If you're shopping for a used SUV in Australia and towing capacity is the deciding factor, the verdict is straightforward: the Toyota LandCruiser wins for outright towing capacity, the Mitsubishi Pajero wins for off-road touring with a load behind you, and the Isuzu MU-X wins as the budget-conscious pick for anyone who doesn't need the full 3,500kg rating. Nissan Patrol, Toyota Prado, and Ford Everest fill the gaps in between depending on what you're hauling and how often.
- Toyota LandCruiser (200 and 300 Series) leads best used SUVs for towing Australia with a 3,500kg braked rating.
- Nissan Patrol Y62 matches the LandCruiser's 3,500kg figure with a petrol V8 instead of diesel.
- Mitsubishi Pajero and Toyota Prado sit at 3,000kg braked — enough for most caravans and boats.
- Isuzu MU-X is the value pick: 3,000kg on older models, 3,500kg on 2021-onward builds.
- Ford Everest ranges from 3,100kg to 3,500kg depending on engine and drivetrain.
Why this matters
Towing capacity numbers on a spec sheet don't tell the whole story. A used SUV rated at 3,500kg braked can still struggle if the gross combined mass (GCM) is tight, because that figure caps what the vehicle, passengers, fuel, and trailer can weigh together. In 2026, with caravan and boat trailer weights creeping up across the Australian market, buyers need to check GCM headroom, not just the towing number on the windscreen sticker.
This matters more with used vehicles because towbar setups, suspension upgrades, and electronic brake controllers vary from car to car. Two examples of the same model can have genuinely different real-world towing performance depending on how the previous owner set them up.
What makes the best used SUV for towing
- Braked towing capacity — the manufacturer-rated limit with trailer brakes engaged
- GCM headroom — how much weight is left over after passengers and cargo before you hit the towing limit
- Engine torque delivery — diesel four- and six-cylinders generally tow more comfortably than smaller petrol units
- Reliability and parts availability — critical for a used SUV that will spend hours on the highway under load
- Ride and stability while loaded — suspension and wheelbase affect trailer sway at highway speed
- Used market supply in Australia — how easy the model is to find with full service history
At a glance: best used SUVs for towing in 2026
| SUV | Best for | Standout feature | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota LandCruiser (200/300 Series) | Heavy-duty towing overall | 3,500kg braked, proven diesel drivetrain | Higher running costs, harder to find with low kilometres |
| Nissan Patrol (Y62) | Petrol V8 towing power | 3,500kg braked, strong low-end torque | Higher fuel use than diesel rivals |
| Mitsubishi Pajero | Off-road touring with a trailer | 3,000kg braked with full-time 4WD | Older generations show their age on tech and interior |
| Toyota Prado (150 Series) | Family touring and caravan trips | 3,000kg braked, seven-seat practicality | Ride firms up noticeably at full trailer weight |
| Ford Everest | Turbo-diesel towing efficiency | 3,100kg-3,500kg depending on variant | Towing figure varies a lot by engine — check the build sheet |
| Isuzu MU-X | Budget towing pick | 3,000kg (3,500kg on 2021+ builds) | Older models cap out at 3,000kg braked |
1. Toyota LandCruiser: best used SUV for towing overall
The Toyota LandCruiser is the benchmark for heavy-duty towing in the Australian used SUV market, and both the 200 Series (2007-2021) and 300 Series (2021-present) carry a 3,500kg braked rating. The diesel drivetrain is built for sustained load, which is why so many caravan and horse-float owners default to it without a second thought.
LandCruiser pros:
- 3,500kg braked towing capacity across most diesel variants
- Strong resale value and deep spare-parts network in Australia
- Proven reliability over hundreds of thousands of kilometres
LandCruiser cons:
- Higher purchase price than mid-size rivals for equivalent age
- Fuel consumption climbs noticeably under sustained towing
- Popular model years get snapped up fast on the used market
LandCruiser pricing: check current listings and service history directly, as condition and kilometres swing value more than trim level.
Best for: buyers towing at or near the 3,500kg mark regularly — caravans, horse floats, heavy boats. Verdict: Buy if budget allows and you need the full capacity.
2. Nissan Patrol: best used SUV for petrol V8 towing power
The Nissan Patrol Y62 matches the LandCruiser's 3,500kg braked figure but does it with a naturally aspirated petrol V8 instead of a diesel. That makes it a genuine alternative for buyers who tow occasionally and don't want diesel servicing costs.
Patrol pros:
- 3,500kg braked towing capacity
- Smooth power delivery, less driveline harshness than some diesels
- Strong second-hand supply in Australia through the 2010s onward
Patrol cons:
- Fuel economy under towing is noticeably worse than diesel rivals
- Fewer diesel-specific service centres familiar with the V8 petrol setup
- Interior tech dates faster than newer competitors
Best for: buyers who tow occasionally and prioritise petrol reliability over diesel fuel economy. Verdict: Buy if fuel cost isn't the deciding factor.
3. Mitsubishi Pajero: best used SUV for off-road towing
The Mitsubishi Pajero carries a 3,000kg braked towing rating across its later generations, paired with a full-time 4WD system that holds up well when the trailer and the terrain both get difficult. It's the pick for buyers towing a camper into off-road-adjacent country rather than just up the highway.
Pajero pros:
- 3,000kg braked towing with genuine off-road 4WD hardware
- Lower running costs than the LandCruiser or Patrol
- Wide availability across model years in the Australian used market
Pajero cons:
- Interior and infotainment feel dated on older generations
- Not rated for the heaviest caravans at 3,000kg
- Some model years show more wear on suspension components
Best for: buyers towing off-highway campers or trailers where 4WD capability matters as much as raw capacity. Verdict: Buy for mixed on/off-road towing.
