How Much Can You Tow with Each 2026 Acura SUV?
If you're shopping for a premium SUV and towing matters to you, the numbers on paper are only part of the story. You also need to know which Acura models are built for it, which ones come with options that change the equation, and which one is the wrong tool for that job entirely. The 2026 Acura SUV lineup spans three distinct vehicles: the ADX, the RDX, and the MDX. Each one serves a different kind of buyer, and their towing stories are just as different.
This guide breaks down what each 2026 Acura SUV can and cannot tow, based on published specifications. If you're hauling a trailer, a small boat, or a utility load on a regular basis, the choice between these three vehicles is not a close call. Here's what you need to know before you decide.
| Model | Towing Capacity | Towing Package Required |
|---|---|---|
| ADX | Not rated for towing | Not applicable |
| RDX | 1,499 lbs (680 kg) | Yes, dealer-installed |
| MDX | 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg) or 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) | Yes, dealer-installed |
1. The 2026 Acura ADX: Built for the City, Not the Hitch
The ADX is Acura's subcompact SUV, and it delivers strong technology, refinement, and all-wheel drive performance in a compact footprint. What it does not do is tow. The ADX is not rated for towing, and Acura's Owner's Manual documentation explicitly prohibits the installation of a hitch on this vehicle.
This is not a spec gap or a missing figure. It is a documented restriction. The ADX was engineered for a specific purpose: confident, premium urban and suburban driving with a 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing up to 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with AWD and a CVT. Adding a trailer to that equation falls outside the vehicle's design parameters.
If light utility or towing flexibility is on your list of must-haves, the ADX is not the right fit for that particular need. It excels at everything else it was built to do.
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, up to 190 hp
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with Intelligent Control System
Towing rating: None. Hitch installation is prohibited per Owner's Manual documentation.
2. The 2026 Acura RDX: Light Towing with a Polished Package
The RDX is Acura's five-passenger luxury crossover, and it does carry a towing rating. With the available accessory towing package installed by the dealer, the 2026 RDX is rated to tow up to 1,499 lbs (680 kg) across all three trim levels: RDX, RDX A-SPEC, and RDX Platinum Elite A-SPEC.
That capacity puts the RDX in the range for small utility trailers, lightweight recreational equipment, or a compact cargo hauler. It is not a heavy-hauler, but for buyers whose towing needs are modest and infrequent, the RDX delivers that ability without compromising anything it does as a daily driver.
The RDX runs a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged engine producing up to 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and SH-AWD on all trims. The towing package is a dealer-installed accessory available at additional cost. Consult the Owner's Manual for proper towing operation and requirements.
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, up to 272 hp, 280 lb-ft of torque
Drivetrain: Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) on all trims
Towing rating: 1,499 lbs (680 kg), all trims, with accessory towing package
3. The 2026 Acura MDX: The Serious Towing Option in the Lineup
If towing capacity is a genuine factor in your decision, the MDX is the answer. Acura's three-row, seven-passenger flagship SUV offers two towing configurations depending on the package selected: up to 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg) or up to 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg). Both options are available across all four MDX trim levels, including the MDX SH-AWD Tech, MDX SH-AWD A-SPEC, MDX SH-AWD Platinum Elite A-SPEC, and the MDX SH-AWD Type S Ultra.
At 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg), the MDX can manage a mid-size boat, a loaded camping trailer, or a small utility load with confidence. That puts it in genuine working-SUV territory while still delivering the seven-passenger cabin, V6 performance, and Acura's suite of standard safety and driver assistance technology.
The MDX SH-AWD Tech, A-SPEC, and Platinum Elite A-SPEC trims are powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The Type S Ultra steps up to a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 generating 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. All trims use a 10-speed automatic transmission and SH-AWD. As with the RDX, the towing package on the MDX is a dealer-installed accessory available at additional cost, and proper towing operation requires consulting the Owner's Manual.
| MDX Trim | Engine | Max Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| SH-AWD Tech | 3.5 L V6, 290 hp | 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg) or 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| SH-AWD A-SPEC | 3.5 L V6, 290 hp | 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg) or 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| SH-AWD Platinum Elite A-SPEC | 3.5 L V6, 290 hp | 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg) or 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
| SH-AWD Type S Ultra | 3.0 L turbo V6, 355 hp | 3,000 lbs (1,360.8 kg) or 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) |
Which 2026 Acura SUV Is Right for Your Towing Needs?
The right model depends on what you're actually pulling.
If towing is not a factor in your daily driving, the ADX or the RDX may serve your needs well on every other dimension. The ADX is the most efficient and most urban-focused of the three, while the RDX brings a stronger engine, a more premium feel, and light towing ability into a compact five-passenger package.
If you need genuine hauling capacity, the MDX is the only Acura SUV that delivers it. The gap between 1,499 lbs (680 kg) on the RDX and 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) on the MDX is substantial. A mid-size boat, a loaded camp trailer, or a utility payload that exceeds 1,500 lbs requires the MDX and the appropriate accessory package.
For buyers weighing both passenger space and towing in the same vehicle, the MDX Type S Ultra adds 355 hp to the mix alongside the same 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) tow rating, making it the top-tier option in the lineup for drivers who want performance and utility in the same package.
Compare the 2026 Acura SUV Lineup at Acura of Hamilton
The team at Acura of Hamilton in Hamilton is ready to walk you through each model, explain the available towing packages, and help you determine which 2026 Acura SUV fits your specific needs. Stop in to compare the RDX and MDX side by side, or reach out to the team ahead of your visit to get your questions answered before you arrive.
