Horsepower. Torque. Zero-to-sixty times. Fuel economy. We know these numbers. We quote them at dinner parties and use them to justify buying things we don’t need. Interior volume and legroom? Familiar territory. These metrics are straightforward. They tell you what you’re getting for your money.
But there are numbers out there that trip people up. Big ones. Numbers that, if ignored, can lead to blown tires, overheated transmissions, or worse. One of these is the gross combination weight rating, or GCWR.
If you plan to tow a trailer, you need to know this number. It isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a hard limit set by the manufacturer.
What Does GCWR Actually Mean?
Let’s be clear. GCWR is not the actual weight of your car and trailer. It’s the maximum weight the manufacturer says they can handle.
Think of it as a ceiling. The total weight of your tow vehicle plus the loaded trailer must never exceed this ceiling.
It’s similar to GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating), which applies to a single vehicle. The difference? GCWR looks at the combination. It accounts for the tow vehicle and the trailer together.
Ford explains the math simply. You add up:
– The vehicle’s curb weight
– Allowable payload
– Driver and passenger weight
– Trailer weight
If that sum hits your GCWR, you’ve hit the limit. Go over, and you’re in dangerous territory.
Why Safety Is Non-Negotiable
Overloading any vehicle is risky. Overloading a tow setup is a disaster waiting to happen.
Heavy loads are hard to control. They don’t stop on a dime. In fact, the braking system might overheat and fail entirely. You lose the ability to slow down.
Tires? They might not handle the strain. A blowout at highway speeds is no joke.
The engine and transmission take a beating too. Added strain causes overheating. Mechanical failure follows. Suspension components can bend or break. You lose control.
There’s a variety of problems that result from overloading. Never surpass your vehicle’s GCWR. It’s that simple.
Where to Find Your Rating
You need to play it safe. That starts with knowing your limits.
So where do you look?
Typically, you’ll find a label inside the vehicle’s door frame. Look near where the driver’s door latches. That sticker holds the data.
You can also search online. Most manufacturers publish this info on their sites. It’s available. Use it.
Acura GCWR Data
Depending on your make and model year, you can check specific limits. Here is the data for Acura.
| Year | Model | GCWR (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | MDX | 8121 |
| 2006 | RL | 5162 |
| 2006 | RSX | 4384 |
| 2006 | TL | 4730 |
| 2006 | TSX | – |
| 2007 | MDX | 10053 |
| 2007 | RL | 5164 |
| 2007 | RDX | 6394 |
| 2007 | TL | 4773 |
| 2007 | TSX | 4407 |
| 2008 | MDX | 10053 |
| 2008 | RL | 5164 |
| 2008 | RSX | 6394 |
| 2008 | TL | 4773 |
| 2008 | TSX | 4407 |
| 2009 | MDX | 10053 |
| 2009 | RL | 5233 |
| 2009 | RSX | 5574 |
| 2009 | TSX | 4550 |
More Acura Specs:
– Acura GVWR
– Acura GAWR
– Acura Cargo Carrying Capacity
– Acura Curb Weight
– Acura Payload
– Acura Towing Capacity
Audi GCWR Data
Audi’s lineup tells a different story. Many models lack listed ratings in this dataset, but the Q7 stands out.
