What's Your Subaru's Towing Capacity?

Whether you’re planning to purchase a new Subaru, planning an upcoming camping trip, or simply moving many items,  your Subaru’s towing capacity is important piece of information you need to know.

Below are the towing capacities of the most recent Subaru vehicles.

Extra Tip: After finding your Subaru’s towing capacity, scroll to the bottom section for Things to Know Before You Go.

Subaru Ascent Towing Capacity

With the engine that has the most torque output, the Subaru Ascent has the highest towing capacity of all Subaru models. The base model is able to pull 2,000 pounds while all other trims can pull up to 5000 pounds.

Extra Ascent Towing Tips

• Ascent models equipped with BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) will want to turn these features turned off. These systems operate on radar waves and may not work properly if blocked by a trailer.
• Maximum towing capacity without trailer brakes is 1,000 pounds.
• Subaru recommends tongue weight is between 8 and 11 percent of trailer weight.

Subaru Crosstrek Towing Capacity

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 pounds.

Extra Crosstrek Towing Tips

• Crosstrek models equipped with BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) will want to turn these features turned off. These systems operate on radar waves and may not work properly if blocked by a trailer.
• The 2021 Crosstrek maximum tongue weight of 150 lbs with tongue weight between 8 to 11 percent of total trailer weight.
• The 2021 Crosstrek maximum towing capacity is reduced to 750 lbs for continuously uphill drives longer than 5 miles.

Subaru Forester Towing Capacity

The 2020 and 2021 Subaru Forester have a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds.

Extra Forester Towing Tips

• Forester models equipped with BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) will want to turn these features turned off. These systems operate on radar waves and may not work properly if blocked by a trailer.
• The 2021 Forester has a maximum tongue weight of 150 lbs with tongue weight between 8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight.
• The 2021 Forester maximum towing capacity is reduced to 1,000 lbs for continuously uphill drives longer than 5 miles.

Subaru Outback Towing Capacity

The Subaru Outback pulling limit comes second only to the Ascent. The Subaru Outback Edition XT can pull up to 3,500 pounds while all other Outback trims have a limit of 2,700 pounds.

Extra Outback Towing Tips

• Outback models equipped with BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert) will want to turn these features turned off. These systems operate on radar waves and may not work properly if blocked by a trailer.
• The 2021 Outback has a maximum tongue weight of 270 lbs with tongue weight between 8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight.
• The 2021 Outback Onyx Edition has a maximum tongue weight of 350 lbs with tongue weight between 8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight.

Things to Know Before You Go

Knowing your vehicle’s towing capacity isn’t the only piece of info you need before a safe tow. The following items are equally important to know before you go. 

Towing Capacity Defined

The towing capacity of a vehicle is the combined weight of the cargo AND the trailer. Because of this, the trailer’s weight must be considered before you tow.

Example: 

Your Subaru Crosstrek can pull up to 1,500 pounds. You also use a trailer that weighs 700 pounds. This means that you can add up to 800 pounds of cargo to the trailer.

Trailer Payload Capacity: Don’t Overstuff Your Trailer

Your Subaru might be able to pull the fully loaded trailer, but can the trailer carry all that weight? 

A trailer’s payload capacity is how much weight it can carry. The payload capacity varies with trailer and is generally found through the manufacturer’s website.

Tongue Weight

Knowing the proper tongue weight needed for a safe tow is just as important as knowing the towing capacity. The tongue weight is the amount of force that the trailer exerts on the hitch itself. 

• Too little tongue weight can cause the back end of your Subaru to lift and your trailer to sway.
• Too much tongue weight can weigh down and sag the back of your Subaru while causing the front of the vehicle to point upward. Handling and braking will be negatively affected as a result.

For most trailer applications, a tongue weight of 10%-15% of the towing capacity is recommended. Achieving a proper tongue by:

• Adding or removing weight
• Redistributing trailer weight

Wrapping It Up

We’re happy to help our readers find the towing capacity for their Subaru vehicles. We also know that sharing payload capacities and proper tongue weights are just as important. With all you’ve learned, we believe that your next tow will be a a safe one.

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