What is the best Subaru to pull a trailer?

For towing, the Subaru lineup offers options that range from light-duty to strong mid-range performance, with the Ascent serving as the clear heavy-tow choice, while the Outback handles most mid-range trailers and the Forester and Crosstrek cover lighter duties. The best pick depends on the trailer’s weight and your passenger and cargo needs.

Tow capacity by model

Here is a snapshot of typical maximum towing figures for recent Subaru models. Exact numbers can vary by year, engine, and equipment, so always check the official spec sheet for your exact vehicle.

• Ascent — Up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped with the towing package.


• Outback — Up to 2,700 pounds with the standard 2.5-liter engine; up to 3,500 pounds with the available 2.4-liter turbo engine.


• Forester — Up to 2,700 pounds (primarily with the 2.5-liter engine).


• Crosstrek — Up to 1,000 pounds (light-duty towing).

For heavier trailers near or above 3,000 pounds, the Ascent is the most practical option among current Subarus; for traditional mid-range towing, the Outback offers a strong balance of capability and efficiency, while the Forester and Crosstrek are best for lighter tows.

Model-by-model quick guide

This quick guide highlights what each Subaru currently offers in terms of maximum trailer tow capacity and typical use cases.

• Ascent — Best for families or crews needing to tow up to 5,000 pounds; also provides ample passenger and cargo space.


• Outback — Solid all-around option for towing 2,700–3,500 pounds; blends cargo/passenger space with comfortable daily driving.


• Forester — Capable for mid-size trailers around 2,700 pounds; strong safety features and good fuel economy for daily use.


• Crosstrek — Suitable for very light trailers (around 1,000 pounds) or utility trailers for light gear.

Bottom line: If you regularly need to tow near 5,000 pounds, the Ascent is the clear choice. For most trips staying under about 3,500 pounds, the Outback offers a favorable mix of capability and efficiency, while the Forester and Crosstrek cover lighter towing needs with lower overall cost of ownership.

Practical towing tips with Subaru

Beyond choosing the right model, proper equipment and towing practices are essential for safety and reliability on the road.

• Use the correct hitch and, if required, Subaru’s towing package to meet spec and warranty requirements.


• For heavier loads, consider a weight-distributing hitch to improve stability and tongue weight distribution.


• Install a trailer brake controller for trailers with their own braking system to ensure effective stopping power.


• Know the GVWR, payload, and tongue weight of your vehicle; distinguish between payload capacity and tongue weight when planning your trailer load.


• Ensure cooling for the engine and transmission on long or steep climbs; follow Subaru’s guidelines for fluids and cooling upgrades if needed.


• Regularly inspect tires, lights, and trailer hardware; maintain proper tire pressure for both vehicle and trailer.

Following these guidelines helps you tow safely and within the vehicle’s limits, while keeping warranty considerations in mind and consulting your dealer for year- and trim-specific specs.

Summary

For the heaviest towing tasks, the Subaru Ascent stands out with a 5,000-pound rating when properly equipped. For most mid-range towing up to about 3,500 pounds, the Outback offers an excellent balance of capability and efficiency. For lighter trailers, the Forester and Crosstrek provide adequate capacity with lower running costs. Always verify the exact towing capacity for your model year and trim, and equip your Subaru with the appropriate hitch, brake control, and cooling measures as needed. Plan according to your trailer’s weight and your vehicle’s payload to ensure safe, reliable towing.

Which Subaru is best for towing?

The best Subaru for towing is the Ascent (5,0005 comma 0005,000 lbs capacity), making it ideal for larger trailers and boats. For mid-range needs, the Outback with a turbocharged engine (3,5003 comma 5003,500 lbs) or the Forester Wilderness and Crosstrek Wilderness trims (both 3,0003 comma 0003,000 and 3,5003 comma 5003,500 lbs, respectively) are excellent choices. 
This video explains how to choose the right Subaru for towing: 58sSubaru AustraliaYouTube · Dec 18, 2024
Highest towing capacity 

• Ascent: Offers the highest towing capacity in the Subaru lineup at 5,0005 comma 0005,000 pounds, making it the best choice for towing larger trailers, campers, or boats. 