| Year | Model | GCWR (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | A3 | – |
| 2006 | A4 | – |
| 2006 | A6 | – |
| 2006 | A8 | – |
| 2006 | S4 | – |
| 2006 | TT | – |
| 2007 | A3 | – |
| 2007 | A4 | – |
| 2007 | A6 | – |
| 2007 | A8 | – |
| 2007 | Q7 | 10665 |
| 2007 | RS4 | – |
| 2007 | S4 | – |
| 2007 | S6 | – |
| 2007 | S8 | – |
| 2008 | A3 | – |
| 2008 | A4 | – |
| 2008 | A5 | – |
| 2008 | A6 | – |
| 2008 | A8 | – |
| 2008 | Q7 | 10665 |
| 2008 | R8 | – |
| 2008 | RS4 | – |
| 2008 | S4 | – |
| 2008 | S5 | – |
| 2008 | S6 | – |
| 2008 | S8 | – |
| 2008 | TT | – |
| 2009 | A3 | – |
| 2009 | A4 | – |
| 2009 | A5 | – |
| 2009 | A8 | – |
| 2009 | Q7 | 10665 |
| 2009 | R8 | – |
| 2009 | S4 | – |
| 2009 | S5 | – |
| 2009 | S8 | – |
| 2009 | TT | – |
More Audi Specs:
– Audi GVWR
– Audi GAWR
– Audi Cargo Carrying Capacity
– Audi Curb Weight
– Audi Payload
– Audi Towing Capacity
BMW GCWR
The numbers don’t lie. If you’re pulling a trailer with a Bavarian machine you need to know the Gross Combined Weight Rating. It’s the max weight of the car plus the trailer and everything inside both. BMW kept things relatively conservative for the sedans.
2006 Models
The X5 was the workhorse here.
* X5: 10,802 lbs.
* X3: 7,673 lbs.
* Sedans (325, 330, 525, 530, 550, 650, 750, M3, M5, M6, Z4, Z4M): Data not listed.
2007 Models
Same story. The X5 gained a bit of heft allowance.
* X5: 11,132 lbs.
* X3: 7,662 lbs.
* Sedans (328, 335, 525, 530, 550, 650, 750, Alpina B7, M5, M6, Z4, Z4M): Data not listed.
2008 Models
The 1-Series entered the chat.
* X5: 11,132 lbs.
* X3: 7,662 lbs.
* X6: 11,044 lbs.
* Sedans (128, 135, 328, 335, 528, 535, 550, 650, 750, Alpina B7, M3, M5, Z4, Z4M): Data not listed.
2009 Models
* X5: 11,066 lbs.
* X3: 7,662 lbs.
* X6: 11,044 lbs.
* Sedans (128, 135, 328, 335, 528, 535, 550, 750, M3, M5, M6): Data not listed.
Buick GCWR
GM’s premium brand stuck to its guns for these four years. The LaCrosse and Lucerne didn’t budge.
2006 – 2009 Models
* LaCrosse: 4,645 lbs (steady across all years).
* Lucerne: 4,914 lbs (steady across all years).
* Rainier: 10,500 lbs (2006-2007).
* Rendezvous: 7,746 lbs (2006-2007).
* Terraza: 8,500 lbs (2006 only).
* Enclave: 9,500 lbs (2008-2009).
Cadillac GCWR
Heavy lifting. The Escalade line dominates the charts. If you are towing anything behind a Cadillac, it’s likely one of these trucks.
2006 Models
* Escalade: 12,902 lbs.
* Escalade ESV: 14,000 lbs.
* Escalade EXT: 13,464 lbs.
* STS-V: 5,383 lbs.
* SRX: 5,314 lbs.
* DTS: 5,159 lbs.
* CTS-V: 5,000 lbs.
* STS: 5,008 lbs.
* CTS: 4,659 lbs.
2007 Models
* Escalade / ESV / EXT: All bumped to 14,000 lbs.
* STS-V: 5,544 lbs.
* SRX: 6,314 lbs.
* STS: 5,079 lbs.
* DTS: 5,159 lbs.
* CTS-V: 5,000 lbs.
* CTS: 4,659 lbs.
2008 Models
* Escalade / ESV / EXT: 14,000 lbs.
* STS-V: 5,544 lbs.
* SRX: 6,314 lbs.
* STS: 5,123 lbs.
* DTS: 5,159 lbs.
* CTS: 5,011 lbs.
2009 Models
* Escalade / ESV / EXT: 14,000 lbs.
* Escalade Hybrid: 6,314 lbs.
* STS-V: 5,544 lbs.
* STS / SRX / CTS: 5,123 lbs.
