Old European SUVs Make Better Tow Rigs Than Trucks?

[@kamleshaswani1762]

the initial x5 pictures showed an E70

[@KarmaTiger]

The early model XC90s had a 2.5 litre 5 cylinder single turbo putting out 208hp (B5254T2) and a 2.9 litre 6 cylinder biturbo putting out 268hp (B6294T) - two different engines. Your own website, FCP Euro, lists them both. Only the biturbo in the T6 model used the 4 speed 4T65EV/GT GM transmission. The 2.5 litre used a 5 speed Aisin-Warner AW 55-50SN transmission which, keen eyes will note, is NOT the GM transmission. You showed the wrong engine in your footage - one that does not use the GM transmission - when complaining about the GM transmission and only mentioned a "turbo engine", which would make people think the inline 5 has the same problems as the '03 - '05 T6 model. This is quite misleading and would make people unfamiliar with the P2 platform XC90 think that all turbo model XC90s had the GM transmission.

[@nonoiscool98]

The XC90 V8s is one of those if you know you know kinda cars. One time Dad and I went to a hummer at carmax and he noticed this dark blue Volvo. I remember him saying something about, "I never knew Volvo made a V8." After taking the Volvo on a test drive. We noticed the throaty exhaust note and it's nimble but luxurious vibe. My Dad and I fell in love with it, and my Mom liked that it was safe and reliable. 200k miles later it is still running, but needed some love. I own it now, because I loved the car so much Anyways as for towing, it has towed quite a lot of things actually. All of them smaller and under the 5000lb limit. However it was confident, and likely could tow more. However European suvs just aren't built for high payload and tongue weight. So really 5000lbs is not too far behind other crossovers. If you want luxury and towing I'd get a top trim 3500. Otherwise for smaller stuff, any Diesel or V8 Euro will do the job very well.

[@rossbats]

No mention of the touareg which is the vw version of the Porsche Cayenne. Better value for money.

[@fcpeuro]

Anything from that entire platform, you cant go wrong. Nathan just has his Bias towards the Twin Turbo Powah, Treg's are just as capable!

[@rossbats]

@@fcpeuro only Americans can afford to run twin turbo euro car's with today's fuel 🥴🤣

[@Moondoggy1941]

@@rossbats Ca. is catching up to pain other countries are experiencing. My Lexus GX 470 takes about 150 dollars to fill and go around 240 miles.

[@42green]

I just towed Touareg home with a Touareg and U-Haul Auto Transport. Both 2004 V8s. Getting closer to the max tow rating. (2210 trailer + 5200 t-reg) it did pretty well. Not something I’d tow all the time but to haul around my Miata or Boxster, especially on a lighter trailer no issue.

[@michaelschmitt9366]

Audi Q5 & Q7 3.0 TDI: buckets of torque (425ftlb) many with post-diesel-gate services have new particulate filters and their warranty extension (6yr/125k) have helped many with other simple known faults (ie: glow plugs). 38mpg on the highway and silky smooth (8 speed ZF as well)…

[@fcpeuro]

Can't go wrong with that Diesel setup especially with the heroic 8hp!

[@MyersRacingChannel]

My 18' Q7 3.0T tows better than my 5.0 F150 did. These are all very underestimated tow rigs 🤘🏻 Good stuff. Whens that ZF filter comes back in stock Ive got to tackle a 8 speed service on it.. 🤦‍♂️

[@tbh1444]

I have a '16 LR4 HSE Luxury, with the HD package. Other than general maintenance (brakes, rotors, fluids etc.), one mouse-chewed wire, and a leaky sunroof drain, it has been the perfect truck.

[@fcpeuro]

Sounds Perfect to us tbh TBH

[@JustinCFC]

Random note: all of the pictures of the X5 were E70’s and discussed the F15 which was in the video. The X5 is definitely a great option though.

[@fcpeuro]

Ya we botched that one in the edit somehow. Good catch Justin!

[@JustinCFC]

@@fcpeuro hey it happens! Only reason I even noticed is because I built the E70, F15, and G05 😂

[@JustinCFC]

@@fcpeuro hey it happens! Only reason I even noticed is because I built the E70, F15, and G05 😂

[@joshuabarnes5757]

I came looking to say this. But in all honesty I like the look of the e70 better

[@willytheekid]

!!!DO NOT TOW WITH A XC90 V8 WITHOUT DOING THIS MOD!!! For some strange reason, Volvo DID NOT put an oil cooler on the V8's transmission!! (very odd as every other XC90 model has one...and this is the biggest/hottest motor??) ...go to a wreakers, grab a cheap 2nd hand trans oil cooler from another non V8 XC90 and it will just bolt right on!! (All the fittings are there!...Volvo just never added one for strange reason??) If you do NOT add a transmission oil cooler...the trans WILL over-heat in stop start traffic and just cook itself if towing a heavy load! (note...this is the only found flaw & highly recommended mod for the V8 XC90...they are friggin awesome!!) _(I own a 2009 XC90 V8 with 290,000k on the clock...still runs & looks like new! -> Volvo 4 life!)_ Kia Kaha ❤from Aotearoa/New Zealand

[@fcpeuro]

Very good insight willtheekid!

[@sportsworth]

I would add the 7700 lb rated Q7 to the list. I have 2018 with 3.0 liter supercharged and I tow a 4500-5000 lb trailer with ease. Only negative is the inability to use a weight distribution hitch, but a friction sway control works pretty well.

[@davidking3699]

The pick for a weekend tow vehicle is the E70 40d - twin turbo 6 cylinder diesel and the 8 speed gearbox - the later model G15 listed as no 2 in this list is still new enough to be getting into the mileage bracket when major work needs to be done - as any vehicles requires in it's midlife... suspension, etc. A good E70 has been shaken down and major work would have been done for the next 100k... if that work has not been done it is not a good one to buy... these also take an aftermarket tune well and become even bigger sleepers... I wouldn't worry about off-road... if you want to tow a serious trailer in serious off-road conditions, you are looking at the wrong market segment... something with solid axles, lift kits and big wheels is now on your shopping list

[@terrymarsh8094]

Thanks Nathan I really appreciate it I do like Volvo and Audi

[@fcpeuro]

The Volvo was the sleeper of the group for sure!

[@FastlifeTodd]

Gotta say interesting video. I had a 2018 F-150 3.5 EB and I now have a 2005 X5 3.0 and I’ve towed with both same trailer and load . There is nothing beats a truck when towing safely and effortlessly. In my situation the 3.0 of the X5 is gutless and that’s not what I’m referring any vehicle can get the load moving stopping and safely maneuvering is way different and all of the SUV do not have a brake controller . Most trucks with tow package have that standard . I added a Echo Smart to the X5 .

[@jamescampbell4334]

The 4.4L has 50% more torque then the 3.0L. That has a major effect on towing capacity.

[@lalitkishore2979]

Yes that sounds right, alot of cayennes come with brake controller wiring though if they have the towing package, and it's easy to install the controller.

[@carlosocintron]

Nice but missed the Toureg and the Audi Q7 .

[@snowmansilver3596]

Where dat Q7 TDI at? Whole reason why I bought mine was to yank the boat while getting good fuel economy.

[@fcpeuro]

Cant go wrong the a TDI Q7 for this criteria either Snowman Silver!

[@marcusjosefsson4998]

I'd say the most popular towing vehicle in Sweden is the P3 XC70 D5 AWD.

[@Nissannx2000svg]

I own a 958 GTS with the towing package and it’s an amazing vehicle

[@fcpeuro]

Truly is towing in Luxury Mr JKL

[@jan-oleeismann6079]

The Mercedes ML was also available with a V8 Diesel (ML420). Though i don´t know if it maybe wasn´t sold on your side of the Atlantic.

[@fcpeuro]

We never get the cool stuff here Jan-Ole Eismann...

[@devo1977s]

This is very true, my wife's 15 audi q7 3.0 super Quatro can tow 6600 lbs. My 04 dodge 1500 5.7 rwd can tow 7850. The biggest difference is my wife's car has street tires on it and trust me even with the Pirellis it's still very capable off road, My dodge on the other hand has rough Terrain Firestones on 20" rims with a 6" lift and can run over alot more plus it can handle 21 80 lb bags of concrete mix and fit plywood with ease. But I still love driving my wifes Audi off road it's just ridiculously comfortable

[@fcpeuro]

All the things you mentioned are certainly things to consider when shopping around for the right tow rig. Dont get us wrong Trucks have a place in this world, but man does it feel good to tow in some German Luxury 😂

[@devo1977s]

@@fcpeuro absolutely

[@Moondoggy1941]

The Volvo V8 is built by Yamaha.

[@fcpeuro]

That it is Carson! We go into that a bit in our P2 Buyer's Guide.

