Best minivan towing capacity

ADDITIONAL MODEL INFORMATION

If you're interested in a new family vehicle that can also tow heavy loads, you've probably noticed that the number of tow-friendly SUVs is dwindling. Before you run out and buy a pickup, check out our latest list of today's best sport-utility vehicles that offer room for the whole family and enough towing capacity to pull a good-sized trailer.

Cadillac Escalade

Although you might not think of the luxurious Cadillac Escalade as a tow vehicle, it's certainly capable of exactly that. Rated to pull an impressive 8, 300 pounds in its top configuration, the Escalade offers a brawny 420-horsepower V8. It also features a strong chassis and available rear- or all-wheel drive - not to mention a truly opulent list of equipment that includes trizone automatic climate control, a remote starter, a power lift gate, a Bose surround sound system, heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The only drawback is that at $72, 500 with shipping, the Escalade is an expensive way to get on the road with your family and a trailer.

Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban

Like their more luxurious Cadillac Escalade cousin, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are capable of serious towing. So much so, in fact, that Chevrolet rates the vehicles' towing capacity at 8, 500 pounds when properly equipped. They're not just good tow vehicles - the Tahoe and Suburban also offer huge interiors with plenty of passenger room and a surprisingly large cargo area. No, they don't come standard with the same level of equipment as the Escalade does, but with a starting price of around $45, 500 with shipping, they're also far more affordable.

Dodge Durango

Although the Dodge Durango finds itself on the smaller end of the vehicles on our list, it's still easily capable of towing some heavy objects. Even with the standard 3.6-liter V6, the Durango can pull 6, 200 pounds, but we're most impressed with the SUV's 7, 400-lb towing capacity in V8 guise. We also like the Durango's reasonable pricing (it starts at just $31, 300 with shipping, or just under $40, 000 with the V8) and its long list of available luxury and safety goodies - a list that includes adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and a blind spot monitoring system.