2026 BMW SUVs Ranked by Towing Capacity: Which Model Is Right for Québec Drivers?
2026 BMW SUVs Ranked by Towing Capacity: Which Model Is Right for Québec Drivers?
Posted on July 19, 2026
A boat for the lake, a camper for the long weekend, a utility trailer for the cottage renovation. Each of those jobs asks a different question of the vehicle in your driveway, and the answer starts with a single number: maximum towing capacity. The 2026 BMW X lineup covers a wide spread, from compact models built for light trailers all the way to a three-row flagship rated for 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg).
This guide ranks every 2026 BMW SUV by what it can pull, then walks through what each rating means for real trailers. The goal is simple: help you match the model to the load, without paying for capacity you will never use or coming up short on the day you need it.
At a Glance: 2026 BMW SUV Towing Capacity Rankings
|
Rank |
Model and Trims |
Max Towing Capacity |
|
1 |
X7 (xDrive40i, M60i xDrive, ALPINA XB7) |
7,500 lbs (3,402 kg) |
|
2 |
X5 (xDrive40i, M60i xDrive, X5 M, X5 M Competition) |
7,200 lbs (3,266 kg) |
|
2 |
X6 (xDrive40i, M60i xDrive, X6 M, X6 M Competition) |
7,200 lbs (3,266 kg) |
|
4 |
X5 xDrive50e (plug-in hybrid) |
5,950 lbs (2,700 kg) |
|
5 |
iX (xDrive45, xDrive60) |
5,510 lbs (2,500 kg) |
|
6 |
X3 M50 xDrive |
4,850 lbs (2,200 kg) |
|
7 |
X3 30 xDrive |
4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) |
|
8 |
X1 (xDrive28i, M35i xDrive) |
3,500 lbs (1,587 kg) |
|
8 |
X2 (xDrive28i, M35i xDrive) |
3,500 lbs (1,587 kg) |
All figures are for properly equipped vehicles with the factory trailer hitch. Every model on this list ships with BMW xDrive all-wheel drive as standard.
1. BMW X7: 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg)
The X7 sits at the top of the ranking, and it earns the spot with more than a hitch rating. Its standard air suspension self-levels with a loaded trailer attached, and Parking Assistant Professional includes Trailer Assistant, which steers the vehicle while reversing so you only manage the throttle and brake.
Three engines are on the menu. The X7 xDrive40i uses a 3.0 L inline 6-cylinder with 48V mild hybrid technology, producing 375 hp and up to 398 lb-ft of torque. The X7 M60i xDrive moves to a 4.4 L V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. The ALPINA XB7 tunes that same V8 to 630 hp and 590 lb-ft. All three share the 7,500 lbs (3,402 kg) rating.
- Seating for seven, or six with the optional second-row captain’s chairs
- Cargo capacity of 326 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,120 litres with both rear rows folded
- Air suspension lowers at the touch of a button in the cargo area for easier loading
2. BMW X5 and X6: 7,200 lbs (3,266 kg)
The X5 Sports Activity Vehicle and the X6 Sports Activity Coupe share a platform, a 2,975 mm wheelbase and the same 7,200 lbs (3,266 kg) towing rating across the xDrive40i, M60i xDrive and full M models. That puts them only 300 lbs behind the X7 in a smaller, more agile package.
The xDrive40i’s 3.0 L inline 6-cylinder produces 375 hp and 398 lb-ft. The M60i xDrive’s 4.4 L V8 makes 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, and covers 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. Trailer stability control is standard on both, and the optional air suspension adds automatic self-levelling.
- X5 cargo capacity: 650 litres, up to 1,870 litres with the rear seats folded
- X6 cargo capacity: 580 litres, up to 1,530 litres with the rear seats folded
- Ground clearance of 221 mm (X5) and 216 mm (X6) for boat launches and gravel campsite roads
4. BMW X5 xDrive50e: 5,950 lbs (2,700 kg)
The plug-in hybrid X5 pairs the 3.0 L inline 6-cylinder with an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed transmission for a combined 483 hp. It reaches 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and offers up to 64 km of electric driving range, so weekday commutes can run on battery power while the weekend trailer still gets a 5,950 lbs (2,700 kg) rating.
5. BMW iX: 5,510 lbs (2,500 kg)
The fully electric iX ranks fifth overall and leads every other electric model in this guide. The iX xDrive45 produces 402 hp with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.1 seconds; the iX xDrive60 raises output to 536 hp and drops that time to 4.6 seconds. Both carry a 5,510 lbs (2,500 kg) rating with the optional trailer hitch, which covers most pop-up campers, fishing boats and dual-axle utility trailers.
6. BMW X3 M50 xDrive: 4,850 lbs (2,200 kg)
The X3 M50 xDrive proves the mid-size class can pull serious weight. Its 3.0 L inline 6-cylinder with 48V mild hybrid technology delivers 393 hp and 428 lb-ft, moving the X3 from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The 4,850 lbs (2,200 kg) rating is the highest of any BMW SUV below the X5.
7. BMW X3 30 xDrive: 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg)
The X3 30 xDrive uses a 2.0 L 4-cylinder with 48V mild hybrid assist, producing 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. Its 4,000 lbs (1,814 kg) rating handles a small travel trailer or a pair of personal watercraft, and its 570-litre cargo hold (1,700 litres with seats folded) takes care of everything that does not go on the hitch.
8. BMW X1 and X2: 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)
The two compact models close out the ranking with an identical 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg) rating. Both offer a 2.0 L 4-cylinder in two outputs: 241 hp and 295 lb-ft in the xDrive28i, or 312 hp and 295 lb-ft in the M35i xDrive. That is enough for a small utility trailer, a single jet ski or a lightweight teardrop camper.
- X1 cargo capacity: 540 litres, up to 1,600 litres with the rear seats folded
- X2 cargo capacity: 560 litres, up to 1,470 litres with the rear seats folded
Matching the Trailer to the Model
Start with the loaded weight of the trailer, not the empty weight. A 16-foot aluminum fishing boat with motor and trailer often lands between 1,500 and 2,500 lbs, which every model on this list handles. A 20-foot travel trailer loaded for a week away can pass 5,000 lbs, which points you toward the X5 xDrive50e, the iX or above. Anything with a dry weight near 6,000 lbs belongs behind an X5, X6 or X7.
Leave a margin. Running near the rating limit on the long climbs north of the city works the powertrain harder and shortens stopping distances. A rating with 15 to 20 percent of headroom keeps the drive relaxed.
- Light trailers under 3,500 lbs: X1, X2, X3 30 xDrive
- Mid-size boats and campers up to 5,500 lbs: X3 M50 xDrive, iX, X5 xDrive50e
- Large travel trailers and cabin cruisers up to 7,500 lbs: X5, X6, X7
Find Your Towing Match at BMW Laval
Every BMW X model in this ranking pairs its towing rating with xDrive all-wheel drive, trailer stability control and the option of a factory-integrated hitch. The right choice depends on what sits behind you on the highway. Bring your trailer weight to BMW Laval in Laval and let the team walk you through the models that fit, from the X1 to the X7.