2020 Acura MDX towing capacity
Max tow rating
5,000lb
- SH-AWD, 3.5L 6cyl.
- Base trim: 3,500 lb.
- Top 35% of 120 SUVs (2020).
Trailer check
Yes. 4,000 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 4,000 lb
- Margin
- 1,000 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- 94% of 4,239 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 13-18 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 4,000 lb
- Hitch class at max
- III, up to 8,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 5,000 lb: SH-AWD, $46,500.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SH-AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,389 lb | 4,239 lb | $46,500 |
| SH-AWD w/Technology Pkg AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,414 lb | 4,264 lb | $51,500 |
| SH-AWD with Technology Package | N/A | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,275 lb | $51,500 |
| SH-AWD with Technology and Entertainment Package | N/A | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,275 lb | $53,500 |
| SH-AWD 6-Passenger w/Technology/Entertainment Pkg | 3.5L | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,266 lb | $53,500 |
| SH-AWD with Technology and A-SPEC Package | N/A | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,275 lb | $55,000 |
| SH-AWD 7-Passenger w/Technology/A-Spec Pkg | 3.5L | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,275 lb | $55,000 |
| SH-AWD w/Advance Pkg AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,453 lb | 4,303 lb | $58,250 |
| SH-AWD with Advance Package | N/A | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,275 lb | $58,250 |
| SH-AWD with Advance and Entertainment Package | N/A | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,275 lb | $60,250 |
| SH-AWD 7-Passenger w/Advance/Entertainment Pkg | 3.5L | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,350 lb | $60,250 |
| SH-AWD PMC Edition | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,453 lb | 4,303 lb | $61,750 |
| SH-AWD w/Technology & A-Spec Pkgs AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,425 lb | 4,275 lb | N/A |
| SH-AWD w/Advance & Entertainment Pkgs AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,500 lb | 4,350 lb | N/A |
| SH-AWD w/Technology & Entertainment Pkgs AWD | 3.5L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,416 lb | 4,266 lb | N/A |
| FWD | 3.5L 6cyl | FWD | 3,500 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,182 lb | 4,032 lb | $44,500 |
| FWD with Technology Package | N/A | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,054 lb | $49,500 |
| FWD 7-Passenger w/Technology Pkg | 3.5L | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,054 lb | $49,500 |
| FWD with Advance Package | N/A | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,054 lb | $56,250 |
| FWD 6-Passenger w/Advance Pkg | 3.5L | FWD | 3,500 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,090 lb | $56,250 |
| Advance Pkg FWD | 3.5L 6cyl | FWD | 3,500 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,240 lb | 4,090 lb | N/A |
| Technology Pkg FWD | 3.5L 6cyl | FWD | 3,500 lb | 1,150 lb | 5,204 lb | 4,054 lb | N/A |
No rating listed: 2 trims.
Max rating by year
- Changed in 2014: 5,000 lb to 3,500 lb.
- Changed in 2018: 3,500 lb to 5,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaguar F PACE | 5,291 lb | 25t AWD | $45,200 |
| Acura MDX (this car) | 5,000 lb | SH-AWD | $46,500 |
| Acura MDX Sport Hybrid | 5,000 lb | SH-AWD 7-Passenger | $46,500 |
| Honda Pilot | 5,000 lb | Touring AWD | $44,720 |
| INFINITI QX60 | 5,000 lb | PURE FWD | $44,350 |
| Cadillac XT5 | 3,500 lb | Premium Luxury FWD | $48,795 |
| Lexus RX | 3,500 lb | 350 FWD | $44,150 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree