Author Topic: Compact 4cl SUV with towing capabilities (Read 2269 times)

uber · « **on:** April 24, 2011, 09:16:32 pm »

FIRST POST so be kind!

I'm looking to downsize from a full size SUV to a more fuel efficient option. I drive 80km daily. But I really would like a smaller SUV that can still tow a large U-haul without destroying it!

What are the options?

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2011, 09:38:16 pm »

Like this guy?:

Gross vehicle weight is 2800lbs. That's higher than most if not all of the 4 cylinder CUVs are rated to tow. The AWD Rav4 is good for 1500lbs in 4 cylinder form, but 3500lbs with the AWD V6. The same for the Escape and Mitsubishi Outlander

My Outback can tow up to 2700lbs with trailer brakes, but I don't think I'd really want to.

carcrazy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2011, 09:59:54 pm »

I believe virtually all I4 SUVs are rated up to 1500 lbs. I think the Forester is rated for up to 2500 lbs when properly equipped.
The V6 versions of those small SUVs (RAV4, Outlander V6) are rated for 3500 lbs.

EV Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2011, 10:15:21 pm »

I don't think I4 engine is a good idea if you need to tow something rather large. Of course you can get a turbo Forester or Sportage but they maybe just too light to feel secure on the road.
A few good alternatives would be a V6 Sorento and a Ford Edge. They both get just over 7L/100km (NRC)

uber · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:09:37 pm »

Thanks for the input guys... it's with a heavy heart that I have to even think about making the call... I'll have a look at the Forester in more detail...but it's soooo fugly! The Sorrento looks great....but it's a KIA....I guess old prejudices are difficult to get out of the system....I had a friend who actually left his KIA outside the dealership with a note on it telling them to take the p.o.s. back! Are there any V6 Hybrid options? I wish they did an Escape diesel or something....

I suppose you can't ave everything without paying for it and there is always a trade-off for fuel economy.... but $95 to $100 a tank is a bit rich for my blood....

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:28:38 pm »

Quote from: uber on April 24, 2011, 11:09:37 pm

Thanks for the input guys... it's with a heavy heart that I have to even think about making the call... I'll have a look at the Forester in more detail...but it's soooo fugly! The Sorrento looks great....but it's a KIA....I guess old prejudices are difficult to get out of the system....I had a friend who actually left his KIA outside the dealership with a note on it telling them to take the p.o.s. back! Are there any V6 Hybrid options? I wish they did an Escape diesel or something....

I suppose you can't ave everything without paying for it and there is always a trade-off for fuel economy.... but $95 to $100 a tank is a bit rich for my blood....

There is the Escape Hybrid which, believe it or not, has a 3500lb tow rating! I had to check, I thought it was 1500lbs like the rest of the 4 cylinders.

http://www.ford.com/suvs/escape/specifications/towing/

Edit: I think that chart may be wrong. Other places show a 1000lb tow rating for the hybrid.

Edit redux: Yup no towing with the Hybrid at all. Never mind!

Man I'm not on my game today!

EPA numbers for the V6 AWD and Escape Hybrid:

uber · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:43:19 pm »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on April 24, 2011, 11:28:38 pm

Quote from: uber on April 24, 2011, 11:09:37 pm
Thanks for the input guys... it's with a heavy heart that I have to even think about making the call... I'll have a look at the Forester in more detail...but it's soooo fugly! The Sorrento looks great....but it's a KIA....I guess old prejudices are difficult to get out of the system....I had a friend who actually left his KIA outside the dealership with a note on it telling them to take the p.o.s. back! Are there any V6 Hybrid options? I wish they did an Escape diesel or something....

I suppose you can't ave everything without paying for it and there is always a trade-off for fuel economy.... but $95 to $100 a tank is a bit rich for my blood....

There is the Escape Hybrid which, believe it or not, has a 3500lb tow rating! I had to check, I thought it was 1500lbs like the rest of the 4 cylinders.

[newbs can't post links - even quoting others]

Edit: I think that chart may be wrong. Other places show a 1000lb tow rating for the hybrid.

Edit redux: Yup no towing with the Hybrid at all. Never mind!

Man I'm not on my game today!

Darn.... you got me all worked up there!.....appreciate your efforts mate!

Flinter · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2011, 11:54:37 pm »

How about the Suzuki Grand Vitara? It's rated to tow up to 3000lbs.

EPA Fuel Economy (L/100km)
12.4 City, 10.2 Hwy, 11.8 Combined

NRC Fuel Economy (L/100km)
11.2 City, 8.6 Hwy

uber · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2011, 12:23:22 am »

Quote from: Flinter on April 24, 2011, 11:54:37 pm

How about the Suzuki Grand Vitara? It's rated to tow up to 3000lbs.

EPA Fuel Economy (L/100km)
12.4 City, 10.2 Hwy, 11.8 Combined

NRC Fuel Economy (L/100km)
11.2 City, 8.6 Hwy

good call.... best in class by the look of it.... I have always discounted Suzuki, irrationally.... I will have a look at one... and the Forester...

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2011, 02:06:46 am »

Quote from: uber on April 25, 2011, 12:23:22 am

Quote from: Flinter on April 24, 2011, 11:54:37 pm
How about the Suzuki Grand Vitara? It's rated to tow up to 3000lbs.

EPA Fuel Economy (L/100km)
12.4 City, 10.2 Hwy, 11.8 Combined

NRC Fuel Economy (L/100km)
11.2 City, 8.6 Hwy

good call.... best in class by the look of it.... I have always discounted Suzuki, irrationally.... I will have a look at one... and the Forester...

