota RAV4 — 3,500 pounds. ... Ford Escape — 3,500 pounds.
What is maximum towing capacity?
Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can tow when pulling a trailer. It is determined by the vehicle manufacturer and takes into account the GVWR, GAWR, GTW and more. What does towing capacity mean? Very simply, it is how heavy your trailer can be.
What affects towing capacity?
The amount of weight a vehicle can pull can be affected by its engine, transmission, and suspension. Most vehicles powerful enough to be used for towing heavy loads get offered with a selection of each of those components.
What can you tow with 10000 lbs capacity?
Here is a list of the most popular pickup trucks that can tow 10,000 pounds:F-150.F-250.GMC Sierra 1500.GMC Sierra 2500.Ram 1500.Ram 2500.Silverado 1500.Toyota Tundra.
How does GVWR relate to towing capacity?
GVWR vs Towing Capacity GVWR is the maximum weight capacity of a vehicle without a trailer attached. Towing capacity, on the other hand, is the maximum weight capacity of the vehicle, specifically in terms of how heavy of a trailer it can tow.
What are the two things you have to know to determine a vehicles payload capacity?
Calculating Payload Capacity To calculate your vehicle's payload capacity, you only need to know two things: your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and its curb weight.
1. Mercedes Benz E200
Yup, you guessed it right. This popular model from Mercedes is at the top of our list. Mercedes Benz E200 is built solid and can tow pretty heavy loads smoothly. It has a starting price of around $15k.
2. Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI
Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI is another impressive vehicle for towing. This lightweight car is not only elegant in looking and comfort but also rich in raw towing power. The Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI will also cost around $15k.
3. Kia Soul LX
In third place on our list is the Kia Soul LX. It’s not a small car exactly. You can call it a hybrid crossover between SUV and a compact car. This car has been redesigned and looks pretty impressive. Though this car looks robust and pricey, it’s actually pretty affordable. The starting price of this car is around $17k.
4. Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra is a great lightweight vehicle for towing. Though it does not have a rugged look, it is an agile car that can meddle terrains without breaking a sweat. So, don’t fall for its mild look. It’s a rugged car in disguise.
5. Toyota Corolla SE
Maybe all of you were wondering if a Corolla is on the list or not. So, here it is. Behold the Toyota Corolla SE, the cheapest car on this list. It is built pretty solid and can tow an impressive amount of load. S the cheapest car on the list, its starting price is around only $9.5K.
Verdict
There is a saying that good things come in small packages. You can say that about the cars on this list too. Though they are small, they can tow pretty smoothly. Select one of these according to your budget and you should be good to go.
Which is better for towing, a Cruze or a Toyota Corolla?
The Cruze is one of the better small cars for towing with its 695kg unbraked rating, which puts it ahead of the Golf (640kg), Ford's Focus (500kg), Honda's Civic (500kg), Mazda's 3 (500kg) and Toyota Corolla (450kg).
Why are rear wheel drive cars better than front wheel drive?
Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive cars have an advantage over their front-drive equivalents when towing really heavy loads because the extra weight pushes down over the driving wheels, aiding traction in slippery conditions.
What car does John have?
John has a six-cylinder Subaru Outback that he bought to tow his small fibreglass fishing boat. It has done the job but has also proven to be a bit more than he needs in terms of towing capacity, fuel economy and ownership costs. He's thinking of getting a VW Golf DSG but isn't sure if a front-wheel-drive car is the right way to go.
Is the 1.4 litre iTi turbo diesel good?
Its regular six-speed auto is also smoother off the line than dual-clutch equivalents, while the 1.4-litre iTi turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines deliver the solid response at low revs you want for towing. It's a comfortable, safe and competent small car that won't cost a bomb to maintain.
How much weight can a Kia tow?
This Kia key numbers (1600kg maximum capacity, 200kg TDL) put it a step behind the Jeep for towing muscle.
How much can a Jeep tow?
This Jeep has a maximum towing capacity equal to many bigger SUVs (2393kg) and a beefy towball download limit (239kg) as well.
How much towball can a Mazda3 have?
So we'll need to take a more generalised approach, though we will head straight to the SUV class – a small-sized regular passenger car like a Mazda3, which has a maximum 1200kg braked capacity and 75kg towball download (the real limiting factor, given this can be up to 10 per cent of the total weight being towed), would likely be cutting things too fine.
How much weight can a Lily's float horse weigh?
That, however, is a bit of problem here because we don't know the combined weight of Lily's float/horse combo. A lightweight single float and smaller horse might be rate somewhere in the low 1000s (kg) but a larger horse in a double float with inbuilt storage and other add-ons could easily push things closer to 1500kg-plus.
Is the Cherokee a compact SUV?
Lily may find the Cherokee is the only reasonably compact SUV that can handle her particular towing needs . There's plenty to like about it but its value and servicing credentials would make us think twice if we didn't need to tow a monster load.
How much can an SUV tow?
A towing capacity of 2,000-4,500 pounds will be enough to pull a modest-sized boat or pop-up camper. Because an SUV’s towing capacity can vary — based on the engine with which it’s equipped, among other factors — the specific configuration that yields the best towing abilities is noted for each model.
How much can a Sportage tow?
With either engine, the new Sportage is rated at a maximum 2,000-pound towing capacity. This number, however, is available only with trailer braking; without it, the capacity is 1,653 pounds. Though no specific towing equipment package is offered, a hitch is available as a port-installed option.
