The 10 cheapest SUVs with 3.5-tonne towing in Australia
If you’re in the market for a large SUV, there’s a strong chance you’ll be wanting one that can tow as much weight as possible without too much difficulty, given the three most popular examples of the genre in Australia last year were all seven-seat off-road wagons capable of hauling at least three tonnes.
Camera IconLand Rover Defender 110 towing a Virgin Galactic Spacecraft in 2021 Credit: CarExpert
There are plenty of new SUVs that can tow heavy loads, but because many will be well outside the budget of many buyers, it can be hard to know which will give you the most bang for your buck.
So to help narrow it down, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most affordable new SUVs currently on sale in Australia that have a quoted braked towing capacity of 3500kg, and ranked them based on their cheapest drive-away price.
We’ll also break down their engine outputs so you know what to expect if you decide to pull the trigger on one of these model, however, we’ve chosen to leave out their fuel consumption claims as they won’t be accurate when a full load is hooked up.
Prices are based on each manufacturer’s configurators for a Victorian postcode, which should give you a representative estimate of what the average buyer will end up paying.
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Where possible (and applicable), we’ve also included the cost of each model’s optional towing pack in our listed drive-away pricing.
Of the manufacturers on this list, two don’t provide pricing for their optional towing accessories: Volkswagen and Toyota. They are indeed available as genuine accessories from each brand, but you’ll have to talk to a dealer for exact pricing.
There’s also some contention around the 10th cheapest SUV with 3.5-tonne towing capability, as there are handful of models at a similar price that could claim that spot. Primary candidates are the Lexus GX550, which has no available options in Lexus Australia’s online configurator, and the Audi Q7, which can’t currently be configured with drive-away pricing.
For that reason, the Land Rover Discovery takes 10th place.
Click on a car’s name above to jump directly to its information on this page, or continue scrolling for the full list.
KGM SsangYong Rexton
The KGM SsangYong Rexton is the cheapest SUV with 3.5-tonne towing in Australia, and it costs as little as $51,842 drive-away with a genuine tow bar fitted.
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The Korean brand is one of the few here to offer drive-away pricing in Australia as standard, with the cheapest Rexton ELX variant typically priced at $50,000 drive-away. Its optional tow bar is available for $1842, which includes fitting.
All Rexton variants are powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which produces 441Nm of torque between 1600 and 2600rpm and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Each also has selectable four-wheel drive, and you can option a weight distribution kit for $814 if you need to tow especially heavy loads.
A 3500kg braked towing capacity applies across the range, along with an unbraked trailer rating of 750kg and a maximum tow ball load of 350kg. All models are backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Interested in buying a KGM SsangYong Rexton? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything KGM SsangYong Rexton
Isuzu MU-X 3.0L
The Isuzu MU-X is only slightly more expensive than the Rexton at $55,724 drive-away, though not all of its variants can tow 3.5 tonnes.
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Only MU-X variants fitted with Isuzu’s 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel boast that rating, while cheaper variants fitted with the 1.9-litre option are limited to 3.0 tonnes.
The cheapest eligible model – the 3.0-litre 4×2 LS-M – carries a typical drive-away estimate of $54,410, with Isuzu’s optional tow bar kit and wiring harness adaptor adding $1192 and $59 to that price respectively.
All 3.0-litre models produce 450Nm of torque between 1600 and 2600rpm, which is put to the ground through a six-speed automatic transmission and either 4Ă—2 (rear-wheel drive) or 4Ă—4 (four-wheel drive) drivetrains.
They’re all also capable of towing a 750kg unbraked load and carrying a maximum tow ball load of 350kg, while the range is backed by Isuzu’s six-year, 150,000km warranty.
Interested in buying an Isuzu MU-X? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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Ford Everest
Ford’s Everest SUV is available with two different powertrains, and both are capable of towing 3.5 tonnes. The cheapest version costs $62,623 drive-away.
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That variant is the Ambiente, which features a 4Ă—2 rear-wheel drive setup and the smaller 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine. Ford quotes a maximum torque output of 500Nm between 1750 and 2000rpm.
Moving up in the range brings the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel and 4×4 alternatives, which have the same towing capacities but noticeably higher outputs. Torque is increased to 600Nm, and it’s at its peak through a broader rev range of between 1750 and 2250rpm.
Both engines are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford’s standard towing pack, which includes a tow bar and integrated trailer brake controller, adds $1900 to the Ambiente’s base drive-away price of $60,647.
Notably, the towing pack changes throughout the range. Trend, Sport, and Tremor buyers can option the Touring Pack for $2231, which adds a 360-degree camera, tow bar, integrated trailer brake controller, and trailer backup assist.
The Premium Towing Pack also costs $2231 and is exclusive to the top-spec Platinum, though that variant already has a surround-view camera as standard. All Everests are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Interested in buying a Ford Everest? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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Toyota LandCruiser Prado
The brand-new LandCruiser Prado is the first Toyota on this list, and it starts at $78,522 drive-away for the base GX.
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There are a total of five variants available, and all are capable of towing 3.5 tonnes. Under the bonnet of each is a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, putting out 500Nm of torque between 1600 and 2800rpm.
All are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a four-wheel drive setup is standard across the range.
Toyota doesn’t outline pricing for its towing-related accessories, though a towing kit (for both on- and off-road) and trailer wiring harness can be optioned separately. If necessary, a heavy-duty load distribution hitch is also available.
Like the other models so far, unbraked towing is rated at 750kg and maximum tow ball load is 350kg. All variants are backed by Toyota’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Interested in buying a Toyota LandCruiser Prado? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen’s largest SUV, the Touareg, is its only passenger vehicle (excluding the Amarok ute) capable of towing 3.5 tonnes. It has an estimated drive-away price that starts at a hefty $96,413.
