Subaru vehicles are legendary for their ability to carry you, your family, your friends, your pets and all your stuff to your favorite locations. But there have probably been other times when you’ve needed to pick up a mountain of bark mulch or you wanted to tow your own travel trailer to sleep at a campsite. That’s when you need to understand a Subaru vehicle’s towing capacity and what that means to you when towing a trailer.
What Is the Towing Capacity of a Subaru Ascent?
The Subaru Ascent is the largest Subaru vehicle ever and has the greatest seating capacity – for up to eight passengers – of any of the Subaru models. It also has the greatest potential towing capacity, depending on the trim level and the accessories it’s equipped with.
Equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® engine, the Ascent produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a high-torque Lineartronic® CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) featuring 8-speed manual shift mode function. This powertrain allows up to 5,000-pound towing capacity1 with standard Trailer Stability Assist.
What Is the Towing Capacity of a Subaru Outback?
The Subaru Outback has been the mobile platform for outdoor adventure since it was introduced in the 1995 model year. Over the decades, the Outback has become a capable overlander on its own and is also able to haul a trailer to your favorite location.
With an available 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER engine, the Outback delivers 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The engine couples to a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with 8-speed manual shift mode function. The powertrain and chassis in the Outback offer a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds,1 depending upon the trim level and the accessories the vehicle is equipped with.
What Is the Towing Capacity of a Subaru Forester?
The Subaru Forester may not be as big dimensionally as the Subaru Ascent, but it offers up to 74.2 cubic feet of cargo volume for all your accessories and more. It features a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine that provides 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, coupled to a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with adaptive controls.
The transmission has a 7- or 8-speed manual shift mode, depending on the trim level. With the proper accessories, certain Forester trims can tow up to 3,000 pounds.1
What Is the Towing Capacity of a Subaru Crosstrek?
The Subaru Crosstrek is available in both conventional and hybrid platforms (in limited areas). Depending on the trim level, the Crosstrek can be equipped with a 2.0-liter SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder with 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque; a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder with 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque; or a hybrid driveline with both a 2.0-liter Boxer four-cylinder with 137 horsepower and 134 lb-ft of torque as well as a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor with 118 horsepower and 149 lb-ft of torque anywhere between zero and 1,500 rpm.
What Subaru Model Has the Highest Towing Capacity?
The Subaru Ascent Premium, Ascent Onyx Edition, Ascent Limited and Ascent Touring are all standard with a 5,000-pound towing capacity.1
Can a Subaru Tow a Camper?
Depending on the model, trim level and accessories of the Subaru vehicle and the overall weight of the trailer, a Subaru vehicle can tow a camper.
Small campers are generally less than 22 feet long and have an average weight of about 2,800 pounds. Small travel trailers can also have a cargo capacity of about 800 pounds. It’s important to not only understand the weight of the trailer but also the weight of everything else in it, such as water, propane tanks, cargo and batteries.
A Subaru Ascent Premium, Ascent Onyx Edition, Ascent Limited and Ascent Touring with the appropriate hitch all have the capacity to tow a travel trailer, with a bit of a cushion for the weight of passengers and cargo inside the vehicle.
Smaller campers, such as the TAB S from nüCamp, have a dry weight of 1,946 pounds, making them suitable for towing with an Outback Onyx Edition XT, Outback Wilderness, Outback Limited XT or Outback Touring XT. The Forester Wilderness also has the capacity to tow a smaller camper like this.
What Accessories Do I Need for Towing With My Subaru?
Subaru offers a full line of accessories for all of its models, including 2-inch receiver hitches that mount directly to the chassis of the vehicle and allow trailer hitch balls and other accessories to slide into the square receiver tube. These hitches allow you to safely tow a trailer and can be used for other accessories like bike carriers.
1 Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level. Trailer brakes may be needed. See your retailer for details. 2 Certain limitations apply. See Ownerʼs Manual for details.
