Whether it’s pulling a caravan, towing a car trailer or hauling a box trailer for work, for some people the all-out grunt of a good towing machine is essential.
There are loads of cars out there that claim to be good at towing, but when it comes to determining which ones are the best, there are a few experts in the field. Our shortlist of cars have all won accolades from professional towing experts, having taken a gong in either the prestigious Caravan Club Towcar of the Year awards or the or the annual Towcar Awards.
Here are the cars to be seen in if you’re on the pull…
10. Volkswagen Amarok
Most of the 4x4 pick-ups on the market make good towing machines, but the Amarok won the inaugural pick-up class in the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year awards. It has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and plenty of poke from its 222bhp 3.0-litre TDI engine, yet also remains a civilised and likeable companion out on the open road.
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9. SsangYong Musso
If you’re on a budget but need serious towing grunt, then the Musso offers the same towing capacity as the Amarok, but offers incredible value for money, from just £16,295 on-the-road. It’s a bit agricultural in its approach, but it’s practical and a strong performer. There’s also a new model due later this year, so there are some great bargains to be had.
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8. Suzuki SX-4 S-Cross
The SX-4 S-Cross won the Towcar Awards Best Budget Choice award, and for good reason. Priced from less than £17,500 and with punchy BoosterJet diesel engines, the S-Cross range offers terrific value and excellent road manners yet is still capable of pulling a four-berth caravan. In CVT auto form, it makes towing a simple and enjoyable process.
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Just because a car has a job to do doesn’t mean it can’t be luxurious, and the XF is all the proof you need. With rear-wheel-drive, it enjoys good towing traction, while the 2.0d Ingenium engine has plenty of low down torque, making light work of pulling a twin axle van. If you’re looking to enjoy the high days as well as the holidays, it’s a terrific choice.
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6. Volvo XC60 D4
The XC90’s baby brother is a decent towing machine, with four-wheel-drive and an extremely effective hill-start assist function. It’s also heavier than most of its rivals, which means it will tow a wider variety of caravans safely. Plus, it’s a really pleasant place to be, with a beautifully executed cabin.
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5. Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer 1.6 diesel
Vauxhall estates have always been popular with the towing fraternity and the latest iteration is no exception. It’s the ideal car for family holidays, with a huge boot, excellent levels of equipment and ride comfort and Vauxhall’s superb OnStar concierge service as standard, plus it’ll easily pull most twin-axle caravans.
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4. Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine
The XC90 T8 Twin engine was the overall winner in the over-1,800kg category at the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards, and with good reason. It has a towing capacity to match most utility 4x4s, but with a hugely luxurious cabin, elegant styling and strong residual values, while the Twin Engine plug-in hybrid system makes it tax efficient, too. It’s pricey, though.
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3. Skoda Octavia Scout
The Octavia Scout is a great recipe for a towcar – four-wheel-drive, estate car body, the ability to pull most twin-axle caravans and trailers and a slightly raised ride height, which helps prevent the caravan’s nose weight having too much of an effect on the ride height. It’s decent to drive and good value, making it an excellent family car as well.
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2. Volkswagen Golf AllTrack TDI 4MOTION
The Golf AllTrack is smaller than the Octavia Scout, but otherwise it’s essentially the same piece of kit under the skin. That’s a good thing, as it means it has a similar towing capacity and the same four-wheel-drive and raised ride height benefits, but it’s also easier to manoeuvre and has stronger residual values. Choosing between the two is difficult.
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1. Skoda Kodiaq
There’s one standout choice of towcar on sale in 2018, though, and it’s the Skoda Kodiaq. Great value, available with seven seats, a higher than average towing capacity, handsome looks, strong residual values, hills start assist and a choice of punchy diesel engines make it the perfect companion for a caravan holiday, while its SUV credentials also make it a good choice for commercial towing as well.
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