Best caravan tow cars 2025

The best caravan tow car will be stable and reliable, getting you and your tourer safely from A to B. However, towing takes a lot out of a vehicle and having enough muscle to pull a tourer while also remaining stable is a big ask. The very standout caravan tow cars, therefore, will need to combine a number of talents.

However, there are a lot of options on the market, and as a result, it can be hard to know how to go about finding the right car to tow a caravan. That’s where we come in.

Since Practical Caravan first launched in 1967, we’ve tested hundreds of tow cars, covering everything from small crossovers to family hatchbacks, roomy estates to big SUVs – we’ve seen them and we’ve reviewed them for their towing ability, helping our readers pick out the best option.

We also run the Practical Caravan Awards, where our expert judging panel identify the best caravans across a range of categories, as well as the towing options that have really impressed us.

Now, to help you choose the best caravan tow car, we’ve gathered our top picks. The biggest brands, from Kia and Ford to Škoda and Volkswagen all feature in our round-up, as we share our recommended cars for towing caravans that will provide reliability and stability on your travels. Whether you’re looking for a large SUV, a 4×4 or an electric option, there’s a car for towing a caravan in our guide that should suit you.

If you decide you’d rather buy a pre-owned towing vehicle, be sure to take a look at our guide to the best used tow cars too.

What is the best car to tow a caravan?

Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’
Škoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L
Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line
Kia EV9 GT-Line 378bhp AWD
Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD Plus
Volkswagen Touareg 13.0 V6 TDI 286PS 4Motion Black Edition
Land Rover Range Rover Sport D350 Autobiography
Audi A6 Avant 50 TFSI e Quattro S Line Tiptronic
Nissan X-Trail e-4orce Tekna
BMW X3 M40d
Ford Focus Estate 1.0 EcoBoost 155PS mHEV Active X Powershift

The best caravan tow cars:

Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’

• Price: £46,195
• Kerbweight: 1929kg
• 85% match figure: 1640kg
• Maximum towing weight: 2500kg

Reason to buy:

• An excellent tow car with good fuel efficiency

Reason to avoid:

• More agile options available

We thought the updated Sorento provided an excellent towing experience when we tested it, achieving a 5/5 from reviewer David Motton, who added “it offers 90% of a luxury SUV’s ability at 60% of the price”. Available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or diesel, the refreshed SUV comes with new looks and interior tweaks.

We reckon the diesel type will be the best choice for caravanners because the plug-in hybrid and hybrid both offer reduced max towing limits (1010kg and 1110kg respectively), in contrast to the diesel’s 2500kg. We noted a bit of grumbling from the diesel engine, but think it’s well worth it for its towing capabilities, with its 325lb of torque ensuring it has plenty of muscle.

A case in point – after pairing it with a tourer with a MiRO of 1397kg, the Kia got to work, achieving a respectable 27.6mpg in the process. There may be quicker options, but it was still up to speed promptly, with its engine maintaining the speed without much revving. Hill starts are easy too, thanks to its pulling power, four-wheel drive and automatic gearbox.

While it may not be as unshakable as one of the best luxury 4x4s, our tester thought it “wasn’t far off”, adding it still felt “controlled and composed” when towing on a motorway. Campsite arrival is pleasant too, with the automatic gearbox allowing you to creep at low speeds.

It’s a straightforward solo drive, although not as agile as options such as a VW Tiguan, for instance, and you’re aware it’s a heavier car on winding country roads. It’s not a nimble option either, but it is comfortable and excels on the motorway, where wind and road noise are not felt. We liked that it’s not daunting to drive around town, missing that oversized feeling certain 4x4s can have.

Inside also impresses – here, a new infotainment system and dashboard are provided, while headroom and legroom are great, particularly for those in the front and middle row.

Our winner of the best car for towing a 1500kg caravan is one that provides an effortless towing experience and excellent fuel efficiency.

Škoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L

• Price: £39,705
• Kerbweight: 1678kg
• 85% of kerbweight: 1426kg
• Maximum towing weight: 2000kg

Reason to buy:

• Offers a good towing experience, plenty of headroom and legroom provided, comes as a diesel

Reason to avoid:

• Tailgate opening isn’t flush with the boot

The new Superb Estate takes what was already working well and improves it further. The Škoda has a few advantages over its rival, the VW Passat, including the fact that it’s available as both an estate and a hatchback, as well as with diesel power.

It comes with a 2.0-litre engine and offers 266lb ft of torque, and upon matching it to a tourer with a MiRO of 1352kg, we found the Škoda towed with ease, quickly reaching 60mph. Speed was held on hilly roads too – in fact, we felt like it almost had too much muscle, with wheel spin easy to come across when on a 1-in-10 slope. We loved how secure it felt, with our tester remarking he would ‘be happy to spend a long day towing with it, even in windy weather’.

We thought it provided a good solo ride around town too. It drives comfortably at speed, and beyond some road noise at 70mph, it was quiet. One thing we will highlight is that its size means a large parking space will be required, but the level of kit it comes with, including a rearview camera and both standard-fit front and rear parking sensors, help here.

We appreciate how everyone can travel in comfort too, with plenty of space upfront and great legroom in the rear. Due to a higher roof, headroom has also been improved.