How much can a Jeep Wrangler pull?
The Jeep Wrangler best for towing is the four-door version, which Jeep says can pull up to 3,500 pounds regardless of powertrain or trim, so long as it’s equipped with an optional Trailer Tow and Heavy-Duty Electrical Group. That package includes a 24-amp alternator, a 700-amp battery, 7- and 4-pin wiring harnesses, auxiliary switches, and a Class II receiver hitch. The standard two-door Wrangler can tow up to 2,000 pounds when thus equipped.
What to check when buying a small SUV?
If you’re looking to buy used, check the owner’s manual for towing limits and recommendations.
Is the Rav4 a good car?
The RAV4 is a stellar compact crossover SUV. It looks good, it’s a solid performer, it ’s sufficiently spacious inside, and it comes standard with a long list of high-tech driver-assist features. It’s even available as a fuel-sipping gas/electric hybrid model. A TRD Off-Road trim with AWD, suspension upgrades, higher ground clearance, and more-rugged styling cues joins the lineup for 2021.
How much weight can a Chevy Bolt tow?
The Chevy Bolt is maybe the most surprising model on the list. The Bolt has an unofficial towing capacity of about 2,000 lbs. This is not the strongest of the best small vehicles for towing, but it is far more than most would guess.
What is the best towable vehicle for a camper?
The Subaru line is all about providing wheels for adventurous people. The ability to tow a small camper or toy hauler really sharpens this focus into a fine point. Not only is it one of the best small vehicles for towing, but it can also handle up to a 1,200-lb payload.
How much can a 2021 Subaru Outback pull?
According to Forbes, the 2021 Subaru Outback can pull an impressive 3,500lbs when properly configured.
How much can a Kia pull?
Kia’s most popular SUV can pull up to a whopping 5,000 lbs. That is rubbing up against actual pickup trucks towing capacity. The Kia Telluride is truly one of the best vehicles for towing that you might not have thought of.
How much can a Honda Pilot 2021 tow?
One of Honda’s most popular crossovers is here to lay a surprise on the towing world. Like some of the others on this list, the 2021 Honda Pilot can drag 3,500 lbs, no problem. These crossovers are firmly in the “mom-car” camp, but that is a foolish and outdated mindset.
Is Kia Telluride good for towing?
The Kia Telluride is truly one of the best vehicles for towing that you might not have thought of. Not only is the Telluride’s V6 a strong pulling motor, but it also has AWD and an optional trailer brake. Kia actually built this bad boy with towing in mind.
Is the 2021 Pacifica a mini van?
RELATED: The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica’s New Interior Is More Bentley Than Mini-Van. The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica isn’ t exactly a “small vehicle,” but it definitely falls into the category of best vehicles for towing that you wouldn’t guess.
What is the best way to tow a car with another car?
A car hauling trailer, either open or enclosed, is the best and safest option for towing a car with another car. With a car hauler, all four wheels of the towed vehicle sit on the trailer. Simply drive the car up onto the trailer and secure it with straps and/or chains. You'll need to use a truck as your tow vehicle for this method because ...
How to tell if you can tow a car?
To determine if you can tow another vehicle with your car, you'll need to do some basic fact-finding. You'll need to know the tow rating of your vehicle (how many pounds your vehicle can tow), if your vehicle has a tow hitch installed, if the car you are towing has 2-wheel (2WD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD), and if the vehicle being towed has an automatic or manual transmission. And, if your vehicle has 2WD, is it front-wheel drive (FWD) or rear-wheel drive (RWD)? If in doubt on any of these, check your owner's manual.
What Can Happen to the Towed Vehicle If You Do It Wrong?
Towing a vehicle improperly can damage the driveline of the towed vehicle and void the warranty. Replacing driveline parts can be extremely expensive, and you should avoid this at all costs.
What does a tow dolly do?
Using a tow dolly keeps the towed vehicle's front tires up off the ground, which helps to reduce both tire and driveline wear on the car being towed. One of the benefits of a tow dolly is that it eliminates "pushing" (discussed below) of the rear vehicle when braking.
What do you need to flat tow a 4WD?
For a towed 4WD vehicle with a manual transmission, you'll need to properly disengage the transfer case and lockout hubs and transmission. You'll likely need to reference the owner's manual for this operation.
How to avoid panic stops when towing a car?
Since the vehicle you are towing may not weigh much less than the vehicle you are driving, the physical laws of motion apply. Ensure your brakes are up to the task and that your rotors and pads are in good condition.
How to drive a car when it's being towed?
Drive slower than you usually would. The extra weight of the vehicle being towed means longer braking distances , so you need to adjust your speed accordingly. Leave plenty of room between your car and the one ahead.
What kind of trailer hitch would a compact car use?
Most compact cars will use a Class 1 trailer hitch, which is suitable for small campers and trailers. Typically, a Class 1 hitch is rated at a 2,000-pound towing capacity and a 200-pound tongue weight. The tongue weight is the weight that a loaded trailer puts on the hitch. It’s important to know since a tongue weight that’s too heavy can reduce traction to the front tires and reduce the car’s steering control. Too little tongue weight can cause the trailer to sway.
How many people can a compact car carry?
After all, they’re called “commuter cars” for a reason. Believe it or not, there are many new compact cars currently in the market that can tow up to 2,000 pounds despite their smaller, lightweight statures.