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There are a total of three powertrains available, including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and all have the same braked towing capacity. The cheapest variant is the 170TDI, which uses a 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel capable of producing 500Nm of torque between 1750 and 4000rpm.
Next up is the 210TDI found in the Elegance and R-Line, which boosts torque to 600Nm between a narrower range of 1750 and 3000rpm.
At the top of the range is the hybrid Touareg R, which uses the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol 340PHEV powertrain that spits out a whopping 700Nm of torque from 1500 to 5300rpm. Like Toyota though, pricing for Volkswagen’s towing accessories is not outlined online.
All utilise an eight-speed automatic transmission and have a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, but maximum tow ball load varies from 220kg to 280kg between the three powertrains. Covering the range is a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Interested in buying a Volkswagen Touareg? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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Nissan Patrol
Nissan’s Patrol is the final car on this list to start at less than $100,000. The cheapest Ti variant has an estimated drive-away price of $97,741.
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All variants (including the Australian-fettled Warrior) are powered by a 5.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol V8, which produces a maximum of 560Nm of torque at 4000rpm. It’s mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, with power put to the ground via a 4×4 drivetrain.
They all also have a braked towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes, along with a tow ball load rating of 350kg and an unbraked capacity of 750kg.
Nissan backs its Patrol with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with accessory pricing also detailed in full. Interestingly, the purchase of a tow bar doesn’t include the tow ball, which has to be bought separately.
Pricing for Nissan’s towing accessories (incl. fitting) are as follows:
Tow bar (incl. wiring harness): $1723Towball: $41Towbar harness adaptor (large or small): $67Towbar safety chain: $65Towbar D shackle: $33Trailer brake controller: $802Nissan-branded towing accessory bag: $37
Interested in buying a Nissan Patrol? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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Toyota LandCruiser 300
The second and final Toyota here is another LandCruiser; the 300 Series. Its cheapest GX variant has a drive-away price of $105,636, but as with the Prado that doesn’t include accessories.
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Standard across the 300 Series range is a 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel, which matches the Touareg PHEV for a torque output of 700Nm. Torque is at its peak from 1600 to 2600rpm, and it’s sent to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
While the 300 Series does come standard with a 3500kg-rated tow bar, you’ll have to buy add-ons like the towing kit (which includes the tongue and tow ball) separately. If your needs suit, you can also buy a 3000kg tow bar.
Toyota Australia doesn’t list prices on its official website, though one Victorian dealer lists a genuine Toyota towing kit for $250 and a wiring harness for $179.88, as well as that 3000kg tow bar for $856.79.
All variants have the same unbraked towing capacity and tow ball load. Toyota backs the range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Interested in buying a Toyota LandCruiser 300? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Toyota LandCruiser 300
Land Rover Defender
The rugged Land Rover Defender rings up at $112,261 drive-away in its cheapest form, and there are a dizzying number of variants to wrap your head around, despite the range being recently pruned.
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Trim levels aside, there are six different powertrain configurations you can select from – though all have the same towing capacity. Of note, the Defender has the lightest tow ball load rating of any model here.
The cheapest is the diesel Defender 90, which uses the D250 powertrain with a respectable 570Nm of torque between 1250 and 2500rpm. The cheapest Defender 110 also uses this engine.
Moving to higher grades brings the D350, the highest-output diesel Defender with 700Nm of torque. Torque from the petrol engines range from as little as 550Nm with the P400 to as much as 750Nm with the twin-turbo V8 P635 – there’s a PHEV too, but it can only tow 3000kg.
An optional tow hitch receiver costs $1432 with all variants except the top-spec Defender 110 and 90, in which it’s standard alongside advanced tow assist. Advanced tow assist, along with terrain control, comes as part of an optional $4045 towing pack across the rest of the range.
All variants are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with a 12-month warranty for genuine accessories. Given the breadth of the Defender range, it’s worth talking to a Land Rover dealer if you’re in the market for one.
Interested in buying a Defender? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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Ineos Grenadier
The Ineos Grenadier is available in a plethora of variants, though there are only two engine options and both can tow 3.5 tonnes. At the bottom of the lineup is the two-seat Utility Wagon, which bears an estimated drive-away price of $114,227.
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Included in that price is Ineos’ optional towing kit, which is priced at $820 and includes a tow hitch and electrics.
Powering the Grenadier are two BMW engines; one diesel and one petrol. Both are 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinders, though power and torque figures naturally differ between the two.
The diesel option has the advantage on torque, as it produces 550Nm between 1250 and 3000rpm compared to the petrol’s 450Nm. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission, and have the same unbraked trailer rating of 750kg and tow ball load rating of 350kg.
Ineos backs its Grenadier range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Interested in buying an Ineos Grenadier? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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Land Rover Discovery
Compared to its Defender stablemate, the Land Rover Discovery lineup is concise. All can tow 3.5 tonnes, and the cheapest is the diesel D350 Discovery S at $133,761 drive-away.
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Again, that price includes Land Rover’s optional $1850 towing pack, which comprises a tow hitch receiver and advanced tow assist across the range.
Under the bonnet are either diesel or petrol engines, and as in the Grenadier they’re turbocharged, displace 3.0 litres, and are inline six-cylinders. The difference here is they gain mild-hybrid tech.
The diesel engine offers a maximum 700Nm of torque, between 1500 and 3000rpm. The power deficit is only 7kW down on the petrol engine too, providing much more versatility.
All engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and Land Rover backs its Discovery range with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with genuine accessories covered by a 12-month warranty.
Interested in buying a Discovery? Get in touch with one CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Discovery
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