Mid-range towing capacity 

• Outback:
  • With a 2.4L turbocharged engine, it can tow up to 3,5003 comma 5003,500 pounds. 
  • The standard 2.5L engine has a lower capacity of 2,7002 comma 7002,700 pounds. 
• Forester:
  • The standard trims tow 1,5001 comma 5001,500 pounds. 
  • The Wilderness trim is more capable, with a towing capacity of 3,0003 comma 0003,000 pounds. 
• Crosstrek:
  • Standard models have a towing capacity of 1,5001 comma 5001,500 pounds. 
  • The Wilderness trim significantly increases this to 3,5003 comma 5003,500 pounds. 

This video shows a Subaru Outback Wilderness towing a trailer: 1mRoaming With JoshYouTube · Jan 12, 2022
Things to consider when towing

• Engine: The turbocharged Outback models have a higher towing capacity than those with the standard engine. 
• Trim level: For the Forester and Crosstrek, the Wilderness trims offer substantially higher towing capacities than the standard models. 
• Towing package: Ensure you have the necessary towing equipment, especially a seven-pin connector if you need to control trailer brakes. 
• Safety cushion: It's recommended to stay below the maximum towing capacity to ensure a safer and more comfortable towing experience. 

Which Subaru has a tow package?

Many Subaru models can be equipped with a towing package, with the Ascent offering the highest capacity (up to 5,000 lbs), followed by the Outback (2,700–3,500 lbs) and Forester/Crosstrek (1,500 lbs). The specific capacity varies by model and trim, with some high-performance or adventure-oriented trims like the Outback Wilderness or Forester Wilderness having higher capacities than base models. Towing packages typically include a hitch receiver and wiring harness, and some models may also include a transmission cooler.
 
Subaru models with towing packages

Model	Max Towing Capacity	Notes
Ascent	5,000 lbs	Available with a towing package and can tow larger campers, boats, or ATVs.
Outback	2,700–3,500 lbs	Capacity varies by engine and trim; 3,500 lbs is available on turbo/Wilderness models.
Forester	1,500–3,000 lbs	Base models typically have 1,500 lbs; the Wilderness trim can tow up to 3,000 lbs.
Crosstrek	1,500 lbs (base)	The Wilderness trim can tow up to 3,500 lbs.
Solterra	2,000–4,000 lbs	The electric SUV's capacity can vary by model year.
WRX	Not typically rated for towing	The WRX is not designed for towing and generally lacks a tow hitch option.

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What to know before towing

• Check capacity: Always check your specific model's and trim's manual to confirm the exact towing capacity. 
• Towing package: A towing package is often required for maximum capacity and includes a hitch receiver and wiring harness. 
• Trailer Stability Assist: Most Subaru SUVs have Trailer Stability Assist to provide a more stable and secure towing experience. 

What is the strongest SUV for towing?

The strongest SUVs for towing are the Jeep Wagoneer and the GMC Hummer EV SUV, both capable of towing up to 10,000 pounds. The Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia are also top contenders, with towing capacities of around 9,600 to 9,520 pounds, respectively.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the factors to consider when choosing a towing SUV: 1mKelley Blue BookYouTube · Sep 24, 2024
Top SUVs for towing

• Jeep Wagoneer: With a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, it is one of the strongest options available. 
• GMC Hummer EV SUV: This electric SUV also has a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 pounds with its base 2X dual-motor trim. 
• Ford Expedition: The Expedition can tow up to 9,600 pounds, and its towing capability can be maximized with the heavy-duty trailering package. 
• Toyota Sequoia: This SUV offers a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,520 pounds and features a hybrid powertrain. 
• Jeep Grand Wagoneer: A close competitor, the Grand Wagoneer has a towing capacity of around 9,810 pounds. 
• Dodge Durango: With a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds, it is another strong contender for heavy loads. 
• Nissan Armada: Capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds. 
• Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon: These GM SUVs have a maximum towing capacity of 8,400 pounds when properly equipped. 

Factors to consider

• Towing Package: For maximum towing capacity, you often need to purchase an optional heavy-duty trailering package, which includes features like a larger radiator and an integrated trailer brake controller. 
• Engine and Transmission: The engine's torque and the transmission's design play a crucial role in how smoothly and efficiently the vehicle can tow heavy loads. 
• Chassis: SUVs that are built on a truck-based frame (body-on-frame) are generally better for towing heavy trailers than those with a unibody construction. 

What Subaru will tow 5000 lbs?

2021 Subaru Ascent SUV
The 2021 Subaru Ascent SUV has a max towing capacity of 5000 lbs on selected trim levels when equipped with the available Class III trailer hitch.