Those numbers I posted above are for the V6 versions of the RAV4, Outlander and Escape. They all have a lot more HP than the 2.4L GV, but have similar fuel economy.

sailor723 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 25, 2011, 06:23:54 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on April 24, 2011, 09:38:16 pm

Like this guy?:

Gross vehicle weight is 2800lbs. That's higher than most if not all of the 4 cylinder CUVs are rated to tow. The AWD Rav4 is good for 1500lbs in 4 cylinder form, but 3500lbs with the AWD V6. The same for the Escape and Mitsubishi Outlander

My Outback can tow up to 2700lbs with trailer brakes, but I don't think I'd really want to.

Uhaul shows the GVW as being 4400 lbs for their biggest (6x12) cargo trailer. You're not towing that with a compact CUV. Sorry,but it's pretty hard to get around the laws of physics.

http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/EquipmentDetail.aspx?model=RV

safristi · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2011, 07:19:31 am »

UBER just how big is yer LUNCH BUCKET.?........................ U-HAUL U_PAY cobber..................

Flinter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2011, 10:16:21 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on April 25, 2011, 02:06:46 am

Quote from: uber on April 25, 2011, 12:23:22 am
Quote from: Flinter on April 24, 2011, 11:54:37 pm
How about the Suzuki Grand Vitara? It's rated to tow up to 3000lbs.

EPA Fuel Economy (L/100km)
12.4 City, 10.2 Hwy, 11.8 Combined

NRC Fuel Economy (L/100km)
11.2 City, 8.6 Hwy

good call.... best in class by the look of it.... I have always discounted Suzuki, irrationally.... I will have a look at one... and the Forester...

Those numbers I posted above are for the V6 versions of the RAV4, Outlander and Escape. They all have a lot more HP than the 2.4L GV, but have similar fuel economy.

Apologies, missed that you were quoting numbers for the V6 versions of the RAV4, Outlander and Escape. Given the fuel economy numbers and the increased towing capacities (3500lbs) of the V6 models, the Suzuki doesn't make alot of sense. That is unless OP is looking for something that's a little more at home offroading.

When I suggested it, I had also expected the Suzuki to be a much cheaper than the V6 competition but that does not appear to be the case. Can't imagine Suzuki is moving alot of these. $:-\$

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2011, 11:06:47 am »

Quote from: sailor723 on April 25, 2011, 06:23:54 am

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on April 24, 2011, 09:38:16 pm
Like this guy?:

Gross vehicle weight is 2800lbs. That's higher than most if not all of the 4 cylinder CUVs are rated to tow. The AWD Rav4 is good for 1500lbs in 4 cylinder form, but 3500lbs with the AWD V6. The same for the Escape and Mitsubishi Outlander

My Outback can tow up to 2700lbs with trailer brakes, but I don't think I'd really want to.

Uhaul shows the GVW as being 4400 lbs for their biggest (6x12) cargo trailer. You're not towing that with a compact CUV. Sorry,but it's pretty hard to get around the laws of physics.

http://www.uhaul.com/Reservations/EquipmentDetail.aspx?model=RV

Yeah, the one I posted was the 5x10, which has a GVWR of 2800lbs.

safristi · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2011, 11:09:35 am »

WTF ya HAULIN.....illegal IGGY SUPPORTERS

airbalancer · « **Reply #15 on:** April 25, 2011, 11:35:31 am »

Have you look at a Santa Fe
907kg with 4cyl with towing brakes

1587kg with 6 cyl with towing brakes

aaronk · « **Reply #16 on:** April 25, 2011, 02:46:20 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on April 25, 2011, 11:35:31 am

Have you look at a Santa Fe
907kg with 4cyl with towing brakes

1587kg with 6 cyl with towing brakes

Ya that's about the best you'll find new that gets good MPG. She'll tow 3500 lbs and our V6 hovers around 10.5L/100Km average in 70-80% city, on the highway you might see low 9's. I'm sure the engine would pull more but not sure the suspension/springs are cut out for the tongue weight on the hitch.

tortoise · « **Reply #17 on:** April 25, 2011, 08:52:51 pm »

Does it have to be a small SUV?

With an 80 km commute you would be a prime candidate for a VW golf wagon. I bet they'd be decent at towing too.

rrocket · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2011, 08:59:47 pm »

Quote from: uber on April 25, 2011, 12:23:22 am

Quote from: Flinter on April 24, 2011, 11:54:37 pm
How about the Suzuki Grand Vitara? It's rated to tow up to 3000lbs.

EPA Fuel Economy (L/100km)
12.4 City, 10.2 Hwy, 11.8 Combined

NRC Fuel Economy (L/100km)
11.2 City, 8.6 Hwy

good call.... best in class by the look of it.... I have always discounted Suzuki, irrationally.... I will have a look at one... and the Forester...

Rav4 V6 tows 3500lbs...

Loudpedal · « **Reply #19 on:** April 25, 2011, 11:28:19 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on April 25, 2011, 08:59:47 pm

Quote from: uber on April 25, 2011, 12:23:22 am
Quote from: Flinter on April 24, 2011, 11:54:37 pm
How about the Suzuki Grand Vitara? It's rated to tow up to 3000lbs.

EPA Fuel Economy (L/100km)
12.4 City, 10.2 Hwy, 11.8 Combined

NRC Fuel Economy (L/100km)
11.2 City, 8.6 Hwy

good call.... best in class by the look of it.... I have always discounted Suzuki, irrationally.... I will have a look at one... and the Forester...

Rav4 V6 tows 3500lbs...

...and the Rav4 V6 gets arguably the same mileage as the 4 cyl.