10 Best Cars in Australia for Towing Caravans 2024

Thankfully, in 2024, there’s no shortage of powerful workhorses that offer immense towing figures, off-road driving abilities and a comfortable, practical interior that makes a world of difference on a long road trip.

Join us as we look at the best cars on sale here in Australia for towing caravans, boats and whatever else you can throw at them.

Nissan Patrol

When it comes to towing over long distances, the Nissan Patrol sits ready for action with its tough platform, intoxicating V8 power and outstanding comfort levels on a wide range of roads.

With flagship towing figures and a clever hydraulic body motion control suspension package that keeps things smooth and stable while towing, the Nissan Patrol is among the top of its class for sheer towing power.

• Engine: 5.6-litre V8 petrol 

• Power & Torque: 298kW/560Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,500kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 7,000kg

• Fuel Economy: 14.4L/100km

• Seats: 7 - 8 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Expired

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Isuzu MU-X

When you’re out on the road and visiting campsites around Australia, you’ll notice more than a few Isuzu MU-X’s lurking around - and there’s good reason for it.

As a value proposition, it’s hard to beat what’s on offer in the latest MU-X range which combines go-anywhere durability, turbo-diesel torque and hefty towing figures that make it one of the best towing packages for those on a budget.

• Engine: 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 140kW / 450Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 2,800kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 5,900kg

• Fuel Economy: 8.3L/100km

• Seats: 7

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Six-year/150,000-kilometre

Toyota LandCruiser 300

Sitting as Toyota’s flagship 4x4, the LandCruiser 300 is arguably the best towing package from the company that doesn’t skimp on practicality, features and of course, off-road and towing power.

With 700Nm of torque to help out with towing, the LandCruiser 300 is unphased by large cargo and feels great on the road, while the twin-turbo V6 keeps fuel use relatively low for the segment, even while towing.

• Engine: 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 

• Power & Torque: 227kW/700Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,280kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 6,750kg

• Fuel Economy: 8.9L/100km

• Seats: 5 - 7 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Ford Everest

For families looking to hit the Great Outdoors for a weekend away or a cross-country trip around Australia, the Ford Everest is a fantastic all-rounder package that is hard to fault.

With a choice of two turbo-diesel engines and flagship towing figures of 3,500kg across the range, the Everest is one of the best large SUVs for towing a caravan, while it’s family-friendly nature makes it a truly versatile 4x4s for Aussies.

• Engine: 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder & 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 154 - 184kW / 500 - 600Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,150kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 6,250kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.1 - 8.5L/100km

• Seats: 5 - 7 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Volkswagen Touareg R

If you’re looking for a comfortable, premium and powerful SUV for towing a caravan that offers the leading fuel economy figures in the segment, look no further than the latest Touareg R.

Thanks to a clever plug-in hybrid V6 powertrain, you’ve got access to 700Nm of torque which is enough to tow up to 3,500kg, while the added electrical assistance and 14kWh battery pack offers outstanding fuel efficiency for a large towing powerhouse.

• Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 + electric motor PHEV 

• Power & Torque: 340kW / 700Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: N/A

• Gross Combination Mass: N/A 

• Fuel Economy: 3.3L/100km

• Seats: 5

• ANCAP Safety Rating: N/A

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre (eight-year for battery)

Chevrolet Silverado

While it’s not the most subtle or affordable vehicle on the road, there’s no denying the sheer amount of grunt on offer in the Chevrolet Silverado that makes it a great option for towing the largest caravans on the market.

With a monstrous 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 lurking beneath the bonnet, the Chevrolet Silverado offers up to 4,500kg of towing power for boats and caravans, bettering a number of its rivals by a 1,000kg and asserting itself as one of the most powerful towing options for Aussies.

• Engine: 6.2-litre V8 petrol 

• Power & Torque: 313kW / 624Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 4,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,300kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 7,160kg

• Fuel Economy: 12.2L/100km

• Seats: 5

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Three-year/100,000-kilometre

RAM 3500

In a similar vein, the RAM 3500 sits as the biggest, boldest option in RAM’s XL-sized pick-up truck range, with the All-American ute providing itself an absolute monster when it comes time to tow a boat or caravan.

With a massive 6.7-litre turbo-diesel, the RAM 3500 offers braked towing figures up to 4,500kg and a barely believable combination mass of 12,837kg which makes it one of the most competent workhorses that is completely unphased by the task of towing a large caravan.

• Engine: 6.7-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel

• Power & Torque: 276kW / 1,152Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 4,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 5,352kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 12,837kg

• Fuel Economy: 13.8L/100km

• Seats: Six 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Unrated

• Warranty: Three-year/100,000-kilometre

Mitsubishi Triton

There’s a brand-new Mitsubishi Triton in town, and the company has given it some key upgrades that make it the best we’ve seen yet, particularly when it comes to towing power.

Thanks to an updated 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine, the Triton range offers 3,500kg of braked towing power across the lineup, 4x4 variants for those looking to hit some off-road trails and impressive fuel economy that won’t break the bank on a long-distance tour around Australia.

• Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel 

• Power & Torque: 150kW / 470Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,200kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 6,250kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.7L/100km

• Seats: Five

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Ten-year/200,000-kilometre (when serviced within network)

Ford Ranger

It’s impossible to deny just how impressive and versatile the Ford Ranger lineup is for a wide range of Australian buyers.

As a workhorse it’s outstanding, as an off-roader it’s incredibly confident, as a family package it’s comfortable and practical, and as a towing package, the Ranger is sure-footed enough to lug around 3,500kg in every member of the range.

Combine that with the Ranger’s fuel-efficient turbo-diesel powerplant and its exceptionally tough platform and you’ve got yourself one of the best vehicles for a long-distance tour around Australia with a caravan in tow.

• Engine: 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder & 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel

• Power & Torque: 154 - 184kW / 500 - 600Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,50kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,350kg

• Gross Combination Mass: 6,400kg

• Fuel Economy: 7.2 - 8.4L/100km

• Seats: Five

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

Land Rover Defender 110

Our list wraps up with the iconic Land Rover Defender 110, a platform known for its go-anywhere abilities that have recently become more family-friendly and premium inside than ever before.

With a wide range of engine options, the Defender with a six-cylinder or supercharged V8 offer hugely impressive power figures and comfortable driving while challenging its 3,500kg braked towing capacity, making for a lovely long-distance tourer.

• Engine: Turbocharged six-cylinder, supercharged V8 

• Power & Torque: 294 - 368kW / 550 - 625Nm

• Braked Towing Capacity: 3,500kg

• Gross Vehicle Mass: 3,165

• Gross Combination Mass: 6,665kg

• Fuel Economy: 9.9 - 12.7L/100km

• Seats: 7 

• ANCAP Safety Rating: Five-star

• Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

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If you’re looking to upgrade to a tough off-roader or a comfortable towing powerhouse, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.