Chevrolet GCWR
The backbone of American towing. These numbers vary wildly depending on whether you are pulling a small hatchback or a full-size suburban.
2006 Models
* Silverado 3500 HD / 2500 HD: 16,000 lbs.
* Avalanche 2500: 16,878 lbs.
* Silverado 1500 HD: 13,793 lbs.
* Suburban 2500: 13,822 lbs.
* TrailBlazer: 11,000 lbs.
* TrailBlazer EXT: 9,921 lbs.
* Express: 9,500 lbs.
* SSR: 7,351 lbs.
* Equinox: 7,252 lbs.
* Uplander: 7,734 lbs.
* Impala: 4,703 lbs.
* HHR: 4,305 lbs.
* Monte Carlo: 4,504 lbs.
* Malibu MAXX: 4,609 lbs.
* Colorado: 5,218 lbs.
* Cobalt: 4,141 lbs.
2007 Models
* Silverado 2500 HD / 2500 HD Classic: 16,000 lbs.
* Silverado 3500 Classic: 15,881 lbs.
* Suburban 2500: 14,000 lbs.
* Suburban 1500: 13,000 lbs.
* Avalanche 1500: 13,000 lbs.
* Silverado 1500 HD Classic: 14,000 lbs.
* Silverado 1500 SS Classic: 13,000 lbs.
* Silverado 1500 Hybrid Classic: 12,000 lbs.
* Tahoe / TrailBlazer: 10,000 lbs.
* Silverado 1500 Classic: 10,798 lbs.
* Silverado 1500: 10,000 lbs.
* Uplander: 7,754 lbs.
* Equinox: 7,252 lbs.
* Express: 9,500 lbs.
* Impala: 4,705 lbs.
* HHR: 4,305 lbs.
* Monte Carlo: 4,504 lbs.
* Colorado: 5,772 lbs.
* Cobalt: 4,141 lbs.
2008 Models
* Silverado 3500 HD / 2500 HD: 16,000 lbs.
* Suburban 2500: 16,000 lbs.
* Suburban 1500: 13,000 lbs.
* Avalanche 1500: 13,000 lbs.
* Tahoe Hybrid: 12,000 lbs.
*
Ford GCWR
Ford’s lineup from this era tells a story of trucks getting heavier and cars staying relatively light. If you are pulling a trailer, the numbers matter.
2006
The E-series vans were workhorses. The E-150 sat at 11,318 lbs GCWR. The E-250 dropped slightly to 10,912 lbs. But the E-350 Super Duty? That was a beast at 13,000 lbs.
The F-series trucks were the stars. The F-150 had a 11,665 lbs limit. The F-250 and F-350 both maxed out at 15,000 lbs.
Smaller cars? Not so much. The Focus was capped at 3,771 lbs. The Fusion, GT, Mustang, and Taurus had no official GCWR listed for this year. The Five Hundred managed 4,799 lbs. The Explorer was a decent hauler at 7,700 lbs.
2007
Ford added the Edge. It had a 6,248 lbs GCWR. The Expedition also joined the party. The standard Expedition did 14,928 lbs. The Expedition EL (the long wheelbase version) pulled ahead to 15,078 lbs.
The F-250 and F-350 got a bump. Both jumped to 17,000 lbs. The F-150 moved to 11,700 lbs. The Mustang got its first listed number here: 4,611 lbs. The Ranger dropped significantly to 5,820 lbs.
2008
The F-350 stayed at 17,000 lbs. But the F-250 dropped back to 15,000 lbs. Why? Maybe weight distribution. Maybe engineering. It didn’t matter; it was the law.
The F-450 entered the chat. It had a 27,000 lbs GCWR. Serious towing.
The Escape Hybrid improved slightly to 4,788 lbs. The F-150 crept up to 11,765 lbs. The Taurus X was added with 6,183 lbs.
