Subaru Towing Capacity by Model

On this page you can browse the 653 Subaru cars, trucks, and SUVs across 8 unique Subaru models that we have towing capacity and payload information for.

Use the links below to see more details in the Subaru model you're interested in - sorted by year of production and then by trim.

How Good are Subaru Vehicles for Towing?

Japanese automaker Subaru is one of many vehicle makers that have come from Japan but is considered more of a niche brand. In Western markets they have a small but devoted following which falls very short of their main Japanese competitors. This limited following however is not a reflection on their quality as they are still highly regarded in this aspect.

In 1915 the Aircraft Research laboratory was founded by Chikuhei Nakajima and would be later renamed Nakajima Aircraft Company, Ltd. in 1932. After working on airplanes throughout the second world war the company again changed names to Fuji Sangyo Co, Ltd.

A series of divisions and mergers later by 1950 the company became known as Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI). The CEO at that time Kenji Kita wanted to get into auto manufacturing with the first project being dubbed P-1. Kita canvassed the company for name ideas but nothing seemed to fit.

Eventually Kita had an idea to use a name that he cherished, the Japanese name for the constellation Pleiades, Subaru. Also called the Seven Sisters the constellation is made up of 6 stars, the seventh by legend supposedly being invisible. This is why the Subaru logo features six stars. It also alludes to the six companies that merged to create FHI.

The first official Subaru car then was the Subaru 1500 of which only 20 were built due to supply issues after the war. Subsequent models included the 360, Sambar and the 1000. The 1000 would be the first model to feature the Subaru boxer engine, a design that has endured through the brand's history.

So we come to the question: can you get any towing capacity out of the vehicles from this Japanese auto manufacturer? Well the answer is yes Subaru does have something to offer us as they have established a reputation for well made vehicles some of which have high-end power.

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s most models were limited in what they could tow to between 1,500 to 2,000 lbs. of pulling power. In 2003 The Subaru Outback came along a more rugged SUV type vehicle which could tow up to 2,400 lbs.

In 2005 the Outback's capacity had increased to 3,000 lbs of towing power with the Subaru Legacy also offering up to 2,700 lbs. of capacity. When we get to more modern models we get to the Subaru Ascent which has a maximum towing rate of 5,000 lbs. which is not bad for an SUV.

It should be noted that you should check the rating for your specific model and year and be aware you may need a towing package fitted to the car.