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Subaru WRX Towing Capacity: Can It Tow A Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

Subaru WRX Towing Capacity: Can It Tow A Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

The Subaru WRX is an affordable compact car that provides decent energy performance and operational capacity. The towing potential of this car is yet to be discovered. In this article, we’ll look into this matter and also discuss other details in this regard. Let’s start by answering the main question of towing capacity provided by this car.

All the models/variants of the Subaru WRX have a braked towing capacity of 2,500 pounds and an unbaked towing capacity of 1,000 pounds. Subaru does not provide official towing stats for this car and recommends its users not to use it for towing purposes. As these numbers are obtained from unofficial sources, the engine variants of this car may provide unique towing capacities.

Now that we have identified the towing capacity of 2,500 pounds let’s discuss what you can tow with this power. Below we consider any changes in the towing capacity over the years, followed by the weighing limits of several trailer types, and compare it against the towing capacity of this car. And lastly, we’ll analyze the towing capacities of its counterparts.

Also read: How Many Miles Can A Subaru WRX Last?

Maximum Towing Capacity By Year

The following table outlines the towing capacities of several generations of this car. We have differentiated the braked and unbraked towing capacities so that you can equip the right type of trailer accordingly. As Subaru does not recommend using this car for towing purposes, we suggest that you don’t test these limits unless in an emergency. Regular towing with this car may damage its engine and seize its warranty.

YearEngineTowing Capacity Unbraked (lbs)Towing Capacity Braked (lbs)Note
2021All1,0002,500This vehicle is not recommended for towing.
2020All1,0002,500This vehicle is not recommended for towing.
2019All1,0002,500This vehicle is not recommended for towing.
2018All1,0002,500This vehicle is not recommended for towing.
2017All1,0002,500This vehicle is not recommended for towing.
2016All1,0002,500This vehicle is not recommended for towing.
2015All1,0002,500This vehicle is not recommended for towing.

Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

Lots of trailers with varying weights and sizes are available for towing purposes. In this section, we have identified the weighing limits of different types of trailers. We have then matched these weight limits against the towing capacity of the Subaru WRX.

All new and old generations of the Subaru WRX can tow small and medium-sized trailers with a maximum weight limit of 2,500 pounds. These include Canoe/Kayak, Jet Ski, Teardrop, and Small Open Utility Trailers. The towing capacity of this car is not suitable for towing empty or loaded large-sized trailers.

Trailer TypeAverage Empty Weight (lbs.)Average Total Loaded Weight (lbs.)Can A Subaru WRX Tow It?[SK1]
Canoe / Kayak Trailer200400Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Jet Ski Trailer3001,800Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Motorcycle Trailer5002,400Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Teardrop Trailer1,700 2,400Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
Small Open Utility Trailer7002,500Yes, it can tow both empty and filled trailers.
A-Frame Camper1,7002,900It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Small Enclosed Utility Trailer1,0003,200It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Fishing Boat Trailer6003,300It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Pop Up Camper2,3003,400It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Small Travel Trailer2,8003,600No.
Tow Dolly6004,000It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Large Enclosed Utility Trailer2,7007,100No.
Small Horse Trailer2,9007,200No.
Large Travel Trailer6,7008,300No.
Car Trailer1,9009,000It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Large Flatbed Trailer3,00010,400No.
Large Boat Trailer2,20013,600It can only tow an empty trailer of this category.
Dump Trailer4,50016,900No.
Toy Hauler7,60017,900No.
Large Livestock Trailer7,30018,700No.
5th Wheel Camper12,70018,700No.
Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer7,20023,200No.

Also read: The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Subaru WRX (& STI)

  • Kayak: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average, an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pounds with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Jet Ski Trailer: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty jet ski trailer. On average, an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Motorcycle Trailer: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty motorcycle trailer. On average, an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Teardrop Trailer: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow a teardrop trailer. On average, an empty teardrop trailer will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded teardrop trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds which is within the range of the  Subaru WRX. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds, outside of the limits of the  Subaru WRX.
  • Small Open Utility Trailer: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty small open utility trailer. On average, an empty small open utility trailer will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • A-Frame Camper: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty A-frame camper. On average, an empty a-frame camper weighs 1,700 pounds. A loaded a-frame camper will weigh an average of 2,900 pounds with a maximum of 3,600 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty small enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty small enclosed utility trailer weighs 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds with a maximum of 7,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Fishing Boat Trailer: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty fishing boat trailer. On average, an empty fishing boat trailer weighs 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Pop-Up Camper: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty pop-up camper. On average, an empty pop-up camper weighs 2,300 pounds. A loaded pop-up camper will weigh an average of 3,400 pounds with a maximum of 4,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Small Travel Trailer: No Subaru WRX model will be able to tow a small travel trailer. On average, an empty small travel trailer weighs 2,800 pounds. A loaded small travel trailer will weigh an average of 3,600 pounds with a maximum of 4,500 pounds, outside of the range of the  Subaru WRX.
  • Tow Dolly: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty tow dolly. On average, an empty tow dolly weighs 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds with a maximum of 5,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: No Subaru WRX model will be able to tow a large enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty large enclosed utility trailer weighs 2,700 pounds. A loaded large enclosed utility trailer weighs an average of 7,100 pounds with a maximum of 10,000 pounds, outside of the range of the  Subaru WRX.
  • Small Horse Trailer: No Subaru WRX model will be able to tow a small horse trailer. On average, an empty small horse trailer weighs 2,900 pounds. A loaded small horse trailer weighs an average of 7,200 pounds with a maximum of 8,000 pounds, outside of the range of the  Subaru WRX.
  • Car Trailer: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty car trailer. On average, an empty car trailer weighs 1,900 pounds. A loaded car trailer weighs an average of 9,000 pounds with a maximum of 15,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Large Flatbed Trailer: No Subaru WRX model will be able to tow a large flatbed trailer. On average, an empty large flatbed trailer weighs 3,000 pounds. A loaded large flatbed trailer weighs an average of 10,400 pounds with a maximum of 26,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.
  • Large Boat Trailer: All Subaru WRX models will be able to tow an empty large boat trailer. On average, an empty large boat trailer weighs 2,200 pounds. A loaded large boat trailer weighs an average of 13,600 pounds with a maximum of 34,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Subaru WRX.

Also read: Subaru WRX Transmissions: Overview, Problems, Fluids

How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?

The following table highlights the towing capacities of several cars in the compact sports sedan category. We can realize that the Subaru WRX has a below-par towing capacity and several other cars in its competition have a higher towing capacity. For instance, the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 provides a towing capacity of 3,306 pounds which is 806 pounds more than the towing capacity of the Subaru WRX. Similarly, the 2021 Volkswagen Golf and the 2021 Honda Civic have higher towing capacities. Subaru must improve the towing performance of this car to fight in a tough competition.

Also read: Absolute Best Years Of The Subaru Impreza

Year / Make / ModelMin. Towing Capacity (lbs.)Max. Towing Capacity (lbs.)
2021 Honda Civic2,6452,645
2021 Hyundai Veloster1,0001,000
2021 Mazda MAZDA33,3063,306
2021 Volkswagen Golf3,2003,200

Also read: Types Of Gas A Subaru Impreza Takes (Also WRX)

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