Vehicle price and towing capacity do not necessarily rise together. Luxury SUVs may offer substantially more technology, performance, refinement and premium materials, but those qualities do not automatically give them greater trailer ratings.
Purpose-built pickups frequently use stronger frames, towing-oriented axle ratios, larger cooling systems, integrated trailer-brake hardware and powertrains calibrated for sustained operation under heavy loads. As a result, an affordable truck can sometimes tow more than a luxury vehicle costing two, three or even four times as much.
The comparisons below use manufacturers’ published starting prices and maximum towing ratings. An important qualification is that a truck’s starting MSRP does not necessarily purchase the configuration capable of its headline maximum.
Maximum towing figures generally require a particular engine, drivetrain, cab, bed, axle ratio and towing package. Passengers, cargo, accessories and trailer tongue weight can reduce real-world capacity. Buyers should always check the certification label and towing guide for the exact vehicle rather than relying solely on model-wide advertising figures.
1. 2026 Ford Maverick XL
- Starting MSRP: $28,145
- Maximum towing: 4,000 pounds
- Engine for maximum towing: 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline-four
- Horsepower: 250 hp
- Torque: 277 lb-ft
- Length: 199.8 inches
- Width: 72.6 inches, excluding mirrors
The compact Ford Maverick provides one of the clearest examples of towing value. With available all-wheel drive and the 4K Tow Package, Ford publishes a maximum capacity of 4,000 pounds.
The package adds equipment such as an upgraded cooling system, a Class III receiver, trailer wiring and a trailer-brake controller. A standard Maverick is rated for only 2,000 pounds, so buyers must confirm that the necessary drivetrain and towing package are installed.
For comparison, the 2026 Cadillac LYRIQ-V starts at $79,990 including destination and carries a published trailering capacity of 3,500 pounds. Its price is approximately 2.84 times the Maverick XL’s starting MSRP, yet the Ford’s maximum rating is 500 pounds higher.
The Cadillac’s higher price purchases a 615-hp dual-motor electric powertrain, luxury appointments and high-performance V-Series engineering rather than superior towing capacity.
The Maverick is not intended for extremely heavy trailers, but its 4,000-pound ceiling can accommodate certain compact campers, utility trailers, personal-watercraft trailers and smaller boats.
Payload remains critical because passengers, bed cargo and hitch weight all count against the truck’s carrying capacity. Nevertheless, a correctly configured Maverick delivers a higher published tow rating than a luxury electric SUV costing nearly three times as much.
2. 2026 Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT
- Starting MSRP: $41,350
- Maximum towing: 5,000 pounds
- Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged GDI/MPI inline-four
- Horsepower: 281 hp
- Torque: 311 lb-ft
- Length: 195.9 inches
- Width: 75.0 inches, excluding mirrors
The Hyundai Santa Cruz XRT combines the dimensions and road manners of a crossover with a small open cargo bed. Its turbocharged engine and standard HTRAC all-wheel drive provide considerably more towing capability than its compact proportions suggest.
Hyundai publishes a 5,000-pound maximum for the XRT and Limited trims when the necessary aftermarket towing equipment is installed. Other Santa Cruz configurations receive lower ratings, so the headline figure does not apply throughout the lineup.
A useful comparison is the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC SUV. Mercedes published a $125,950 base MSRP and a 3,500-pound maximum towing rating for this luxury electric SUV. That price is approximately 3.05 times the Santa Cruz XRT’s starting MSRP, while the Hyundai can tow 1,500 pounds more, a capacity advantage of nearly 43 percent.
The EQS offers electric performance, a highly refined cabin and advanced luxury technology, but its price and power do not overcome the Hyundai’s higher manufacturer-certified trailer limit. The Santa Cruz benefits from an engine, cooling system and chassis combination engineered to handle medium-size recreational trailers.
Its 5,000-pound rating can cover many boats, utility trailers and lightweight travel trailers, provided their actual loaded weight remains below the limit. Water, propane, batteries, equipment and personal cargo can make a trailer substantially heavier than its published dry weight.
The Hyundai still needs careful loading and adequate trailer brakes, but it demonstrates that useful towing ability does not require a full-size pickup or a six-figure purchase price.
3. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado
- Starting MSRP: $32,400
- Maximum towing: 7,700 pounds
- Engine: 2.7-liter TurboMax turbocharged inline-four
- Horsepower: 310 hp
- Torque: 430 lb-ft
- Length: 213.02 inches
- Width: 74.91 inches, excluding mirrors
Chevrolet equips every 2026 Colorado with its high-torque 2.7-liter TurboMax engine. Despite using only four cylinders, the engine produces 430 lb-ft of torque, giving the midsize pickup a maximum published towing capacity of 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. Chevrolet also offers an integrated trailering application, hitch guidance and multiple camera views, although feature availability varies by trim and package.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz G 550 provides an especially dramatic price comparison. Mercedes lists the G 550 at $153,900 with a 7,000-pound towing capacity. Its starting price is exactly 4.75 times the Colorado’s, yet the Chevrolet can tow 700 pounds more.
