Honda Towing Capacity: Lowest and Highest Rated

March 12th, 2026 by

Ever wonder which Honda would be best for pulling a small trailer for a weekend project or a quick getaway? Before you plan a run down Route 1 or load up for a day out, it’s important to know which Hondas sold in the US are and aren’t rated for trailer towing. 

Below is a breakdown of what Honda vehicles can (and can’t) do, and the current Honda vehicles that fit the bill when it comes to towing.

honda civic family of vehicles

Honda Civics and Towing: A Quick Reality Check

If towing with a Honda Civic is on your mind, you’re not alone: it’s actually a pretty common question. Here are a few quick facts to help you tow with confidence (and avoid any surprises):

The Civic is a smart pick for commuting, errands, and cargo flexibility, but Honda does not publish a US towing capacity rating for the Civic for any package in current official specs. So if towing is a necessary part of your plan, you’ll want to step up to a Honda SUV, truck, or minivan designed for that.

What can you do on Civics instead? Many drivers use their Civics for hitch-mounted accessories (like a bike rack or cargo carrier). Just be sure to follow Honda guidance for your specific model year and equipment

Honda Vehicles That Can Tow (and how much)

If your lifestyle includes towing a small utility trailer, a lightweight camper, or recreation gear, here are the current Honda models with towing capability and their max ratings.

A quick note on “when properly equipped”

Towing ratings almost always assume the vehicle has the right towing equipment installed (hitch, wiring, accessories) and that you’re staying within all weight limits (including passengers and cargo in the vehicle). If you tell us what you’re towing, we can help point you toward the right Honda, and the right setup.

Light-Duty Towing (1000 to 1500 lbs)

These are ideal if you occasionally need towing help without moving into a larger SUV. Think: small utility trailer, light DIY runs, or hauling recreation gear before meeting friends near University Station on University Ave.

As a comparison, the Honda CR-V (gas or hybrid) and the Honda Prologue are all two-row SUVs with seating for five, but they feel different in size and space. The CR-V is the more compact, easy-to-park option with a strong balance of passenger room and everyday cargo versatility (with the hybrid typically giving up a bit of cargo room versus gas).

The Prologue is larger overall with a roomier, more midsize feel, which is great if you want extra presence and passenger space, although its behind-the-second-row cargo space can be smaller than you might expect.

Family and Gear Towing (3500 to 5000 lbs)

These are strong fits for bigger family needs. Like hauling more substantial gear for weekends around New England (and still having room for passengers, cargo, and comfort).

  • How much can a Honda Odyssey tow? Up to 3,500 lbs when equipped with a Honda dealer-installed accessory towing package³
  • How much can a Honda Pilot tow? Up to 5,000 lbs on AWD trims (and up to 3,500 lbs on 2WD trims), when properly equipped⁴

If you need three-row space, both the Honda Odyssey and Honda Pilot are family favorites. However, they’re built for slightly different lifestyles.

The Odyssey is a minivan with 8-person seating and flexible cargo room which expands dramatically when you fold seats down. That makes it a go-to for carpools, road trips, and big-haul weekends.

The Pilot is a three-row SUV that seats 7 or 8 (depending on trim), with a more rugged, SUV-style feel but less storage space behind the third row. This is great when you want family space plus a higher ride height.

Honda’s Top Tow Ratings (5000 lbs)

If towing is central to your lifestyle (e.g., utility trailers, heavier recreation setups, and frequent hauling) below are Honda’s heavy hitters.

  • How much can a Honda Passport tow? Up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped⁵
  • How much can a Honda Ridgeline tow? Up to 5,000 lbs (maximum towing capacity), when properly equipped⁶

If you’re deciding between the Honda Passport and Honda Ridgeline, both carry 5 passengers and are built for gear-heavy weekends, but they do carry things differently.

The Passport is a rugged two-row SUV with a big, enclosed cargo area which is great for keeping luggage, sports gear, or shopping protected from the elements.

The Ridgeline is a crew-cab pickup that trades enclosed cargo for an easy-load truck bed and storage, making it the better fit when you’re hauling bulky items that don’t belong inside the cabin.

Need a Honda that can tow? We’ll help you match the right one.

If you’ve been shopping for Hondas  but realized towing matters, we’ll make it simple to compare options like the CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Prologue based on what you actually need to pull and how you’ll use it day to day.

Stop by Nucar Honda of Norwood at 279 Boston Providence Hwy, Norwood, MA 02062, or reach out to our team to talk towing capacity, accessories, and the best Honda for your towing lifestyle. 

Everyone loves a Nucar.

 

Footnotes (sources)
  1. Honda Newsroom – 2026 Honda CR-V Specifications & Features (towing: gas 1,500 lbs / hybrid 1,000 lbs): https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-2ecca7d29f72bf212c56033cca000993-2026-honda-cr-v-specifications-features-updated
  2. Honda Newsroom – 2026 Honda Prologue Specifications & Features (maximum towing capacity 1,500 lbs): https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-e5d30c25af38c0c6604e43e79c015883-2026-honda-prologue-specifications-features
  3. Honda Info Center – 2026 Honda Odyssey “Powerful Towing Capability” (3,500 lbs with dealer-installed accessory towing package): https://www.hondainfocenter.com/2026/Odyssey/Feature-Guide/Engine-Chassis-Features/Powerful-Towing-Capability/
  4. Honda Newsroom – 2026 Honda Pilot Specifications & Features (AWD 5,000 lbs / 2WD 3,500 lbs): https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/release-14c469388b7fed5af247fc02e2009aa7-2026-honda-pilot-specifications-features
  5. Honda Info Center – 2026 Honda Passport “Towing Capacity” (maximum 5,000 lbs): https://www.hondainfocenter.com/2026/Passport/Feature-Guide/Engine-Chassis-Features/Towing-Capacity/
  6. Honda Newsroom – 2026 Honda Ridgeline Specifications & Features (maximum towing capacity 5,000 lbs): https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-cc341be273b56f82f9ccdc8fe2000550-2026-honda-ridgeline-specifications-features
Posted in Compare Models, Research