Plenty of three-row SUVs claim towing capability, but pulling a trailer well takes more than a number on a spec sheet. The Toyota Grand Highlander, Kia Telluride, and Mazda CX-90 are three of the most capable family haulers for the job, and interestingly, all three top out at a 5,000-pound maximum. That means how each one moves the weight matters more than the rating alone.
Toyota
Torque, drivetrain layout, stability control, and available towing features separate a confident tow vehicle from one that merely meets the number. Here is how the Grand Highlander, Telluride, and CX-90 compare with a trailer hitched up, and which one is the best for towing.
Kia
Specs and pricing
| Specification | Toyota Grand Highlander | Kia Telluride | Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 5,000 lb | 5,000 lb (5,500 X-Pro) | 5,000 lb (3,500 plug-in) |
| Best tow engine | Hybrid Max, 362 hp | 3.8L V6, 291 hp | 3.3L turbo I6, up to 340 hp |
| Max torque | 400 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft |
| Drive | Front- or all-wheel drive | Front- or all-wheel drive | Standard all-wheel drive |
| Standout tow trait | Most torque, hybrid pull | Highest peak rating | Rear-biased balance |
| Starting price | About $42,900 | About $38,000 | About $40,300 |
A Toyota Grand Highlander and a Mazda CX-90 open within a few thousand dollars of each other, but their towing hardware sets them apart.
Mazda
How good is the Toyota Grand Highlander for towing?
Effortless pulling power is the Grand Highlander’s towing edge. All three of these SUVs are rated to tow 5,000 pounds, but the Toyota does it with the most muscle, especially in Hybrid Max form, where a turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motors combine for 362 horsepower and a class-leading 400 lb-ft of torque.
Toyota
That torque arrives instantly, making it the most confident of the trio at launching a loaded trailer and holding speed up grades, and the Hybrid Max comes standard with all-wheel drive for added traction. Trailer sway control and a dedicated tow mode round out the package. For sheer towing composure at 5,000 pounds, it sets the bar.
How good is the Kia Telluride for towing?
The highest number on the spec sheet belongs to the Telluride. Most Telluride models tow 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, but the rugged X-Pro trim raises that to 5,500 pounds, the highest peak rating of these three, and it adds a self-leveling rear suspension that helps with heavier tongue weights.
Kia
The catch is its 3.8-liter V6, which makes 291 horsepower but just 262 lb-ft of torque, the least here, so it has to work harder than the torque-rich Toyota to move the same load. It is a capable, well-rounded tow vehicle and the value pick of the group, but it pulls with less authority than its rating suggests.
How good is the Mazda CX-90 for towing?
Balance and refinement define the CX-90’s towing character. Mazda’s turbocharged inline-six makes up to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, second only to the Toyota, and its longitudinal, rear-biased all-wheel-drive layout gives it a planted, well-composed feel with a trailer attached.
Mazda
Every CX-90 comes with all-wheel drive as standard, and the inline-six models tow the full 5,000 pounds. The one caveat is the plug-in hybrid version, which drops to 3,500 pounds, so towing buyers should stick with the gas six. As a smooth, stable tow vehicle, it is excellent, just a step behind the Toyota on outright grunt.
So which one is the best for towing?
The Toyota Grand Highlander is the best for towing. While all three tow 5,000 pounds, the Grand Highlander does it with the most torque by a wide margin, 400 lb-ft in Hybrid Max form, giving it the strongest, most effortless pull, plus standard all-wheel drive on that powertrain and Toyota’s proven towing tech and reliability. For confidently hauling a 5,000-pound trailer, it is the most capable of the group.
The Kia Telluride is a very close second and actually claims the single highest rating, 5,500 pounds in X-Pro trim, though it moves that weight with the least torque, so it works harder. The Mazda CX-90 is the smoothest and most balanced tow vehicle here thanks to its torquey inline-six and rear-biased all-wheel drive, but its plug-in version tows less. On the best overall blend of capability, power, and composure, though, the Grand Highlander wins.
About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog