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The Best Used Trucks and SUVs for Towing

Ram

Article QuickTakes

• Mid-Size SUV: 2017-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Full-Size Pickup Truck: 2016-2018 Ram 1500
• Luxury Full-Size SUV: 2018 Lincoln Navigator
• Full-Size SUV: 2016-2018 Toyota Sequoia
• Mid-Size SUV: 2016-2018 Ford Explorer

Searching for a used pickup truck, crossover, or SUV to serve as a tow rig? There’s no shortage of options, which can make deciding on one vehicle feel daunting. We’re here to help.

We narrowed down the list by insisting on certain criteria. All of these best used trucks and SUVs for towing offer at least 5,000 pounds of towing capacity and a factory-installed Class III or IV hitch with wiring for a four- and/or seven-pin trailer connector. They also have trailer sway control, which uses the stability control system to apply the brakes as needed to prevent the trailer from swinging out—something you’ll want when pulling a load at high speeds in inclement weather or windy conditions. We also limited our vehicle choices to the light-duty, for towing small campers, smaller boats, or utility trailers.

We looked across different segments and came up with a mix of well-regarded mid- and full-size picks from the mainstream and luxury markets. Each of our five recommended vehicles provides a respectable combination of value, capability, and features, and each has an X factor—be it a tech feature, a suspension tune, or an appealing powertrain—that makes it stand out in its class.

Jeep

Mid-Size SUV: 2017-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee

If you need something on the smaller side, consider the Jeep Grand Cherokee. For 2017 and 2018, Jeep offered the two-row SUV with a gas V-6, a diesel V-6, and a few V-8s. Depending on the powertrain and some optional equipment, this mid-sizer can tow up to 7,400 pounds. Your best bet is to target the 5.7-liter V-8 model with the Trailer Tow Group IV package as that configuration sits at the top of the heap when it comes to towing capacity. The package brings additional engine cooling, a Class IV hitch with trailer wiring, and—most compelling of all—a load-leveling suspension that keeps the Jeep balanced with a trailer attached.

Ram

Full-Size Pickup Truck: 2016-2018 Ram 1500

From the base Tradesman to the off-road-oriented Rebel to the plush Limited, the Ram 1500 can handle substantial trailer loads, with towing capacities between 4,210 and 10,640 pounds, depending on the truck’s configuration and powertrain. The top trim level provides a remarkably upscale cabin and gives this workhorse some stealth luxury. A coil-spring rear suspension helps the truck ride smoothly when it’s unloaded, and several towing features—such as trailer sway control, a trailer brake controller, and a Class IV hitch—are in the cards. Ram equips every 1500 with wiring for the trailer harness. We recommend the six-cylinder EcoDiesel engine. It’s a reliable and efficient choice, boasting better fuel economy and more torque than the Ram’s V-8, plus a strong tow rating of up to 9,210 pounds, making it a clear choice for one of the best used trucks for towing.

Lincoln

Luxury Full-Size SUV: 2018 Lincoln Navigator

For 2018, Lincoln redesigned the Navigator with fantastic styling inside and out and a long list of high-end features to make it competitive with other premium family-haulers. With its twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engine producing a whopping 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, it’s no surprise that this full-size luxury SUV can tow up to 8,700 pounds. (The long-wheelbase L model tops out at 8,400 pounds.)

Find a model with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package and you’ll benefit from not only a trailer brake controller and extra engine cooling, but also the Pro Trailer Backup Assist. This feature makes reversing your tow rig easy by taking the guesswork out of it. The driver, operating the accelerator and brakes, simply turns a dash-mounted knob to direct the trailer to the desired heading and the Navigator will steer to follow that arc.

Toyota

Full-Size SUV: 2016-2018 Toyota Sequoia

The Sequoia isn’t the newest SUV design out there, but this three-row people mover combines Toyota reliability with the Tundra pickup’s stout chassis. A reasonably affordable choice, the Sequoia can pull up to 7,400 pounds and comes standard with a heavy-duty alternator, four- and seven-pin trailer connectors, a Class IV hitch, and extra cooling for the transmission. The real draw of the Toyota, however, is its 381-hp, 401-lb-ft V-8. And when equipped with four-wheel drive, the Sequoia gains a Torsen locking center differential, which comes in handy on the boat ramp. With all it packs, it’s easy to call it one of the best SUVs for towing.

Ford

Mid-Size SUV: 2016-2018 Ford Explorer

Compared with body-on-frame vehicles like the Sequoia, the unibody Ford Explorer provides a more car-like driving experience, but don’t let that fool you. It’s up for the task of towing. You’ll want to skip the four-cylinder model, which offers only a Class II hitch, and set your sights on an Explorer with the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and the Class III Trailer Tow package’s 5,000-pound tow rating, transmission cooler, trailer wiring, and anti-sway stability-control feature. Ford’s EcoBoost V-6 is one of the most impressive engines in the mid-size SUV class, providing 365 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. For serious towing, it’s well worth the premium over the non-turbo V-6.

This site is for educational purposes only. The third parties listed are not affiliated with Capital One and are solely responsible for their opinions, products and services. Capital One does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The information presented in this article is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change. The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. The material provided on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any Capital One product or service to your unique circumstances. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.