2009
The F-150 saw a massive jump. From ~11k to 14,950 lbs. That’s nearly 3,000 lbs more capacity. The F-450 also jumped to 16,983 lbs (a drop from the 450’s previous high, but still substantial).
The Explorer dropped to 8,110 lbs. The Explorer Sport Trac went to 8,233 lbs.
GMC GCWR
GMC followed a similar path but kept their heavy duty trucks consistent.
2006
The Sierra 2500 and 3500 both sat at 15,792 lbs. The Sierra 1500 was lighter at 8,361 lbs.
The Yukon XL was strong at 13,000 lbs. The Yukon itself was 11,000 lbs. The Envoy and Envoy XL both hit 10,000 lbs.
The Savana vans: 1500 at 9,500 lbs, 2500 and 3500 at 12,000 lbs.
2007
The new Acadia arrived. It had a 9,500 lbs GCWR.
The Sierra 3500 dropped slightly to 15,342 lbs before recovering. The Sierra 2500 moved to 15,858 lbs. The Sierra 1500 jumped to 9,398 lbs.
The Canyon got a bump to 5,679 lbs. The Envoy dipped to 9,854 lbs.
2008
The Sierra 3500 climbed back to 16,000 lbs. The Sierra 2500 held steady at 15,858 lbs.
The Yukon Hybrid was introduced. It had a 12,000 lbs GCWR. The standard Yukon stayed at 10,000 lbs.
The Canyon moved to 5,882 lbs.
2009
The Sierra 2500 nudged up to 15,926 lbs. The Sierra 3500 held at 16,000 lbs.
The Yukon XL dropped to 11,000 lbs. The Canyon moved to 5,887 lbs. The Sierra Hybrid had no listed GCWR.
Honda GCWR
Honda kept things modest. These aren’t truck replacement numbers.
2006
The Ridgeline was the strongest here. It had a 9,653 lbs GCWR.
The Odyssey was decent at 8,210 lbs. The Pilot managed 7,914 lbs.
The Civic was 4,968 lbs. The Element was 5,021 lbs. The Accord was surprisingly low at 4,206 lbs. The Insight? A paltry 2,250 lbs.
2007
The Civic got a huge boost. From ~5k to 6,060 lbs.
The Ridgeline climbed to 10,085 lbs. The Pilot jumped to 9,700 lbs. The Odyssey dropped slightly to 8,034 lbs.
The Element moved to 5,083 lbs.
2008
The Civic held at 6,060 lbs. The Ridgeline held at 10,085 lbs. The Pilot held at 9,700 lbs.
The Accord and CR-V had no listed GCWR.
2009
The Civic dropped significantly to 3,738 lbs. The Pilot dropped to 8,466 lbs.
The Odyssey stayed at 8,210 lbs. The Ridgeline and CR-V had no data. The Accord Hybrid had no data.
HUMMER GCWR
Hummer didn’t do a lot of models. But they did them big.
2006
The H1 Alpha was the king. 17,300 lbs GCWR.
The H2 was 13,050 lbs. The H3 was 8,000 lbs.
2007
The H2 moved to 13,150 lbs. The H3 held at 8,000 lbs.
2008
The H2 jumped to 14,000 lbs. The H3 stayed at 8,000 lbs.
2009
The H2 held at 14,000 lbs. The H3 held at 8,000 lbs.
The H3T (the pickup version) arrived. It had a 9,461 lbs GCWR.
Hyundai GCWR
Hyundai was still finding its footing in the US market. Numbers are low by comparison to American trucks.
2006
The Santa Fe led the pack at 6,399 lbs.
The Elantra was 4,434 lbs. The Tucson was 4,403 lbs. The Sonata was 4,403 lbs. The Azera was 4,779 lbs.
2007
The Elantra dropped to 3,623 lbs. The Tucson dropped to 4,390 lbs.
The Santa Fe dropped to 5,527 lbs. The new Entourage minivan had 5,550 lbs.
