2026 Volvo XC60 vs. XC90 Towing Capacity

Volvo’s two most popular models are the XC60 and XC90. These are popular for a number of reasons, from the good looks to the exceptionally comfortable seats, but practicality is high on the list as well, and one of the areas where this is especially noticeable is towing capacity, where Volvo easily out-perform their competitors. The XC60 can tow 3,500 pounds, and the XC90 can tow 5,000 pounds, but there’s a bit more to consider when choosing which is best for your towing needs, which is why we put together this guide.

As you can see, both of the drivetrains offered in the XC60 are also available in the XC90, including the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) T8 drivetrain. You can also see that drivetrain choice makes no difference in towing capacity, and the model you choose is the only determining factor. There are still some performance differences to consider, though. The XC90 has one drivetrain option that isn’t available in the XC60: the B6. The B6 is noticeably more powerful than the B5, but since the XC90 is also bigger and heavier than the XC60, a B5-equipped XC60 and a B6-equipped XC90 will offer roughly the same acceleration. To illustrate, the XC60 B5 has a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds, while the XC90 B6 comes in at 6.4 seconds.

In choosing a drivetrain for your towing vehicle, there are a couple of other things to consider. While the T8 offers enormous power, towing will drain the battery much quicker than regular driving will, and you won’t necessarily have all of that power all the time once the battery drains. With the lighter XC60 and its lower towing capacity, the B5 provides more than adequate power, but anyone looking to tow heavier loads, especially if you’re going to be doing it frequently, would be better served with an XC90 and the B6 drivetrain.

Volvo Trailer Hitch

Both the XC60 and XC90 are available with Volvo’s clever retractable trailer hitch, which stows away completely out of sight at the push of a button, so as to not ruin the clean Scandinavian design of the back of the vehicle. The hitch is operated by a button in the cargo compartment, and costs roughly the same on both models.

FAQ

Can XC60 tow a camper?

Obviously, this very much depends on the type of camper. Pop-up, micro, and teardrop trailers should be no problem for the XC60. Travel trailers are another story. The XC60 can tow a smaller travel trailer, but midsize examples are going to be a job for the XC90, and the largest versions of the trailers generally require a pickup.

Is XC90 good for towing a boat?

The XC90 makes a great boat tow vehicle, assuming the boat isn’t too large. Boat trailers tend to be about 2,000 pounds at the largest, so boats under 3,000 pounds will be fine.

Does towing differ between trims?

What’s great about choosing a (gas-powered) Volvo as a tow vehicle is that trims and even drivetrains don’t make a difference in towing capacity. So you don’t have to fret about either missing out on feature you want or paying extra just to have more towing capacity.