Can the 2026 Lexus TX 500h Tow Your Snowmobile Trailer? Hybrid Towing Power Explained

Hybrid SUVs have earned a reputation for fuel efficiency and smooth power delivery, but can they handle real-world towing? If you're eyeing the 2026 Lexus TX 500h for weekend snowmobile trips or hauling gear across New Brunswick, you're probably wondering if its hybrid powertrain is up to the task. The TX 500h is engineered to tow up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) when properly equipped—more than enough for most snowmobile trailers, utility trailers, and small watercraft.

Why Hybrid SUVs Are Built to Tow

One of the most persistent misconceptions about hybrid vehicles is that they lack towing capability. In reality, many modern hybrid powertrains can deliver strong low-end torque and smooth power delivery, which can be a real advantage when pulling a trailer from a standstill or climbing grades. The TX 500h's parallel hybrid system pairs a turbocharged 2.4 L 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 366 horsepower and 409 lb-ft of torque. This torque output helps the TX 500h deliver strong response at lower speeds, giving you confident pulling power when accelerating with a trailer or starting on an incline.

The Lexus DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system further enhances towing performance by intelligently distributing power between the front and rear axles based on wheel speed, acceleration, and steering angle. This means better traction on slippery boat ramps, snow-covered driveways, or uneven terrain—exactly the conditions you'll face when loading or unloading a snowmobile trailer in Saint John.

Towing Capacity: What the Numbers Mean

The TX 500h’s maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) applies to models equipped with the optional Class IV towing receiver hitch. Without the hitch package, the TX 500h is not rated for towing. Here’s how that capacity typically compares with common recreational loads; actual weights vary depending on the trailer type, size, and equipment:

• Single snowmobile on a light trailer: Often in the range of about 360–540 kg (800–1,200 lbs) in total.
• Double snowmobile trailer: Commonly around 540–900 kg (1,200–2,000 lbs), and sometimes higher for enclosed or heavier aluminum trailers.
• Small utility trailer (loaded): Frequently falls between roughly 450–900 kg (1,000–2,000 lbs), depending on what you’re carrying.
• Small boat with trailer: Many light fishing boat and trailer combinations land in the 900–1,360 kg (2,000–3,000 lbs) range, with some larger setups exceeding that.”

Even with a well-equipped double snowmobile trailer, most typical setups remain comfortably within the TX 500h’s rated towing capacity when it is properly equipped with the Class IV hitch.

TX 500h vs. TX 350: Which Tows Better?

Both the TX 500h hybrid and TX 350 gas models share the same 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) maximum towing capacity when equipped with the Class IV hitch. However, the hybrid offers distinct advantages for towing:

The TX 500h delivers 92 lb-ft more torque, which translates to stronger acceleration when merging onto highways with a trailer in tow. The DIRECT4 system also provides more precise power distribution, improving stability and control on winding roads or in adverse weather. For drivers in New Brunswick who regularly tow in winter conditions, the hybrid's torque advantage and advanced AWD system make it the stronger choice.

Real-World Towing: What to Expect

As with any vehicle, fuel economy will drop when towing. In real-world conditions, many drivers can see consumption rise noticeably when pulling a moderate trailer (for example, something around 680 kg / 1,500 lbs), and it would not be unusual for combined figures to move into roughly the mid-teens L/100 km range, depending on speed, terrain, weather, and how heavily the SUV is loaded. That remains competitive with comparable non-hybrid SUVs and generally more efficient than larger body-on-frame trucks towing similar loads.

By comparison, non-hybrid SUVs with similar towing capacity often report real-world consumption in the mid- to high-teens L/100 km when towing, so the TX 500h’s hybrid system can help keep fuel use in check over a season of weekend trips.

Proper Towing Setup: Class IV Hitch and Tongue Weight

The Class IV hitch on the TX 500h requires proper tongue weight distribution for safe, stable towing. Tongue weight—the downward force the trailer exerts on the hitch ball—should be 10–15% of the total trailer weight. For a 680 kg (1,500 lbs) trailer, aim for 68–102 kg (150–225 lbs) of tongue weight.

Exceeding recommended tongue weight limits can cause excessive rear-end sag, reduce steering control, and strain the vehicle's suspension. If you're towing a heavier trailer, consider using a weight-distributing hitch to balance the load across the vehicle's axles. Always consult your owner's manual and confirm your trailer is properly balanced before hitting the road.

Safety and Convenience Features for Towing

The TX 500h includes several features that simplify towing:

• Panoramic View Monitor: Provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle, making it easier to align the hitch ball with the trailer coupler.
• Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Detects vehicles in your blind spots, accounting for the trailer's added length.
• Parking Support Brake: Automatically applies brakes if an obstacle is detected while manoeuvring at low speeds.

The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system also works to detect and correct instability caused by crosswinds or sudden steering inputs—especially valuable when towing in tight spaces such as backing a trailer down a narrow boat ramp or navigating a crowded parking lot in Saint John.

Fuel Efficiency While Towing: Hybrid Advantage

One of the hybrid's biggest benefits is maintaining reasonable fuel economy even when towing. The TX 500h's electric motor assists the gas engine during acceleration, reducing the load on the turbocharger and improving efficiency. Regenerative braking also recaptures energy when slowing down, which is particularly useful on hilly routes or stop-and-go traffic.

For comparison, a non-hybrid SUV with similar towing capacity might average 14–16 L/100 km while towing, whereas the TX 500h typically stays in the 12–14 L/100 km range. Over a full season of weekend trips, those savings add up—especially with fuel prices in New Brunswick.

Which TX 500h Trim Should You Choose?

If towing is a priority, opt for one of the trims with the Class IV hitch:

• TX 500h F SPORT Performance 2 + Towing Hitch: Includes 22-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and Adaptive Variable Suspension.
• TX 500h F SPORT Performance 3 + Towing Hitch: Adds a head-up display, Adaptive High Beam System, 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio, and Advanced Park.

Both trims seat six passengers with second-row captain's seats, leaving ample cargo space behind the third row (572 L). Fold the third row flat, and you'll have 1,625 L for gear—enough for snowmobile suits, helmets, and coolers.

Your Next Snowmobile Trip Starts at Lexus of Saint John

The 2026 Lexus TX 500h proves that hybrid SUVs are more than capable of handling real-world towing demands. With 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) of towing capacity, 409 lb-ft of torque, and advanced all-wheel-drive technology, it's built to haul snowmobile trailers, utility trailers, and small boats with confidence. From trail runs in northern New Brunswick to boat launches at the Bay of Fundy, the TX 500h delivers the power, efficiency, and luxury you expect from Lexus.

Visit our team at Lexus of Saint John to explore the TX 500h lineup and discuss your towing needs. We'll help you configure the right model and answer any questions about hitch installation, trailer setup, and safe towing practices. Your next adventure is waiting—schedule a test drive today.