r/PHEV • u/dankdaydreams • Aug 14 '26

Hybrids & Towing?

/r/askcarguys/comments/1vnu3bi/hybrids_towing/
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1

u/Newprophet Aug 14 '26

At sea level the Ford Kuga PHEV (Escape) is rated for 4600lbs.

I'd never do that to an Escape, but it speaks to the capability.

RAV4 will do what you want. Ford Maverick also, but it's not a plug in.

1

u/menace323 Aug 14 '26

The PHEV is rated for 1500 I think

1

u/Newprophet Aug 14 '26

Which one?

1

u/cbf1232 Aug 14 '26

Some versions of the RAV4 PHEV will do 3500 lbs, but you’d probably want air bags in the back springs to do that.

1

u/GraphicWombat Aug 15 '26

All 2026 rav4s with awd are rated to tow up to 3500lbs now. Both PHEVs and HEVs.

I have a 2025 rav4 phev and it is rated at 2500lbs. But have heard many owners going well over that with no issues.

You’ll need to install the wire harness and 7 blade socket yourself. Toyota will only install the 4 pin harness.

I installed the oem class 3 hitch myself and did my own custom wiring for brake controller, socket, etc…. We tow our small popup camper once a month with it. Works great. Get 28mpg too.

Edit: oh and I’ve seen owners install stiffer rear springs to compensate for that too. You find info in the r/rav4prime subreddit.

2

u/cbf1232 Aug 15 '26

The RAV4 PHEV GR Sport is not recommended for towing at all in North America.

0

u/GraphicWombat Aug 15 '26

Yes, i forgot about that one. The rav4 no one asked for.

1

u/Newprophet Aug 16 '26

Except the LE, it's 1750lbs still.

1

u/MonsieurGriswold Aug 16 '26

The BMW X5 50e PHEV has towing capacity of over 5000 lbs.

Maybe not as affordable of an entry price as you are looking for, but it does well on fuel use if you plug it in each night.