2008
The Elantra jumped back up to 5,550 lbs. The Entourage moved to 5,898 lbs.
The Santa Fe held at 5,527 lbs. The Tucson held at 4,390 lbs. The Azera dropped to 3,623 lbs.
2009
The Santa Fe and Tucson had no data. The Sonata moved to 4,442 lbs. The Azera held at 4,779 lbs.
Infiniti GCWR
Luxury doesn’t always mean low towing capacity. Infiniti knew that.
2006
The QX56 SUV was the strongest. 14,510 lbs GCWR.
The FX45 did 8,020 lbs. The FX35 did 7,760 lbs.
The G35 sedan was 4,655 lbs. The M35 was 4,982 lbs. The M45 was 5,098 lbs.
2007
The QX56 jumped to **15,558 lbs
Kia GCWR
If you’re pulling a load with a Kia, the numbers get interesting fast. The 2006 Optima sat at a modest 5292 lbs. Not a tow rig. The Sportage? 4880 lbs. Still not built for heavy hauling. Then came 2007. The Sedona appeared on the scene with an 8015 lb GCWR. That’s utility. The Sorento jumped to 9299 lbs. A serious step up for a midsize SUV. By 2008, those numbers held steady. The Optima didn’t budge. The Sportage stayed put. But then 2009 dropped the Borrego. It hit 9398 lbs. Right up there with the Sorento. The Spectra models? Still no numbers. They weren’t built for it.
Land Rover GCWR
Land Rover doesn’t do modest. Even back in 2006, the Range Rover sat at 13324 lbs. The LR3? 13165 lbs. The Sport? 13318 lbs. You were moving serious weight. 2007 saw the LR3 creep up to 13276 lbs. The Sport nudged to 13334 lbs. Then 2008 got messy. The LR3 disappeared from the list. The Range Rover vanished too. Only the Sport remained, holding at 13334 lbs. 2009 brought clarity. The LR2 entered with a lower 7905 lbs. But the big boys returned. The LR3 hit 13662 lbs. The Range Rover? 13564 lbs. The Sport stayed flat at 13334 lbs. These weren’t family haulers. They were beasts.
Lexus GCWR
Lexus plays it safe. Or so it seems. The 2006 LS 430 maxed out at 6140 lbs. Not much. But the LX 470? 12240 lbs. And the GX 470? 11521 lbs. You knew where to look. The RX 330 was light at 7510 lbs. The hybrid RX 400h? 8015 lbs. 2007 brought the LS 460 but no number. The RX 350 appeared at 7520 lbs. The hybrid version? 8015 lbs. The big trucks stayed strong. The LX 470 held at 12240 lbs. The GX 470 at 11521 lbs. Then 2008. The RX 350 dropped to 6020 lbs. The hybrid RX 400h dropped to 6340 lbs. Did Lexus strip them down? Meanwhile, the LX 570 arrived. It hit 14645 lbs. Massive. 2009 kept the LX 570 and RX 350 at those same figures. 14645 lbs and 6020 lbs. The IS-F? No number. It was for speed, not shoving trailers.
Lincoln GCWSR
Lincoln loves a heavy haul. The 2006 Mark LT sat at 14500 lbs. The Navigator? 11900 lbs. The Town Car? A mere 6460 lbs. You didn’t put a boat on a Town Car. 2007. The MKX added 6370 lbs. The Navigator jumped to 15000 lbs. That’s heavy-duty territory. The Mark LT stayed at 14500 lbs. 2008. The MKX climbed to 7350 lbs. The Navigator held at 15000 lbs. The Town Car ticked up to 6502 lbs. The Mark LT? Still 14500 lbs. 2009. The MKS entered with 5277 lbs. Light. The MKX stayed at 7350 lbs. The Navigator remained at 15000 lbs. The Town Car? 6502 lbs. If you needed to move something heavy, you went Navigator. Or Mark LT. The rest was just dressing up the driveway.