[@johnathonmcalister6645]

Your prices seem to be a bit out of touch with the current used car prices - used car prices have been soaring. My '09 Cayenne GTS was $17k when I bought it 2-3 years ago - and now looks to go for about $25k - even with the 40k miles I put on it since I bought it. The 7700 lb towing capacity (class 3 hitch) can easily tow pretty much any 24' RV trailer with capacity to spare (recommendation is to not exceed 80% or so, to have enough power to handle hills or to pass semis). My daughter's '13 XC90 is an inline 6, and I would not recommend towing with it (although I think it can handle deeper water than the my Cayenne - it's built like a boat). It also gets about 50% better MPG .

[@ulisg6040]

X5 E70 diesel is the best!!! F15 looks like girl car…

[@Ren200Z_MotoringLife]

forgot the w163 ml430 or ml500

[@thomaswilhelm3457]

XC90 fails in everything which has electricity running through it. Best engine/trans combo is the 5 cylinder.

[@ATStone]

You said F15 and its corresponding years, but then showed some E70s.

[@zhaoyangxie]

Hahaha I was thinking that. And I dont think anyone should be recommended to get the 50i from the E70 generation

[@fcpeuro]

@@zhaoyangxie Whoops editor has been shunned, not sure how we didnt catch those ones!

[@Moondoggy1941]

7:53 How to fix that, get a full tank of gas, turn the floor heater, close all the windows and open one window 1 inch, run car for at least 4 hours check for dampness. If seats are dry then turn on the seat heaters.

[@fcpeuro]

That helped for the interior, unfortunately the fans didn't help straighten out the bent rod...😅

[@johnathonmcalister6645]

Doesn't help with the hydrolock - it was sad to hear the banging of the engine, until it died.

[@joseacuna3239]

The Discovery is my go to SUV, the XC90 is a nightmare from what I’ve seen in the shops and I’m afraid of the Porsche and BMW

[@fcpeuro]

Disco owner afraid of the Porsche!? They are right at home with each other and their potential problems 😁

[@PazLeBon]

was just about to buy a taureg but just borrowed my mates range rover... now i doubt i will buy the taureg :/. own bmw's but the x5 has soo many issues, gearbox , electrics etc so scare me The Porsche, even rich folk cry when it has a problem :) lets jst say 10 x the cost of most other cars lol

[@paperandmedals8316]

Sounds nice on a video, I don’t want to be broken down on the road with my tow. Some lousy reliability ratings noted, and that’s not factoring in your towing. I’ll stick with a simpler truck that I don’t need dealer software to work on.

[@fcpeuro]

Complexity is certainly the name of the game with a lot of these Luxury SUV's so cant blame you there. That said when they are well maintained, and working right - cant beat it!

[@paperandmedals8316]

@@fcpeuro that can be said for anything. They’re all second or last choice options when you have Toyota or vehicles defined to tow American loads.

[@lijax9606]

forgot the L322 Range rover

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Great video.. Even though the only manufacturer on this list, I would spring for is a is a Porsche(I'd rather get the Macan, although it doesn't tow as much). But for towing, I have my Lexus GX.

[@fcpeuro]

Come on Kiss Kiss, plenty of good options here! The Macan is cute and has its pros, but something about the size of the Cayenne feels just right with a trailer behind it.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

@@fcpeuro My thing is this list shouldn't have rigs which sure, they can tow, but it wouldn't matter if the rig itself is dead. Due to it being unreliable... But I think what you're saying is, Sure, you've got options..

[@Chris-rs3dj]

Major fail on the pictures. Said w164 but showed all w166, said E70 but showed all F15. Who made this crap?

[@danielrd7493]

And then they start talking about the G chassis for the X5, when they're showing the E70. For towing with an X5, I'd recommend the 35d for either the E70 or F15, without the airbag rear suspension.

[@Chris-rs3dj]

@@danielrd7493 Yup. What a joke from someone who sells euro parts.

[@ThreeBrokenBenzes]

ML63 AMG

[@Youtuber83169]

I flooded my Cayenne to😢

[@fcpeuro]

nuuuuuhhh!

[@mikeoz01]

Really? You include sub 7000 lb volve's and bmw's and nelglect to include the supercharged Audi Q7's with a 7800 lb caopacity??

[@DryUrEyesMate]

X5 has the worst gearbox for towing, I know people that have had 3 x5 all with gearbox failure

[@fcpeuro]

👀

[@zexiali6483]

A FORD F1FIDDY FIV-O V8

[@ptewilks2634]

V8 cayenne

[@jarrydhill1243]

Range Rover?

[@chuckclark6162]

The video title is the BEST, not the worst.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly soon all combustion cars including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.!!!! (BABBVEN LAWS AND TEBBVEN ORDERS)