The G 550 produces 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft from its turbocharged inline-six, but its luxury construction, sophisticated four-wheel-drive system and premium interior account for much of the price difference.
The Colorado’s advantage is only 10 percent in percentage terms, but 700 pounds can become important after a trailer is loaded with fuel, water, tools or recreational equipment. The comparison also illustrates why horsepower alone cannot predict towing capability. The Colorado has less horsepower than the Mercedes, but it produces more torque and is certified for the higher trailer weight.
Reaching 7,700 pounds still requires the correct equipment, and the truck’s available payload may be exceeded before its maximum trailer rating when carrying several passengers or heavy cargo. Properly configured and loaded, however, the Colorado out-tows one of the world’s most expensive production SUVs while starting at less than one-quarter of its price.
4. 2026 Nissan Frontier
- Starting MSRP: $32,150
- Maximum towing: 7,150 pounds
- Engine: 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6
- Horsepower: 310 hp
- Torque: 281 lb-ft
- Length: 210.2–224.1 inches, depending on cab and bed
- Width: 73.0–74.7 inches, excluding mirrors
The Nissan Frontier follows a more traditional midsize-truck formula than the turbocharged Colorado. Every model receives a 3.8-liter V6 and nine-speed automatic transmission, while a fully boxed ladder frame supports its work and towing credentials.
Nissan publishes a model-wide maximum of 7,150 pounds, although individual configurations are rated differently. For example, some Crew Cab versions are limited to between approximately 6,300 and 7,040 pounds.
The 2027 Lucid Gravity Grand Touring starts at $98,900 and carries a maximum towing rating of 6,000 pounds. That makes the Lucid approximately 3.08 times as expensive as the entry-level Frontier, while the Nissan’s published model maximum is 1,150 pounds higher. Lucid’s SUV delivers up to 828 horsepower, three-row seating and as much as 450 miles of estimated range, but those attributes do not translate into a higher trailer limit.
The Frontier’s towing advantage is approximately 19 percent relative to the Gravity’s capacity. That extra margin could be useful for a loaded boat, camper or vehicle trailer, but owners must identify the rating for their exact cab, drivetrain and bed configuration.
The comparison is not intended to suggest that the Nissan matches the Lucid in acceleration, refinement or electric technology. It shows that truck-focused engineering can produce greater towing capability at a much lower entry price. Buyers should still calculate loaded trailer weight, hitch weight, payload and gross combined weight rather than choosing a trailer based solely on the Frontier’s highest advertised number.
5. 2026 Toyota Tundra
- Starting MSRP: $41,260
- Maximum towing: 12,000 pounds
- Maximum-towing engine: 3.4-liter i-FORCE twin-turbocharged V6
- Horsepower: 389 hp
- Torque: 479 lb-ft
- Length: 233.6–252.5 inches, depending on cab and bed
- Width: 80.2 inches, excluding mirrors
Toyota’s full-size Tundra uses a fully boxed frame and a coil-spring multilink rear suspension rather than the leaf springs traditionally fitted to many pickups. Its non-hybrid i-FORCE twin-turbo V6 produces 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft, while Toyota publishes a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds.
The available i-FORCE MAX hybrid produces a stronger 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft, but maximum towing ratings still depend on the complete truck configuration rather than output alone.
The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 starts at $151,050 and is rated to tow 7,700 pounds. Its price is approximately 3.66 times the Tundra’s starting MSRP, yet the Toyota offers 4,300 pounds more maximum capacity. That represents nearly 56 percent more towing ability than the Mercedes rating.
The AMG is far more powerful, producing 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft from its electrified biturbo V8. Its engineering priorities, however, include rapid acceleration, luxury, seven-passenger accommodation and performance-oriented handling. The Tundra is designed more directly around pickup work, payload management and sustained trailering.
A 12,000-pound rating puts properly configured Tundras within reach of substantial travel trailers, large boats and equipment trailers. Payload can still be the controlling figure because a trailer’s tongue weight may place well over 1,000 pounds on the truck before passengers and bed cargo are counted. Even with that limitation, the Toyota supplies substantially more trailering headroom than an AMG SUV costing over three and a half times as much.
6. 2026 Ford F-150 XL
- Starting MSRP: $39,585
- Maximum towing: 13,500 pounds
- Maximum-towing engine: 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6
- Horsepower: 400 hp
- Torque: 500 lb-ft
- Length: Approximately 209.4–243.5 inches, depending on cab and bed
- Width: 79.9 inches, excluding mirrors
The Ford F-150 remains one of the strongest towing choices in the half-ton pickup category. Ford publishes a 13,500-pound maximum when the truck is configured with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, required towing equipment and an appropriate axle ratio.
The available engine produces 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft, providing substantial low-speed pulling force without requiring a V8. Other engines, body configurations, and drivetrains have lower limits.
The 2026 Cadillac Escalade starts at $91,100 and can tow up to 8,100 pounds when properly equipped with rear-wheel drive. Its starting price is approximately 2.30 times the F-150 XL’s MSRP, yet the Ford’s maximum is 5,400 pounds higher. In percentage terms, the F-150 offers about 67 percent more capacity than the Cadillac’s highest published rating.
The Escalade is still an able luxury tow vehicle. Its 6.2-liter V8 produces 420 horsepower, and its cabin can carry passengers in considerably greater comfort than a basic work-truck interior. Its structure and suspension must balance trailering with luxury-SUV ride quality and passenger use, while the F-150 can be configured more specifically for heavy towing.
A maximum-towing F-150 XL will cost more than the base MSRP used in the comparison, making that distinction essential. Even so, the price gap remains substantial. Owners must also monitor payload because passengers, cargo, and tongue weight reduce available capacity. Properly specified, the Ford can tow more than five thousand additional pounds compared with an Escalade that starts at more than twice the price.
7. 2026 Ram 1500
- Starting MSRP: $42,025
- Maximum towing: 11,610 pounds
- Maximum-towing engine: Standard-output 3.0-liter Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six
- Horsepower: 420 hp
- Torque: 469 lb-ft
- Length: 228.4–241.3 inches, depending on cab and bed
- Width: 81.2 inches, excluding mirrors
Ram’s standard-output Hurricane engine combines twin turbochargers with an inline-six layout to produce 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft. In its optimum configuration, the 2026 Ram 1500 receives a maximum published towing capacity of 11,610 pounds. Ram also offers a higher-output 540-hp Hurricane, a Pentastar V6 and the returning 5.7-liter Hemi V8, but the most powerful engine does not automatically deliver the highest towing number.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 starts at $116,150 and carries a 7,700-pound towing capacity. It costs approximately 2.76 times as much as the entry-level Ram, while the pickup’s maximum rating is 3,910 pounds higher. That gives the Ram roughly 51 percent more towing capacity based on the manufacturers’ headline figures.
The GLS 580 uses an electrified biturbo V8 and is designed as a premium three-row family vehicle. Its additional cost pays for sophisticated suspension, luxury materials, passenger space and Mercedes technology rather than a pickup-level trailer rating.
The Ram’s 11,610-pound capability can support large recreational trailers and equipment, but the exact truck must be checked carefully. Four-wheel drive, higher trims, additional equipment and larger cabs can increase curb weight and reduce payload or towing capacity. A heavy trailer can also place more than 1,000 pounds of tongue weight on the rear axle.
Although the maximum-towing Ram will cost more than the advertised entry model, it still delivers substantially greater certified towing ability than a luxury SUV whose starting price is nearly three times higher.
8. 2026 Chevrolet Silverado HD
- Starting MSRP: $45,900
- Maximum towing: 36,000 pounds
- Maximum-towing engine: 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel V8
- Horsepower: 470 hp
- Torque: 975 lb-ft
- Length: 235.5–266.0 inches, depending on cab and bed
- Width: 105.2 inches including mirrors
The Chevrolet Silverado HD creates the largest towing gap in this ranking. Equipped with the Duramax turbo-diesel V8, Allison ten-speed automatic transmission and the correct 3500 HD dual-rear-wheel configuration, Chevrolet publishes a maximum trailering capacity of 36,000 pounds.
Every diesel dually can tow more than 30,000 pounds, although the complete 36,000-pound figure is limited to a specialized configuration rather than the base 2500 HD represented by the starting MSRP.
The 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ starts at $127,405 and can tow up to 8,000 pounds. Its starting price is approximately 2.78 times the Silverado HD’s advertised base price, yet Chevrolet’s maximum rating is 28,000 pounds higher. The Silverado can therefore tow 4.5 times the Cadillac’s published limit.
Cadillac’s electric SUV is hardly lacking in output. With Velocity Max engaged, it can produce up to 750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft. The comparison demonstrates that horsepower and torque figures alone do not establish towing capacity. The Silverado HD adds a heavy-duty frame, commercial-grade axles, dual rear wheels, diesel cooling, high-capacity brakes and gooseneck or fifth-wheel compatibility.
A 36,000-pound trailer demands more than just a powerful vehicle. It requires the correct hitch equipment, proper weight management, and in many areas may involve additional permits, licensing, or regulatory requirements.
For most recreational users, that level of towing capacity is far beyond what is necessary. However, this comparison highlights an important point. A purpose-built heavy-duty pickup can deliver towing performance that far exceeds a luxury vehicle, even when that luxury model carries a price tag close to three times higher.
Also read: 10 Trucks That Shed $15,000 in Their First Two Years
