Mid Range Petrol SUV that Tows OK?

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MikeAqua

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#324286 24-Mar-2026 11:20

Empty nest. We've downsized the house. The boat is next. Then it will be time to downsize the SUV. We'll be replacing a 3.2L Pajero and we're looking for an SUV that will tow a 5 or 5.5m boat (probably a Surtees workmate) safely. The boat will be 1,000 - 1,200kg dry on trailer. Suggestions appreciated

Must have: Ample headroom (I'm 187cm tall), Towbar, 1,500kg towing capacity, AWD, petrol engine, adaptive cruise control, backing camera, A/C, Android Auto, Apple Car Play, folding rear seats

Nice to have: PHEV with 50+ kms of EV range, AWD is selectable, all-round cameras, blind spot/rear cross monitoring, proper spare tyre (can't tow with a space saver.).

Must not have: BEV, Chinese or European marquee, CVT (we're towing), sunroof (unless there is still ample headroom).

Mike

MikeB4

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#3473080 24-Mar-2026 11:41

Subaru Outback might be good for your needs

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

MikeAqua

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#3473083 24-Mar-2026 11:48

MikeB4:

Subaru Outback might be good for your needs

CVT, unfortunately. Nice looking vehicle and 2,000kg capacity.

Mike

MikeB4

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#3473087 24-Mar-2026 11:56

MikeAqua:

CVT, unfortunately. Nice looking vehicle and 2,000kg capacity.

Is it? did not realise that. Don't want to retrieve on a wet green ramp with one of those.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

MikeB4

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#3473090 24-Mar-2026 12:04

SUVs without CVTs are light on the ground. There are Mazdas, Non Hybrid RAV 4 (rare now) some Hyundai and Kia. Apparantly the Suzuki Ignis has a manual trans but your boat would tow that cough SUV. Then you are into Chinese such as Haval Tank.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Senecio

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#3473091 24-Mar-2026 12:06

Ford Escape could be an option?

Conventional torque converter auto, avalable as both a standard hybrid or a PHEV. Has the breaked towing capacity that you need and all the active safety features that you mentioned.

Scott3

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#3473107 24-Mar-2026 13:09

Mazda CX5 would be the first one to take for a test drive. Current version has a 1800 kg tow rating, and 150 kg Max towbar downforce rating on the non turbo versions. Turbo version up's the tow rating to 2000 kg. AWD touring ticks everything on your requirements list (6 speed conventional auto etc).

On your Wishlist. No PHEV, AWD is automated, 360 Camera only on top spec, which also has sun roof, Every trim has blind spot monitoring, Space saver spare.

If you are shopping used, note a few years back these got a 80kg max towbar downforce limit. Workable, but you need to set up carefully, and be mindfull of your top speed.

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On CVT's, note that the eCVT in Toyota synergy drive hybrids has no friction belt, so doesn't suffer from any of the durability issues of typical CVT's. (But does come with some other qwerks like dramatic front bias in the AWD system).

This could open up the likes of Toyota Rav4 (1500 kg rating), Lexus NX etc. Rav4 has a PHEV version.

Some conventional CVT's do have good reputations, but fair enough if you don't want to touch them at all. I have towed similar weight to what you are looking at with a Subaru outback and it did quite well.

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Outlander PHEV could be worth a look too. 1600 kg tow rating.

Mazda CX60 PHEV has a 2500 kg rating. Don't know much about it.

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With regards to trailer weights, Be aware that options & load add up fast. I know of a Surtees that came in around 300kg above their advertised BMT dry weight. Not Surtees fault. It's just that a bunch of options (biggest engine option, second battery, captive drum anchor winch, tandom axle trailer), 200L of fuel, and a few accessories / personal effects add up fast. That boat was a 6.2m and the typical towing weight was around 1800kg. With the smaller size you are looking at, staying under 1500kg should be attainable.

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Goosey

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#3473109 24-Mar-2026 13:14

Nissan Xtrail?

pretty sure it’s got your requirements sorted?

roomy too…

MikeAqua

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#3473169 24-Mar-2026 15:16

Scott3:

Mazda CX5 would be the first one to take for a test drive. Current version has a 1800 kg tow rating, and 150 kg Max towbar downforce rating on the non turbo versions. Turbo version up's the tow rating to 2000 kg. AWD touring ticks everything on your requirements list (6 speed conventional auto etc).

On your Wishlist. No PHEV, AWD is automated, 360 Camera only on top spec, which also has sun roof, Every trim has blind spot monitoring, Space saver spare.

If you are shopping used, note a few years back these got a 80kg max towbar downforce limit. Workable, but you need to set up carefully, and be mindfull of your top speed.

--------

On CVT's, note that the eCVT in Toyota synergy drive hybrids has no friction belt, so doesn't suffer from any of the durability issues of typical CVT's. (But does come with some other qwerks like dramatic front bias in the AWD system).

This could open up the likes of Toyota Rav4 (1500 kg rating), Lexus NX etc. Rav4 has a PHEV version.

Some conventional CVT's do have good reputations, but fair enough if you don't want to touch them at all. I have towed similar weight to what you are looking at with a Subaru outback and it did quite well.

----

Outlander PHEV could be worth a look too. 1600 kg tow rating.

Mazda CX60 PHEV has a 2500 kg rating. Don't know much about it.

----------
With regards to trailer weights, Be aware that options & load add up fast. I know of a Surtees that came in around 300kg above their advertised BMT dry weight. Not Surtees fault. It's just that a bunch of options (biggest engine option, second battery, captive drum anchor winch, tandom axle trailer), 200L of fuel, and a few accessories / personal effects add up fast. That boat was a 6.2m and the typical towing weight was around 1800kg. With the smaller size you are looking at, staying under 1500kg should be attainable.

Thanks, I also stumbled across the Mazda CX60 PHEV which looks nice.

Mike

MikeB4

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#3473180 24-Mar-2026 15:51

Goosey:

Nissan Xtrail?

pretty sure it’s got your requirements sorted?

roomy too…

Nissan Xtrail has a CVT possibly the worst CVT on the market

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

Handle9

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#3473296 24-Mar-2026 19:31

When I was looking at this recently the Sorrento/Santa Fe platform seemed to be the leader in the clubhouse. We were leaning towards the diesel just for overall simplicity.

scuwp

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#3473351 25-Mar-2026 08:53

We love our diesel Kia Sportage, unsure if they still make a diesel variant, so might have to be late model/used. 8 speed auto, smoothest car I have ever driven, heaps of grunt, spacious, and all the bells and whistles. Never owned a diesel before, wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Tow rating was 1800kg from memory (please check).

Otherwise you are looking at some kind of ute I guess, Ford Ranger etc.

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MikeAqua

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#3473390 25-Mar-2026 10:29

scuwp:

Otherwise you are looking at some kind of ute I guess, Ford Ranger etc.

Unless someone does a mid-sized ute, I think we'd keep the Paj. It has slightly smaller footprint, easier to park and a better turning circle.

We're trying to avoid diesel, more specifically the problems and risks associated with DPFs.

Mike