New tow for 19

[Bill_75]

Originally Posted by sailor231

We are in the market for a new car for my wife, with plans to buy a 19 next year. This will be her daily driver around town with our baby and she wants something that isn't huge and trucky in the city. We are going to be test driving over the next month or two and shopping year end deals. I am looking for input on towing, especially over the passes here in WA. Currently the top 3 are the highlander, pilot and sorento.

We have a 2016 Highlander XLE we use to tow our 21. I really like the car, but towing the trailer through WA, OR and CA in the mountains, I was a little uncomfortable cranking up the RPMs to get it over some passes. It's a compromise, comfortable dual purpose vs. less comfortable and more power. I'd do it again, get the Highlander for towing, that is.

[sailor231]

We are 90% set on a pilot, but are waiting for a 2017 based on rumors of an improved software in the radio system and having a newer model for resale down the line.

[Bobo]

I'm sure you do not want to hear this, but we tow our 19' Escape with a Toyota Sequoia, 5.7, and it is wonderful. We live in Central Oregon, climb passes continually with no problem. It's a bit large, but a great turning radius, and very comfortable. I park it in SF and Portland all the time.
Bob-o

[Losangeles]

My mechanic said the Toyota Sequoia has one of the best, and also one of the most tried and true engines around.

FWIIW

YMMV

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Losangeles

My mechanic said the Toyota Sequoia has one of the best, and also one of the most tried and true engines around.

Tundras have the same engines (plus some other choices in some years), because a Sequoia is an SUV version of a Tundra.

2001-2009 Sequoia: 2UZ-FE (4.7 L V8)
2010-2012 Sequoia: 1UR-FE (4.6 L V8)
2008-current Sequoia: 3UR-FE (5.7 L V8)

All of these have been available in the Tundra, as well as some V6 engines.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by Bill_75

We use a 2016 Highlander XLE to tow our 21. If you get the XLE you have the option of bench seats(vs. captains chairs) for the 2nd row(one of our requirements(when 1/2 the bench folded down, acts as a desk)). The bench seats do fold flat.

That's good to know. I may have to look again- sales person did not know that but it was a Kia dealership so maybe they didn't want me to know!

[sailor231]

We drove a first gen (2004) sequoia early in our search and it was too truckish for my wife. I have driven a newer tundra and am not a fan as well, I preferred the older smaller one. I know a sequoia would be a better tow vehicle, but would not be fun to drive around Seattle the 90% of days we are not towing.

I am intrigued by the new VW Atlas but there are no specs or release dates available yet and it will likely be less reliable with lower resale than a honda. I expect a nicer interior and better driving feedback, but not sure it will be worth the wait or cost.

[Bobbie54]

Originally Posted by WStatz

I'm towing a 2nd gen 19 with a 2017 Ridgeline. As long as you get an AWD model, there is not much else to do to the vehicle, other than installing the brake controller. I purchased the controller recommended by ETI and installation, using a separately purchased cable, was plug and play. (Some people have mentioned having to place a fuse but that wasn't the case for my vehicle.) Towing with ETI's recommended WDH was smooth and the set up straight forward. (The manufacture's video is pretty decent.) Our trailer was delivered, so we didn't have the advantage of first time set up with ETI at Chilliwack. I would suspect a similar experience with the Pilot.

What's your overall impression of the Ridgeline? How does it drive? (Like a car or like a truck?)

[sailor231]

We changed plans and bough a lightly used Q7 TDI, 400 ft-lb from 1800 rpm and 6600lb tow rating should have no issues when we get a trailer. Friends have an older one and have seen 20+ mpg towing on the freeway.

[David H]

Originally Posted by sailor231

We changed plans and bough a lightly used Q7 TDI, 400 ft-lb from 1800 rpm and 6600lb tow rating should have no issues when we get a trailer. Friends have an older one and have seen 20+ mpg towing on the freeway.

I have a 2016 Touareg TDI the sister vehicle to the Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. I have been really happy with how it tows the 17B and gets an average of 24 mpg (imp gallon) towing and over 30 on the highway solo. The 2016 Touareg and 2015 and earlier Q7 share the same platform and powertrain. I'm sure you will be happy with it.

[WStatz]

Great choice! Happy trails.