4. Toyota Prado: best used SUV for family caravan trips
The Toyota Prado 150 Series sits at 3,000kg braked, the same as the Pajero, but leans harder into family-friendly seven-seat practicality. It's the natural pick for buyers whose towing needs come second to fitting kids, gear, and a caravan into one trip.
Prado pros:
- 3,000kg braked towing with a comfortable, family-oriented cabin
- Strong reliability record and wide diesel service network
- Seven-seat layout that many towing SUVs skip
Prado cons:
- Ride firms up and cabin noise increases at full trailer weight
- Doesn't match the 3,500kg ceiling of the LandCruiser or Patrol
- Diesel particulate filter issues reported on some higher-kilometre examples
Best for: families towing a caravan on holiday trips who need seating over maximum capacity. Verdict: Buy for family touring under 3,000kg.
5. Ford Everest: best used SUV for turbo-diesel towing efficiency
The Ford Everest's towing rating swings from 3,100kg on four-cylinder variants to as high as 3,500kg on the V6 Bi-Turbo, which makes checking the exact build sheet essential before buying used. When matched correctly, it delivers efficient diesel towing without the size or running costs of a full-size LandCruiser.
Everest pros:
- Up to 3,500kg braked towing on V6 variants
- Better fuel efficiency than full-size rivals when towing lighter loads
- Modern tech and safety features on later model years
Everest cons:
- Towing capacity varies significantly by engine and trim — easy to buy the wrong variant
- Smaller used-market footprint than Toyota or Nissan rivals
- Fewer specialist service centres compared to Toyota's national network
Best for: buyers who want strong towing without stepping up to a full-size 4WD. Verdict: Buy after confirming the exact engine and towing spec on the build plate.
6. Isuzu MU-X: best used SUV for budget towing
The Isuzu MU-X is the value entry on this list. Pre-2021 builds cap out at 3,000kg braked, while 2021-onward models were upgraded to 3,500kg, so the model year matters more here than with almost any other SUV on this list.
MU-X pros:
- Lower purchase price than most rivals with comparable towing capacity
- Simple, durable diesel drivetrain shared with the Isuzu D-Max ute
- 2021+ models match the LandCruiser's 3,500kg rating at a lower cost
MU-X cons:
- Pre-2021 examples cap at 3,000kg, below the newer benchmark
- Interior feels basic next to the Prado or Everest
- Smaller dealer network than Toyota for parts and servicing
Best for: buyers who want 3,000-3,500kg towing capacity without paying LandCruiser money. Verdict: Buy if you confirm the model year first.
Find a towing-ready used SUV
Browse current used SUV stock matched to your towing needs.
How this list was ranked
Each SUV was assessed against braked towing capacity, GCM headroom, engine torque under load, and reliability history in the Australian market. Models with genuinely different use cases — heavy-duty, off-road, family touring, budget — were kept in separate slots rather than competing head-to-head on capacity alone, because the right choice depends on what's being towed, not just the number on the spec sheet.
Which used SUV should you choose for towing?
If you regularly tow at or near 3,500kg, the Toyota LandCruiser remains the safest default in 2026. If fuel type matters more than diesel economy, the Nissan Patrol matches its capacity with a petrol V8. For anyone towing off-road, the Mitsubishi Pajero earns its slot, and families prioritising seating go with the Toyota Prado. Buyers chasing value should confirm the exact Isuzu MU-X or Ford Everest build year before signing, since towing figures shift meaningfully across model years within both lines.
FAQ
What is the best used SUV for towing in Australia?
The Toyota LandCruiser is the best used SUV for towing in Australia, with a 3,500kg braked capacity across the 200 and 300 Series. The Nissan Patrol Y62 matches that figure with a petrol V8 alternative.
Is the Toyota Prado better than the Mitsubishi Pajero for towing?
Both carry the same 3,000kg braked towing rating. The Prado suits families needing seven seats, while the Pajero suits buyers towing into off-road terrain.
How much can a used Isuzu MU-X tow?
Pre-2021 Isuzu MU-X models tow up to 3,000kg braked, while 2021-onward builds were upgraded to 3,500kg. Always confirm the exact model year before buying.
Does the Ford Everest tow more than the Toyota Prado?
It depends on the engine. Four-cylinder Everest variants tow up to 3,100kg, below the Prado's 3,000kg only marginally higher, but the V6 Bi-Turbo Everest reaches 3,500kg, well above the Prado.
What towing capacity do I need for a caravan in Australia?
Most mid-size caravans in Australia weigh between 2,000kg and 3,000kg loaded, which puts the Pajero, Prado, and MU-X within range for most buyers. Larger caravans over 3,000kg need a LandCruiser, Patrol, or V6 Everest.
Is a diesel or petrol SUV better for towing?
Diesel engines generally deliver better low-end torque and fuel economy under sustained towing loads. Petrol V8 options like the Nissan Patrol still tow effectively but use more fuel over long hauls.
Do older used SUVs have lower towing capacities than newer models?
Sometimes. The Isuzu MU-X is the clearest example, jumping from 3,000kg to 3,500kg braked starting with 2021 model-year builds, so checking the specific year matters more than checking the badge alone.
One last thing
The single most overlooked number when buying a used SUV for towing isn't the braked capacity — it's the GCM. A LandCruiser rated at 3,500kg braked can still be maxed out well before that figure once passengers, fuel, and cargo are added, so check the compliance plate GCM against your fully loaded weight before you assume the towing rating applies in full.