Mazda GCWR
Mazda’s trucks tell a specific story. The 2006 B4000 hit 6973 lbs. The B3000? 6072 lbs. The B2300? 4744 lbs. The MPV? 5904 lbs. The Tribute? 4842 lbs. Then came the RX-8 and MX-5. No numbers. They weren’t meant for it. 2007. The B-series got a slight bump. B2300 to 4800 lbs. B3000 to 6000 lbs. B4000 to 7000 lbs. The CX-7 appeared at 5860 lbs. The CX-9? 6826 lbs. The Tribute? Gone. 2008. The B2300 held at 4800 lbs. The B4000 stayed at 7000 lbs. The CX-7 and CX-9 remained steady. The Tribute returned with 4893 lbs. The Hybrid? 4747 lbs. 2009. The B2300 dipped to 4749 lbs. The B4000 dropped to 6952 lbs. The CX-7 stayed at 5860 lbs. The CX-9? Dropped to 6484 lbs. The Tribute? Vanished. Mazda simplified. You tracked the trucks. You ignored the cars. They weren’t built for the job.
Mercedes-Benz GCWR
Mercedes splits the difference. The 2006 ML350 sat at 6773 lbs. The ML500? 6893 lbs. That’s it for the early years. No SUVs? No numbers. Then 2007. The G-Class arrived. The G500 hit 12695 lbs. The GL320? 12946 lbs. The GL450? 12399 lbs. The ML350 jumped to 12056 lbs. The ML500? 12145 lbs. The ML63 AMG? 12443 lbs. The G-Wagon became the king of the hill. 2008. The G500 dipped slightly to 12661 lbs. The G55 climbed to 12783 lbs. The GL320 hit 12963 lbs. The GL450? 12930 lbs. The GL550? 13084 lbs. The ML350 held at 12055 lbs. The ML550? 12145 lbs. The ML63 AMG? 12443 lbs. 2009. The R-Class appeared. 8590 lbs. The GL450? 12930 lbs. The GL550? 13084 lbs. The ML350? 12055 lbs. The ML320? 12324 lbs. The ML550? 12145 lbs. The ML63 AMG? 12443 lbs. The G-Class dropped off the list. Maybe they stopped making it? Or maybe they just stopped listing the tow ratings. The GL550 stayed at 13084 lbs. High. But not as high as the GL.
Mercury GCWR
Mercury was Ford’s upscale twin. The numbers mirrored that. The 2006 Grand Marquis sat at 5688 lbs. The Mariner? 4935 lbs. The Mariner Hybrid? 4937 lbs. The Montego? 4817 lbs. The Monterey? 7990 lbs. The Mountaineer? 8111 lbs. You towed with the big SUVs. The sedans? No. 2007. The Grand Marquis climbed to 5787 lbs. The Mariner stayed at 4935 lbs. The Hybrid? 4937 lbs. The Montego? 4820 lbs. The Monterey? 7990 lbs. The Mountaineer? 8217 lbs. 2008. The Grand Marquis jumped to 6000 lbs. The Mariner? 4991 lbs. The Hybrid? 4809 lbs. The Mountaineer? 8217
Nissan GCWR
Nissan’s lineup from 2006 to 2009 shows a clear split between commuter cars and heavy haulers. The 2006 Nissan Armada sets the baseline for towing capability at 11,818 lbs GCWR. By 2007, that number jumps to 12,800 lbs, and by 2008, it hits 15,100 lbs. That’s a massive jump in just two years. If you are pulling a trailer in an Armada, check the year.
The 2006 Nissan Titan starts at 11,465 lbs. It climbs to 11,600 lbs in 2007 and 11,688 lbs in 2008. Consistent. Reliable.
Small cars? Don’t bother towing. The 2006 Nissan Sentra has a 3,663 lbs GCWR. By 2009, it’s up slightly to 4,047 lbs for the Sentra, but still barely enough for a small jet ski. The Altima hovers around 4,200 lbs throughout the period. The Maxima stays in the 4,600–4,741 lbs range.
