SUVs have had a long slow burn in the American car market. However, these once rough and tumble machines have evolved and maybe even mutated into something very different from the SUVs of old like the Jeep CJ and the Land Rover Defender. SUVs are more car-like than ever before, but that doesn’t mean the segment has completely abandoned the “utility” part of its name. Here are the five SUVs with the best towing capacity for 2022. 

What does SUV stand for? 

SUV is short for “sport utility vehicle,” a name that once described the segment a little more closely to form than it doe today. The advent of the crossover SUV – a smaller SUV-like vehicle made to look like an SUV but with car-like properties and driving profile – forever changed the way we think about SUVs. These days SUVs must be comfortable and fancy first, then come 4WD (or AWD), strong towing abilities, and tougher suspension. 

While old-school SUV fans struggle with many of today’s SUVs, thankfully, there are still a handful of models that still can pull a trailer as their forebearers did. However, there is only one 2022 luxury SUV that made Forbes‘ list of SUVs with the best towing capacity.

5) 2022 Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevy Suburban got fully redesigned for the 2021 model year. The redesign gave this big beast even more interior room, better handling, and a super-efficient diesel powerplant, all of which carry over to the 2022 Suburban plus an updated transmission.

This new powerplant isn’t just efficient; it’s also strong. Most 2022 Chevrolet Suburban models can tow between 7,900-8,200 lbs earning it fifth place on the strongest SUVs list. 

The 2022 Chevy Suburban starts at $52,900. 

4) 2022 GMC Yukon 

The 2022 GMC Yukon can tow up to 8,400 lbs. The GMC Yukon also got a fresh redesign for 2021. This update resulted in a higher towing capacity for the Yukon. However, its average towing capacity across all models is slightly lower than its sister, the Chevy Tahoe, because the Yukon and Yukon XL – corporate cousin to the Chevy Suburban – are part of a single lineup.

Forbes mentions that the Yukon also offers piles of smart towing features and trailer assistance tech, and a burly diesel powerplant. 

The 2022 GMC Yukon starts a $52,100.

3) 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe 

The 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe has a max towing capacity of 8,400 lbs with the towing package option. Again, the 2021 Tahoe was redesigned to be taller, wider, and longer. The 2022 Chevy Tahoe has also adopted its line mates’ advanced trailer tech and features. 

GM dominates this best towing capacity list. GM is stepping up to the towing plate with some heavy hitters from the big Yukon to the slightly more approachable Tahoe.

The 2022 Chevy Tahoe starts at $50,200. 

2) 2022 Lincoln Navigator

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator is the second strongest SUV for towing capacity on the list, and it’s the only proper luxury SUV. Not only is the Lincoln Navigator a proper luxury SUV, but it is also one of the nicest SUVs on the road, period. 

The Navigator is Lincoln’s flagship model. As such, it is extraordinarily comfortable, stylish, and powerful. Aside from its many luxurious features, the 2022 Lincoln Navigator can tow up to 8,700 lbs. Even the longer wheelbase version can pull 8,100 pounds thanks to its twin-turbocharged V6. 

The 2022 Lincoln Navigator starts at $76,710. 

1) The 2022 Ford Expedition offers the best towing capacity of any SUV in 2022

Not only does the 2022 Ford Expedition have the best towing capacity of any other SUV on the market at 9,300 lbs, but it can also haul plenty of people and gear. Like many of the other SUVs on this list, the Ford Expedition is allowed plenty of trailer tech that makes towing easier and safer. 

Ford also gave the Expedition a little spruce for 2022, which included new styling and updated features. It even got its own off-road model, the Ford Expedition Timberline. 

The 2022 Ford Expedition starts at $68,150. 

Proper SUVs aren’t out of the game yet

The car market is changing quickly. We see more buyers opting for larger trucks and SUVs, yet many buyers are starving for more fuel-efficient vehicles due to gas prices. Thankfully, carmakers are starting to comply with these needs with more efficient diesel and hybrid powerplants. Not only are some bigger trucks and SUVs getting more fuel-efficient, but they are also getting more powerful and thus able to tow more. 

Even still, only one properly luxurious SUV made the top five best towing capacity SUVs. Towing with 2022 Lincoln Navigator might feel kind of like going hunting in a tuxedo, but the Navigator can handle it. All you have to do is fork over the dough.