2025 Volvo Summer Towing Guide: Choosing the Right Model for Your Needs

Summer adventures call for the right vehicle to handle your towing requirements. At Volvo Cars Mississauga, we understand that finding the perfect balance of power, efficiency, and towing capacity is essential for your summer plans. This comprehensive guide examines the towing capabilities across the entire 2025 Volvo lineup, helping you identify the ideal model for hauling boats, campers, and recreational equipment during the warmer months.

Unbraked Towing Capacity

All 2025 Volvo models offer consistent unbraked towing capacity of 750 kg (1,653 lb). This standardized capacity simplifies your decision-making process, allowing you to focus on the maximum braked towing capacity that aligns with your specific summer recreational needs.

XC90: The Premium Towing Champion

The 2025 XC90 stands out as Volvo's towing powerhouse with exceptional capacity across both available powertrains. You get identical maximum braked towing capacity of 2,250 kg (4,960 lb) with either the B6 Mild Hybrid or T8 Plug-in Hybrid system. This makes the XC90 particularly suited for larger boats, campers, and trailers during summer excursions.

The B6 Mild Hybrid delivers 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, providing consistent pulling power through its AWD system. The T8 Plug-in Hybrid combines a turbocharged engine with electric propulsion for a combined 455 hp and impressive 523 lb-ft of torque, giving you extra confidence when tackling hilly terrain with heavier loads.

EX90: Electric Towing Excellence

The all-electric EX90 brings strong towing credentials to the electric SUV segment with 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) of braked towing capacity. This fully electric performance comes from dual electric motors generating 510 hp and 671 lb-ft of instantaneous torque, delivered through a standard AWD system. The 111 kWh battery pack provides ample range for summer road trips while towing most recreational equipment.

The EX90's towing prowess makes it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious drivers who need substantial towing capability. Fast-charging capabilities with up to 250 kW DC charging ensure minimal stopover time during summer journeys with your trailer in tow.

XC60: Mid-Size Versatility

The 2025 XC60 offers impressive towing credentials in a more compact package. Both the B5 Mild-Hybrid and T8 plug-in hybrid variants provide the same maximum braked towing capacity of 1,580 kg (3,483 lb). This positions the XC60 as an ideal summer towing vehicle for mid-sized boats, compact campers, and utility trailers.

The B5 Mild-Hybrid generates 247 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque through its turbocharged powertrain, while the T8 plug-in hybrid delivers substantially more power with 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of combined output. The T8's electric-only range of 58 km allows for emission-free local driving once you've reached your summer destination.

XC40: Compact Towing Capability

The XC40 offers surprising towing capacity for its compact crossover footprint. With the B5 Mild-Hybrid powertrain, you get braked towing capacity of 1,600 kg (3,527 lb)—actually exceeding the larger XC60 by a small margin. This makes the XC40 an exceptional choice for urban dwellers who need occasional towing capability for summer adventures.

The B5 powertrain delivers 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, providing confident acceleration even with trailers in tow.

Electric Crossovers: EX40 and EC40

Volvo's electric crossover twins offer identical towing specifications across their lineup. Both the EX40 and EC40 provide braked towing capacity of 900 kg (1,984 lb) regardless of whether you choose the Single Motor RWD or Twin Motor AWD configuration. This capacity makes them suitable for lightweight towing needs such as small watercraft or compact utility trailers.

The Twin Motor AWD variants deliver 402 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque, while the Single Motor RWD versions provide 248 hp and 310 lb-ft—all with the instant response characteristic of electric powertrains. Their electric range between 418-480 km provides ample capacity for summer weekend getaways.

EX30: Compact Electric Utility

The smallest member of Volvo's electric family still delivers respectable towing capabilities for its size. Both Single Motor and Twin Motor configurations of the EX30 provide 900 kg (1,984 lb) of braked towing capacity, matching its larger EX40 and EC40 siblings despite its more compact dimensions.

The Twin Motor variant impresses with 422 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, making it particularly capable when towing on varied terrain. Even the Single Motor version offers 268 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque, providing more than adequate pulling power for most light towing applications.

V Series: Wagon Versatility

The 2025 V60 Cross Country and V90 Cross Country wagons present identical towing capabilities, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your other needs. Indeed, both the 2025 Volvo V90 Cross Country and V60 Cross Country can tow up to 900 kg (1,984 lb) despite their size and powertrain differences.

Both wagons feature standard AWD systems that enhance traction and stability when towing in varied summer conditions. The V90 Cross Country delivers 295 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque with its B6 mild-hybrid powertrain, while the V60 Cross Country provides 247 hp and 258 lb-ft with its B5 powertrain.

Summer Towing Considerations

When selecting your ideal Volvo for summer towing, consider not just the maximum capacity but also the nature of your typical cargo. Boats require consideration of launch ramp grade and water conditions, while campers need assessment of aerodynamic impact on fuel economy and range.

The mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid models offer outstanding efficiency for summer road trips while maintaining robust towing capacities. The electric models deliver instantaneous torque ideal for towing, though planning charging stops becomes more important when towing affects range.

Your ideal Volvo towing vehicle depends on several factors beyond raw capacity: frequency of towing, typical load weight, driving conditions, and desired features all play important roles in making the right selection for your summer adventures. Visit Volvo Cars Mississauga today to discuss your specific towing requirements and test drive the model that best suits your summer plans.