Our Picks For The 8 Best Cars For Towing Boats (2023)
Photo by Kirk Thornton on Unsplash
After years of saving and pondering, you’ve finally bought your dream boat. Congratulations! However, do you think you have the right vehicle to tow your new boat? Whatever boat you have purchased, at some point, you’ll have to get it on land and tow it. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of vehicles that will help you with your boat towing duties.
Of course, the best cars for towing boats should have enough towing capacity. It will also depend on which type of boat you bought. For instance, pontoon boats generally average 2,200 pounds, while larger units like deck boats weigh about 4,000 pounds with fuel. In addition, you’ll also have to take the weight of your boat trailer into account. Since we’re dealing with vehicles with high towing capacities, most sedans are out.
If you’re really serious about towing your boat, you’ll want a heavy-duty SUV or pickup truck. With that said, below are some of the best cars for towing boats worth checking out.
1. 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs
The famous Subaru Outback is hard to ignore, especially when it’s a perennial favorite among outdoor and adventure junkies. As a Subaru, it comes with standard AWD and a suite of excellent safety features like Advanced Adaptive Cruise and Pre-Collision Braking. With a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, the Outback Wilderness is more than ready to tow your boat to and from your favorite spots. With a starting price of $38,445, it’s one of the most affordable SUVs that can pull a boat.
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2. 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Towing Capacity: 6,200-7,200 lbs
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been doing great for many years now. With the 2023 Grand Cherokee, you can expect top-notch off-road capabilities and a more upscale interior. The 2023 Grand Cherokee has a towing capacity of 6,200 lbs, which should be more than enough to haul larger boats. However, if you have the three-row model with the HEMI V8 engine, the towing capacity is upgraded to a whopping 7,200 lbs. Overall, it’s a solid family SUV that can tow small to medium boats.
3. 2023 Ford F-150
Towing Capacity: 8,200-11,300 lbs
It’s no surprise, but the uber-popular Ford F-150 is one of the best trucks for towing boats. The best-selling truck has done a great job of evolving with the times with turbocharged engines, hybrid options, and an all-electric model. The base 3.3-liter V-6 engine provides a maximum towing power of 8,200 pounds. Meanwhile, the model with a 400 hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine has a towing capacity that maxes out at 14,000 lbs. It also includes extra equipment like the Pro Trailer Backup Assist that helps align your boat with the loading ramp.
4. 2023 Nissan Armada
Towing Capacity: 8,500 lbs
The Nissan Armada was an SUV that needed a much-needed update. Fortunately, Nissan got on the case and gave the Armada a recent update with more power and freshened-up styling. The 2023 Armada comes with a 400 hp V8 engine which offers a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 lbs and should be able to handle larger boats. It also boasts an upmarket cabin with good seating capacity in the first two rows. Unfortunately, the 2023 Armada needs to improve in terms of fuel economy, which will worsen while you tow a boat.
5. 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe
Towing Capacity: 8,400 lbs
Do you see the ongoing theme here? You need capable and powerful SUVs to tow your boats. The 2023 Chevy Tahoe offers a good range of engines and a comfortable interior. It’s powered by a 355 hp V-8 engine at the base, with an available 420 hp V-8 if you want more power. The 2023 Tahoe’s towing capacity maxes out at 8,400 lbs with the proper equipment (NHT Max Trailering Package). With a spacious interior, impressive power, and sizable towing capacity, the 2023 Tahoe is an excellent SUV for adventure-seeking families.
6. 2023 Ram 3500 HD
Towing Capacity: 37,090 lbs
The massive 2023 Ram 3500 HD should be your pickup truck of choice if you want to go nuts. When equipped with the 400 hp Cummins diesel inline-six engine, the 2023 Ram 3500 HD has a mindblowing towing power of 37,090 lbs. Even with lower specced configurations, the RAM 3500 can handle trailer weights of up to 14,370 lbs, which still beats many vehicles on this list. For pure towing capacity, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2023 Ram 3500 HD.
THE BEST SEDANS WITH HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE
There are plenty of vehicles on the market that let you tower over obstacles without losing the convenience of a compact car. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of our favorite new sedans with high ground clearance.
7. 2023 Ford Expedition
Towing Capacity: 9,300 lbs
For a full-size SUV (read: a large three-row SUV), the Ford Expedition is always an excellent option for a sizable family. The Expedition comfortably seats up to eight people, offers an incredible amount of cargo capacity, and a long list of features – it’s a well-rounded SUV with enough brawn for towing boats. With a towing capacity that maxes out at 9,300 lbs, the 2023 Ford Expedition is easily one of the best cars for towing boats.
WHAT TO DO IF A DEALER REFUSES TO CANCEL EXTENDED WARRANTY
Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.
8. 2023 Lincoln Navigator
Towing Capacity: 8,700 lbs
Being a luxury model, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is easily the most expensive vehicle on this list of the best cars for towing boats. The 2023 Lincoln Navigator hits all the check marks for an incredible SUV, including twin-turbo engines, a ridiculous list of luxurious features and amenities, and a super-sized cabin that can accommodate seven people. With the 440 hp twin-turbocharged V-6 engine and the optional Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow package, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator offers a max towing capacity of 8,700 lbs.
That wraps up our list of the best vehicles for towing your brand-new boat. As you can see, it’s pretty much all pickup trucks and SUVs here. However, suppose you’re serious about using a sedan to tow a small-ish boat. In that case, you may consider getting the Volvo S60 with a respectable towing capacity of 3,500 lbs with the proper setup. However, we really don’t recommend using your sedan for heavy-duty towing jobs.
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