SUVs and trucks dominate the higher numbers. The 2006 Nissan Pathfinder is at 10,523 lbs. It holds steady until 2008, when it ticks up to 10,596 lbs. The Frontier truck sits at 10,676 lbs in 2006, jumps to 11,133 lbs in 2007, then drops back to 10,676 lbs in 2008. Weird inconsistency there.
The Xterra loses some ground over time. Starts at 9,658 lbs in 2006 and 2007. Drops to 9,300 lbs by 2008. Why? Maybe suspension wear. Maybe weight creep.
Sports cars have no towing capacity. The 350Z and GT-R show dashes. Don’t try it.
Pontiac GCWR
Pontiac was dying. The numbers reflect a brand losing its edge. The Pontiac G6 holds steady at 4,530 lbs in 2006 and 2007. By 2008, it drops slightly to 4,455 lbs.
The Grand Prix is similar. 4,634 lbs in 2006. 4,627 lbs from 2007–2009. Stagnation.
Trucks and haulers? The Montana SV6 in 2006 hits 8,500 lbs. No data for later years. Maybe they stopped selling it.
The Torrent SUV sits around 7,300–7,407 lbs. The G8 sedan, a rare beast, hits 6,035 lbs in 2008 and 2009. Solid. Better than the mid-size sedans.
The Vibe stays in the 4,300–4,506 lbs range. Nothing exciting.
Porsche GCWR
Porsche doesn’t do towing. Or at least, they don’t advertise it.
The Cayenne is the exception. 2006 and 2008 models sit at 12,628 lbs GCWR. By 2009, it nudges up to 12,650 lbs. Tiny gain. Significant for Porsche.
The 911, Boxter, and Cayman show dashes. Zero. Don’t tow anything with a supercar. Even if the hitch fits. Especially if the hitch fits.
Saab GCWR
Saab was a niche player. The numbers are precise, almost obsessive.
The 9-5 sedan holds a steady 7,120 lbs GCWR from 2006–2009. Unchanged.
The 9-3 gets a boost in 2009. Starts at 5,430 lbs in 2006. Drops slightly to 5,380 lbs in 2007 and 2008. Then jumps to 5,680 lbs in 2009. Odd. Maybe a chassis stiffening.
The 9-7X (built on GMT360 platform) stays at 10,500 lbs from 2006–2009. Solid truck-based SUV capability.
The 9-2X in 2006 sits at 5,220 lbs. No later data.
Saturn GCWR
Saturn struggled. The Outlook starts strong at 9,500 lbs in 2007. Drops to 6,872 lbs in 2008 and 6,852 lbs in 2009. Huge drop. Did they change the platform? Or just stop caring?
The Relay van loses capacity. 8,500 lbs in 2006. 7,918 lbs in 2007. No later data.
The VUE and VUE Hybrid stay relatively consistent. 4,857 lbs in 2006–2007. Jump to 5,475 lbs (regular) and 5,439 lbs (hybrid) in 2008–2009. Small cars like the Ion and Aura hover in the 3,900–4,678 lbs range. Nothing to write home about.
Scion GCWR
Scion = youth = no towing.
All models (tC, xA, xB, xD ) show dashes for 2006–2009. Zero GCWR. Don’t try to tow a motorcycle behind a tC. The suspension will laugh at you.
smart GCWR
The smart fortwo in 2008 shows a dash. No towing. It’s a city car. That’s its only job.
Subaru GCWR
Subaru relies on AWD. The Outback and Legacy handle the towing load.
The 2006 Outback starts at 6,160 lbs. Climbs to 6,180 lbs in 2007, 6,200 lbs in 2008, and 6,207 lbs in 2009. Slow, steady gain.
The Legacy follows suit. 6,050 lbs in 2006. 6,120 lbs in 2007–2009. Consistent.
The Forester sits around 5,640–5,690 lbs in 2006–2008. No data for 2009. Maybe they stopped offering towing packages.
