Tow rating can be over 8000 pounds. Payload does vary a lot. Get the proper towing equipment for the 7000+ tow rating, i.e. HD trans cooler and hopefully 3.92 axle.
I really like the luxury trucks and do not think they are fads. They do it all, at least if enough payload. Date night, cart the kids, pick up some sheets of plywood for random home improvement project, luxury and conveniences while commuting, with larger than full sized interior/cabin space in today's crew cabs. It costs $10k-15 more than the the mid level/mainstream equipment truck with the same utility capabilities. That's far less than another $30-40k high end mid sized Fusion/Regal/200.