1000 at an absolute minimum. Need to be able to tow a light camper. Seating for two is fine. So far, the Crosstrek from Subaru and the CX-5 from Mazda have been found. If MINI would say 1000 lbs, they would have a very interested party. What am I missing, preferably under 25k, and capable of 30 highway?
S197
Yep S197.
Oddly, the American passenger cars will do this, while no foreign will.
Cruze, Dart, and Fusion tow 1k.
Tiguan. Tacoma. Frontier. But none of those get close to 30.
Check tow ratings in Europe, not the US where its assumed you're a complete idiot and should buy a truck.
EvanR wrote: Oddly, the American passenger cars will do this, while no foreign will.
Nothing odd about it, American passenger cars tend to be bigger and heavier than foreign ones which makes them better for towing 
Ford Escape
GameboyRMH wrote:EvanR wrote: Oddly, the American passenger cars will do this, while no foreign will.Nothing odd about it, American passenger cars tend to be bigger and heavier than foreign ones which makes them better for towing
Odd statement.
My 2300lb Saturn is rated to tow 1000lbs. It is lighter than any foreign car I've ever owned. It also gets 30mpg pretty easily... not that I'd recommend it for this application.
I think any mid-size or larger car will reasonably and safely tow 2000lb, at least outside of mountainous areas, if the driver uses caution. IMO passenger car tow ratings in the U.S. are more about liability than physics.
I had a 1999 Accord (4cyl, 5spd) that would tow an 1800-2000lb boat/trailer combo just fine, at least in flat FL.
DaveEstey wrote: Ford Escape
Yes, but be careful how the hitch is mounted. We had a Mazda Tribute, which back then was the same car as an Escape. The lever arm that reaches forward from the hitch bolted to sheet-metal under the trunk. It eventually fatigued and tore out.
I prefer the hitches that bolt to the subframe, or at least to the double/triple folded longitudinal members on either side of the gas tank.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: Check tow ratings in Europe, not the US where its assumed you're a complete idiot and should buy a truck.
No kidding. Although it's good to make sure that that there are no significant chassis differences and that things like spring rates and brakes are indeed the same between the US and Europe specifications. Also make peace with the idea of insurance/warranty claims potentially being denied if something were to inadvertently go wrong while doing so, as well as being further exposed personally to litigation if it were to go really wrong.
Driven5 wrote:Kenny_McCormic wrote: Check tow ratings in Europe, not the US where its assumed you're a complete idiot and should buy a truck.Also make peace with the idea of insurance/warranty claims potentially being denied if something were to inadvertently go wrong while doing so, as well as being further exposed personally to litigation if it were to go really wrong.
^^^^this^^^^
also a DOT officer having a bad day might write you a very expensive ticket for towing over capacity.
MattGent wrote:DaveEstey wrote: Ford EscapeYes, but be careful how the hitch is mounted. We had a Mazda Tribute, which back then was the same car as an Escape. The lever arm that reaches forward from the hitch bolted to sheet-metal under the trunk. It eventually fatigued and tore out. I prefer the hitches that bolt to the subframe, or at least to the double/triple folded longitudinal members on either side of the gas tank.
Since this is a concern, get an Escape that has the tow package. That's what we have. When driving to work, it looks like I get 27-28mpg for a 35 mile commute. Long distance driving w/o trailer was showing over 30.
crown vics can tow a good amount and pull almost 30 on the hwy
NA Miata with an LS swap
TDI Jetta - rated for 2k#s. I get ~48 mpg not towing, 40 mpg towing the sailboat and approx 36 mpg towing the whaler. Worst I've done was ~27 mpg and that was Jetta, 4 people, whaler, and dive gear/food/supplies for 4 days in the keys cruising at 80 mph. In hindsight, all that gear @ 80 mph wasn't the safest idea but we we're in a hurry. Nowadays I normally don't cruise above 70 with the boat.
Guys, it's worth mentioning that tow ratings are also higher in Europe because in general, their trailers are designed for less tongue weight, which makes them less stable but puts less strain on the tow vehicle. More of their trailers are required to have brakes, too.
Mazda 6?
Escape with a tow package and the 2.0L Ecoboost is rated for 3500 lbs. That is your ticket.
Plus its a sharp looker and is basically a up-in-the-air Focus.
I'm thinking the Escape wins here if you can afford to go late model, but I can't say a CX-5 would be a bad thing either. FYI our '14 Maz6 has NO tow rating even though it shares a chassis with the cx-5 (or so I hear.) In the manual under towing it says "DO NOT TOW WITH THIS VEHICLE." 
EDIT: I went and compared the capacities on the respective websites. The Escape gets you 75% more towing for a 2mpg decrease and the same money. Ford wins. As a matter of fact, If I had to buy a vehicle right now, I'd be testing Escapes.
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