Good used mid size SUV for towing

2004-2009 Dodge Durango. Live axles front and rear and a stiff frame make for great tow handling. We got ours for the same reason. Didn't want something as big as a Suburban. Ours has the Hemi 5.7L V8 so tons of power. The V6 is also a very dependable engine or there is the 4.7L V8 as an option. V6 gets 2-4mpg better than the V8's.

crcr wrote:

lfloom wrote:

crcr wrote:

RoyJ wrote:

wintersun wrote:
The Toyota 4Runner is rated for towing up to 4,700 lbs. and has a vehicle weight of 6100 lbs. which is within a 100 lbs. of the weight of my Chevy Tahoe. Small wonder that the 4Runner's fuel economy is no better than what I had with my Tahoe.

You may have gotten the numbers reversed - 4Runner weight around 4700 lbs, and can tow upwards of 6000 lbs depending on model.

Correct towing ratings for 4Runner:
V8: 2WD, 7300 lbs, 4WD: 7000 lbs.
V6: 5000 lbs

They haven't made a V8 4runner in several years. And, current 4Runners do indeed, tow 4700.
4runner site

I'm quite aware there is not longer a V8 4Runner produced. -- I mentioned the V8 model because the OP said he was interested in a USED SUV. The V8 appeared in the 4th Generation of 4Runner, which was produced from 2003 through 2009.

The towing ratings quoted above are the correct numbers for the 4th Gen, 2003-2009 4Runner:
V8: 2WD, 7300 lbs, 4WD: 7000 lbs.
V6: 5000 lbs

My towing number was just a guess. Main point I was making is that no 4Runner ever weighted 6100 lbs.

plasticmaster wrote:
My wife does not want a huge SUV, she wants a mid size.

I get that, that is how I ended up with that Trailblazer in the first place. I wanted a Tahoe, she wanted the Equinox and since she was going to be driving it every day the best I could do was get her to compromise on the Trailblazer.

My wife does not want a huge SUV, she wants a mid size.

I had a Chevy Trailblazer with the 5.3 V8, got 14 MPG(mostly city driving for DW). My sister had a Tahoe with the same engine and got 17 MPG. Why not the larger one?

Toyota 4Runner would be my choice. Maximum reliability and the frame is the same one used with their pickup trucks and not a unibody car structure as with most mid sized SUV's.

Wife just picked up an 2011 acura mdx with all wheel drive. Can tow up to 5k supposedly. Just got back from the blue ridge area and very nice vehicle. Saw one towing a small R pod type camper... Well with 300 hp it should have no problem. Good luck on your search!

lfloom wrote:

crcr wrote:

RoyJ wrote:

wintersun wrote:
The Toyota 4Runner is rated for towing up to 4,700 lbs. and has a vehicle weight of 6100 lbs. which is within a 100 lbs. of the weight of my Chevy Tahoe. Small wonder that the 4Runner's fuel economy is no better than what I had with my Tahoe.

You may have gotten the numbers reversed - 4Runner weight around 4700 lbs, and can tow upwards of 6000 lbs depending on model.

Correct towing ratings for 4Runner:
V8: 2WD, 7300 lbs, 4WD: 7000 lbs.
V6: 5000 lbs

They haven't made a V8 4runner in several years. And, current 4Runners do indeed, tow 4700.
4runner site

I'm quite aware there is not longer a V8 4Runner produced. -- I mentioned the V8 model because the OP said he was interested in a USED SUV. The V8 appeared in the 4th Generation of 4Runner, which was produced from 2003 through 2009.

The towing ratings quoted above are the correct numbers for the 4th Gen, 2003-2009 4Runner:
V8: 2WD, 7300 lbs, 4WD: 7000 lbs.
V6: 5000 lbs

There are plenty of used V8 4Runners around. I have owned both the V6 and V8 models in the 4th Gen 4Runner, and within towing and payload limitations, they are a very good TV and extremely rugged and reliable. I especially liked the 4x4 model in the V8 as it is a full time all wheel drive (the V6 4x4 is not full time).

I also prefer the 4th Gen, because in the 5th Gen (2010 on), Toyota de-contented many many items that were standard on the 4th Gen, in an effort to keep the vehicle price competitive given the change in the value of the yen vs the US dollar.

crcr wrote:

RoyJ wrote:

wintersun wrote:
The Toyota 4Runner is rated for towing up to 4,700 lbs. and has a vehicle weight of 6100 lbs. which is within a 100 lbs. of the weight of my Chevy Tahoe. Small wonder that the 4Runner's fuel economy is no better than what I had with my Tahoe.

You may have gotten the numbers reversed - 4Runner weight around 4700 lbs, and can tow upwards of 6000 lbs depending on model.

Correct towing ratings for 4Runner:
V8: 2WD, 7300 lbs, 4WD: 7000 lbs.
V6: 5000 lbs

They haven't made a V8 4runner in several years. And, current 4Runners do indeed, tow 4700.
4runner site

Durango v6 -6200lbs
Durango v8- 7400lbs