Best luxury 3-row SUVs for towing

The body-on-frame full-size SUVs lead on tow rating: the Lincoln Navigator (8,700 lb), the Infiniti QX80 (8,500 lb), and the Cadillac Escalade (8,100 lb). All three are built on truck architecture, which is the structural reason their tow ratings are higher than most unibody peers.

Among unibody three-rows, the Range Rover LWB seven-seat rates 7,716 lb (3,500 kg); the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Audi Q7, and Rivian R1S all rate 7,700 lb; the BMW X7 rates 7,500 lb; the Genesis GV80 rates 6,000 lb. The Lexus TX, Volvo XC90, Acura MDX, and Lincoln Aviator rate 5,000 lb — enough for a small camper or utility trailer but not for larger boats or horse trailers.

Two structural caveats apply across the segment. EV tow ratings assume access to charging that handles the weight of a trailer, which is materially less common than gas-station coverage. And max tow rating is the ceiling, not the practical operating point — tongue weight, hitch setup, and powertrain heat all bring real-world comfort below the rated number.