The Tribeca (later called just Tribeca) starts at 7,805 lbs in 2006. Drops to 6,290 lbs in 2008 and 2009. Big drop. Did they change the hitch rating? Or just de-rate it?
The Baja in 2006 hits 6,035 lbs. Gone by 2007.
Suzuki GCWR
Suzuki was quirky. The XL7 jumps from 6,788 lbs in 2006 to 7,536 lbs in 2007 and 2008. Then disappears in 2009.
The Grand Vitara holds steady at 6,602 lbs from 2006–2008. Drops out in 2009.
Small cars like the Forenza and Reno sit in the 3,800–3,906 lbs range. No towing.
The SX4 shows dashes. No towing.
Toyota GCWR
Toyota dominates the high-end towing numbers.
The Land Cruiser jumps massively. 12,400 lbs in **2006–2
Volkswagen GCWR by Year
The German engineering didn’t always translate to massive towing numbers on the lighter platforms. You’d think a Passat could haul a small trailer, but the data tells a different story for most sedans. In 2006, the only VW with a listed Gross Combined Weight Rating was the Touareg. It sat at 12,952 lbs. That’s serious capacity. The Golf? Nothing. The Jetta? Empty. The Rabbit? Zero.
By 2007, VW added the Eos and Passat Wagon to the lineup. The Touareg crept up slightly to 13,034 lbs. Still no numbers for the compacts. It was all about the SUV.
2008 brought the R32 and GLI, yet their GCWR remained unlisted. The Eos and GLI were still mystery boxes. Only the Touareg 2 showed up again in later years, stabilizing around the 12,952 mark. Then came the Routan and Tiguan in 2009.
The Routan minivan had a modest 6,771 lbs GCWR. The Tiguan? Even lower at 5,748 lbs. These aren’t tow vehicles. They’re city runners with occasional utility. If you’re trying to pull a boat with a 2009 Tiguan, check the manual again. The numbers don’t lie. The Touareg remains the king of the VW hill for this era.
The Touareg is the only consistent heavyweight in the early 2000s VW fleet.
Volvo GCWR by Year
Volvo took a different approach. The V50 and S40 were never built for heavy loads. Their GCWRs hover around 5,300–5,500 lbs. That’s barely enough to tow a small utility trailer. The S80 and XC70 sit higher, mostly in the 7,100–7,500 lbs range.
Look at the C70. In 2006, it had a massive 7,222 lbs GCWR. By 2007? It dropped to 5,942 lbs. A thousand pounds vanishes in a year. Was it a model change? A trim difference? The data shifts wildly. The C30, introduced in 2008, sits at a measly 5,105 lbs. Don’t even think about towing behind one.
The XC90 is the outlier. The heavy iron. In 2006, it rated at 8,694 lbs. By 2009, it settled around 8,476 lbs. It’s consistent. It’s strong. It’s the only Volvo in this dataset that truly qualifies as a tow vehicle. The V70 and S60 stay in the 6,700–7,000 lbs bracket. Useful for a bike rack. Not for a camper.
Why These Numbers Matter
You don’t see GCWR listed on most badge engineering exercises. It’s buried in the technical specs. But if you’re planning a trip, it’s the hard limit.
GVWR is the weight of the car itself. GCWR adds the trailer. If you ignore it, you’re playing Russian roulette with your brakes. The suspension sags. The transmission overheats. The tires blow out.
Most of these cars have “—” for GCWR. That means the manufacturer didn’t certify them for towing at all. Zero. Not 500 lbs. Not 1,000 lbs. Nothing.
The Bigger Picture
This data comes from California DMV records and automotive glossaries. It’s not just theory. It’s registered reality.
Ford Motor Company and Midstate RV have their own standards. But for Volkswagen and Volvo, the split is clear. The SUVs and wagons carry the load. The coupes and compacts carry passengers.
Check your VIN. Check the
