What are the towing capabilities of the latest Lexus models? This is a question frequently asked at Lexus centres and through our busy social media platforms, and it is coming up more regularly as families plan staycation holidays.
The following table lists all new Lexus models currently on sale and their maximum applicable figures. The blank spaces represent models that have either not been engineered to tow or are not homologated to do so in the United Kingdom. In these cases, luggage carrying capacity can always be increased with official Lexus touring accessories.
Lexus towing capacities
| MODEL | TOWING CAPACITY (UNBRAKED) | TOWING CAPACITY (BRAKED) | MAXIMUM NOSE WEIGHT |
| UX 250h | 750kg | 750kg | 75kg |
| UX 300e | – | – | – |
| NX 350h | 750kg | 1,500kg | 60kg |
| NX 450h+ | 750kg | 1,500kg | 60kg |
| ES 300h | – | – | – |
| RZ 450e | 750kg | 750kg | TBC |
| RC F | – | – | – |
| RX 350h | 750kg | 2,000kg | 80kg |
| RX 450h+ | 750kg | 2,000kg | 80kg |
| RX 500h | 750kg | 2,000kg | 80kg |
| LC 500h | – | – | – |
| LC 500 | – | – | – |
| LC 500 Convertible | – | – | – |
| LS 500h | – | – | – |
What is the difference between braked and unbraked trailers?
Most larger trailers and caravans feature an integrated braking system that is activated through a mechanical link from the tow bar. This means that when the tow car brakes, the inertia of this force prompts the application of what is known as the ‘overrun brakes,’ which are installed to reduce the brake effort carried out by the tow car. Smaller, lighter trailers with no integrated braking system are called ‘unbraked’ and are entirely free-wheeling. These trailers therefore rely on the tow car to carry out all the brake effort.
Why is nose weight important?
Nose weight refers to the maximum vertical load that is exerted on the tow bar by the attached trailer or caravan (this also applies to tow bar-mounted cycle carriers). This figure is established by Lexus in order to maintain a safe level of traction and steering through the front wheels.
Hello,
I would like to know the answer to – why the ES 300h saloon is unable to have a tow bar fitted? This is especially in relation to carrying a bike rack. I realise that there could be weight restrictions regarding towing a Caravan or trailer but want to know why a bike rack cannot be fitted to the ball of a tow bar? Surely the chassis of the ES saloon is large enough for a tow bar to be fitted?
Hello Peter, thanks for your comment.
Please can you provide your vehicle registration so that we can raise this with our Product Technical team and gain insight specifically related to your vehicle.
Thanks.
Please could you confirm why our 2024 ES 300h cannot have a tow bar mounted bike tprack
Good afternoon,
Thanks for your question. Have you been in touch with the parts and accessories team at your local Lexus Centre?
Please may we take your registration so we can look into this for you?
Thank you.
Hello, I am in the same situation, can you tell me please if you solve this …thank you!
Good afternoon Gabriel, thanks for your comment.
Please can you provide your vehicle registration so that we can raise this with our Product Technical team and gain insight specifically related to your vehicle.
Thank you.
I purchased a brand new 2021 Lexus NX 300H from a main dealer who assured me it could tow my caravan and in fact they had a Tow Bar fitted for me by Lexus. It has now come to my notice the tow Ball weight is around 60KG which is not suitable for towing any caravans.
Hello David, thanks for getting in contact.
We are sorry to hear you are experiencing these issues and understand your frustration greatly.
We would recommend getting back in contact with your Lexus Centre to discuss this further.
Alternatively, our Customer Service team would be more than happy to support you and can be contacted here: https://www.lexus.co.uk/help-centre
Thanks.
Just purchased a UX 250h
Reg is FA21LXK
Which is the most suitable towbar incl electrics that I could have fitted to enable me to tow a small trailer tent with a maximum weight of 700 kg
Hi Mick, congratulations on your new purchase.
Your local Lexus Centre is best equipped to get a tow bar fitted to your UX. You can contact them here: https://www.lexus.co.uk/forms/contact-dealer
Thanks,
Lexus UK
That’s not really the answer I was looking for , surely there is guidance / info that you can give
Hi Mick,
We’re not equipped to give technical advice, this is the place of your local Lexus Centre.
Thanks,
Lexus UK
The advice from the camping and caravanning club is that the majority of cars can tow up to 80% of their Kerb weight , which for the UX250 is 1540kg
and 80% of this comes to 1230 kg so why is it rated at 750 kg ?
This is a general question , not specifically for my actual vehicle
Hi Mick,thanks for the reply.
The towing capacity for the UX is as mentioned in the brochure and handbook is 750kg.
We would always recommend referring to documents provided by the vehicle manufacturer for towing weights.
Thanks,
Lexus UK
I have just tried to order an NX 450H+ Premium Plus with a Panoramic Roof and tow bar but after signing the purchase order was told that the LEXUS system will not accept this specification. This is very odd as the table shows that the 450H+ PHEV CAN be fitted with a tow bar. I only want to tow a small micro tourer caravan with a MIRO of 750Kg. Do I have to settle for a 350H instead?
Good afternoon Alan,
Apologies for the delay in coming back to you.
Towing is currently unavailable for the MY25 NX due to homologation issues. This will be available in the coming weeks. Please keep in touch with your local Lexus Centre.
Thank you.
I am looking at buying RX450h and want to tow a caravan when i did the check on NCC Tow site it gave me a nose weight of 95kg ? see below : Is this correct and do i the Lexus Tow Package.
Selected caravan Swift –
Bessacarr Cameo By Design –
580 – 2016
Selected caravan Lexus – RX 450h HEV – Entry 3.5 450h V6 313 VVT-i
S/C HEV 262hp 167/68hp 123/50kw E-CVT Auto Start/Stop
Section Criteria Caravan
data
Car
data Result
1 Caravan weight (MTPLM) relative to car kerb weight (unladen)
ratio 1750kg 2210kg 79.2%
2 Gross train weight. Caravan MTPLM + gross car weight
compared to the permitted train weight for your car 1750kg 2715kg 94.7%
3 Caravan stability. Caravan noseweight (est) relative to
manufacturer’s car noseweight limit, as a % 87.50kg 95kg 92.1%
4 Caravan weight (MTPLM) relative to car manufacturer’s
permissible tow limit 1750kg 2000kg 87.5%
Full details
Car details
Lexus – RX 450h HEV – Entry 3.5 450h V6 313 VVT-i S/C HEV 262hp
167/68hp 123/50kw E-CVT Auto Start/Stop
Nose Weight (kg) 95
Kerb Weight (kg) 2210
Car permissable Tow Limit (kg) 2000
Unbraked Maximum Tow (kg) 750
Gross Weight (kg) 2715
Gross Permissable Trailer Weight (kg) 4715
Caravan details
Swift – Bessacarr
Cameo By Design –
580 – 2016
Unladen Weight
(kg) 1574
Max Weight
(MTPLM) (kg) 1750
User Payload
(kg) 176
Estimated Nose
Weight (kg) 87.5
Overall Width
(mm) 2260
Internal Length
(mm)
Shipping
Length (mm) 7490
Hello James,
Thanks for your comment.
Do you have a specific vehicle registration of the RX you are looking to buy?
Thanks.
Thank you
The Registration is BF21 *** its a RX 450 Takumi.
Hi James,
Yes, that is correct.
Thanks,
Lexus UK
So just to verify 95kg is the nose weight for this vehicle.
Thank you