Benjamin Hunting is a writer and podcast host who contributes to a number of newspapers, automotive magazines, and online publications. More than a decade into his career, he enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days and always has one too many classic vehicle projects partially disassembled in his garage at any given time. Remember, if it’s not leaking, it’s probably empty.

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Used SUVs and Trucks Could Be Getting Cheaper

While used vehicles don’t always offer the same safety features as new ones, buying used can save you a bundle. Whether you’re in the market for a pickup truck or luxury SUV, there’s undoubtedly a reliable, affordable model available. Some are available for less than $30,000. And it appears that used trucks and SUVs might …

While used vehicles don’t always offer the same safety features as new ones, buying used can save you a bundle. Whether you’re in the market for a pickup truck or luxury SUV, there’s undoubtedly a reliable, affordable model available. Some are available for less than $30,000. And it appears that used trucks and SUVs might be getting even more affordable in the near future.

Why used SUVs and trucks are getting cheaper

One of the biggest reasons for the predicted decrease in used SUV and truck values, Automotive News reports, is due to sheer volume.

Edmunds.com estimated that by the end of 2019, SUVs will command more than 50% of the market for the first time. In addition, pickup trucks’ market share is expected to rise to 19%, something that hasn’t happened since 2005.

It’s not just from new vehicle sales, either. Edmunds.com also reported that SUVs and trucks will account for 52.6% of vehicles going off-lease in 2019, overtaking passenger cars for the first time. In fact, Automotive News reports that SUV leases, on their own, overtook passenger car leases: 2.26 million SUV and crossover leases vs. 1.26 million car leases.

In short, there’s a lot of fairly-new SUVs and trucks hitting the used market. And according to J.D. Power executive analyst David Price, this high volume is what’s suppressing prices despite strong demand. This is why the Ford F-150 has the worst resale value of any truck: high sales basically flooded the market. Passenger cars are still popular on the used market, but lower inventory levels are causing increased prices.

And it’s not as if the used trucks and SUVs available are stripped-down versions, either.

Luxury and higher-trim used SUVs and trucks are becoming bargains

When it comes to buying used SUVs and trucks, buying luxury or higher-trim models may be the better buy.

Edmunds.com explained that, in the used market, higher-trim versions of the same vehicle command less of a premium than new. Edmunds.com used the example of a 2014 Honda Accord: new, the highest trim cost was roughly $10,000 more expensive than a base model; used, that difference shrinks to about $4,400.

Luxury vehicles also aren’t necessarily the only way to get valuable features anymore. David Price explained that nowadays, the gap in options between mass-market and luxury vehicles is fairly small. As a result, luxury used SUVs and trucks are a bit of a bargain. Their owners, iSeeCars CEO Phong Ly explained, buy or lease the newest model available, then dump it when the next version comes out.

Even the Mercedes G-Class, which depreciates less than the average vehicle, SUV or not, still loses roughly 45% of its value over 5 years.

Will this trend continue?

Overall, the answer appears to be “yes”.

Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke estimates that adjusting for inflation, used vehicle prices overall will decline by about 1.5% in 2020. Passenger cars and SUVs also depreciate at roughly the same rate: iSeeCars reported average 5-year depreciation rates at 49.6% and 51.6% respectively. With SUVs and trucks seemingly continuing their market dominance, their prices will most likely continue to stay fairly low, if not go even lower.

Some SUVs and trucks may buck the trend. The Toyota 4Runner, for example, retains its value better than almost any other vehicle on the market. Its design may be old-school, but it’s precisely that design—and its reputation for reliability—that keeps values high. Used Toyota trucks and SUVs have high resale values overall because of their reliability.

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10Best Trucks and SUVs for 2023

Our annual awards cut through the clutter to find the trucks and SUVs that live up to their purpose while delivering incredible value and a great driving experience.

From the February/March 2023 issue of Car and Driver.

Stand at attention: a second 10Best list is here. From a long list of contenders, we have chosen the best trucks and SUVs for sale in a crowded market. Each choice delights, satisfies, and exceeds expectations.

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Reality isn’t buffering. This isn’t a mistake—you are in fact looking at a second 10Best list. Last month we gave out our 2023 10Best Cars awards; this time, we’re picking our favorite trucks, SUVs, and basically anything that isn’t a car. With the market shift away from cars and the explosion of SUV and truck offerings, we decided to give them their due and award a second 10Best. We invited trucks, SUVs, and vans priced from below $110,000, a number selected based on the assumption that anything that costs more better be pretty damn great. For a week, the Car and Driver staff left the office to shake down the vehicles on our 10Best loop. After a few note-comparing discussions around the dinner table, we sat down to vote individually. Scores were averaged, and the 10Best emerged. Each winner leads its segment and offers the refinement, practicality, and value we look for during judging. Of course, C/D believes those virtues shouldn’t come at the expense of the driving experience. Satisfying performance and entertaining vehicle dynamics are a requirement for every 10Best winner, no matter its shape, size, or segment.

Click each individual vehicle to get its full story, or keep reading to find out more about the 2023 10Best Trucks and SUVs.

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