Our only gripe was with the luggage space. While you now get an impressive 690 litres, the boot isn’t flush with the tailgate opening, so bags require lifting up and then lowering, unless you get the optional variable height boot floor for an extra £295, something which we think should be standard. However, fuel economy impresses, with 30.7mph seen when towing.

If you want a confident diesel towing option with good interior space, we reckon the Škoda could be the best caravan tow car for you.

Full review: Škoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L

Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line

• Price: £40,895
• Kerbweight: 1677kg
• 85% match figure: 1425kg
• Maximum towing weight: 2000kg

Reason to buy:

• Spacious interior, good stability at speed

Reason to avoid:

• Not available as a diesel 4×4

The updated Tiguan comes with extra space, a smart new look and an uprated infotainment system – plus it’s available as a petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid.

We would have liked to see it available as a 4×4 diesel for improved fuel efficiency and all-season touring, as we experienced some brief wheel spin in wet conditions when pulling away at a junction, while a hill start in similar conditions resulted in a short supply of traction.

However, the diesel Tiguan still offers a kerbweight of 1677kg, giving an 85% match of 1425kg. Towing a tourer with a MiRO of 1393kg led to a steady towing experience. The VW was capable of holding speed, even on hilly roads, and provided excellent stability. Ok, there was some movement when in breezy conditions or driving near high-sided vehicles, but these were slight, and the car was able to regain control without any help.

If one of the things you want from the best car for towing a caravan is a good everyday vehicle, you’ll be pleased to hear it’s a great solo drive too, still erring on the compact side for easy parking.

The engine can be a tad gruff when accelerating hard, but it’s fairly quiet once you’re cruising. The car is now wider, taller and bigger than before too, despite having an unchanged wheelbase. As a result, there’s plenty of room for all, while the infotainment is now both clear and crisp. Fuel economy stood out too, as we achieved 29mpg when towing.

This is a caravan tow car that we would recommend – it’s undoubtedly impressive and an improvement on the previous generation, our only gripe is that it’s not available as a 4×4 diesel.

Full review: Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS R-Line

Kia EV9 GT-Line 378bhp AWD

• Price: £73,275
• Kerbweight: 2648kg
• 85% match figure: 2251kg
• Maximum towing weight: 2500kg

Reason to buy:

• Comfortable and stable to drive

Reason to avoid:

• Range issues

For caravanners who want an electric tow car, the EV9 makes a very tempting choice, providing a comfortable drive and excellent stability.

A kerbweight of 2648kg makes it a very heavy tow car, which, when combined with its 378bhp and 516lb ft of torque, ensures you have a car which is both speedy and confident at towing. We tested it with two tourers, one with a MiRO of 1102kg and another with a MiRO of 1900kg. In the case of the former, it barely slowed the Kia, while with the latter, it was able to perform impressively, getting up to speed promptly on the motorway and having punch in the tank for overtaking.

Stability is always an important trait in the best cars for towing a caravan, and here, it stood out, with both wind and rain posing no issue. No wheelspin was felt from the 4×4 either, even on a 1-in-10 slope.

So far so good. However, pulling a tourer with an electric car is always going to present difficulties. Based on how we got on when towing the Adria, it would have a range of around 115 miles, based on its estimated usable battery capacity of 96kWh, meaning the battery would need recharging every two hours or so. While other factors such as warmer weather and a lighter caravan could alter this a bit, the recharge issue remains, particularly as you’re going to need to keep your tourer safe while the tow car tops up, which is where aids like the best caravan hitchlock can help.

However, it’s an incredibly smooth solo drive, handling neatly on twisting roads, even if there are other options which are more fun to drive. An acceleration of 0-62mph in only 5.3 seconds stands out too.

Inside, we thought space in the third row was good too, even for adults to use. Other cars, such as the BMW iX have crisper infotainment systems, but the EV9’s is straightforward to use. There’s also an impressive level of kit, including heated and ventilated seats, useful driving aids and an eight-speaker stereo.

Full review: Kia EV9 GT-Line 378bhp AWD

Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD Plus

• Price: £60,055
• Kerbweight: 2163kg
• 85% match figure: 1828kg
• Maximum towing weight: 2250kg

Reason to buy:

• Spacious and stable

Reason to avoid:

• Other SUVs offer a better driving experience

This capable tow car not only comes with some subtle style changes but now offers extra features too, including a bigger battery for an all-electric range of up to 49 miles. We were impressed by its towing limit of 2250kg too, giving you plenty of freedom if you’re following the 85% guideline. When we tested it, we hitched it up to a tourer with a MiRO of 1497kg, and as we started towing, we found it had just over three-quarters of its charge left and an electric range of 34 miles. With the charge at a healthy level, it could easily tow on electric power alone, happily reaching 60mph.

However, we found towing essentially halved its electric range – after 17.5 miles, it primarily switched to petrol. It still performed well, offering brisk acceleration, although we did think it was noisier once the four-cylinder engine was at work.

Hill starts were no issue, with a 1-in-10 slope easy to face – a brief scrabble for grip was followed by confident towing when the conditions were wet. We found the stability very impressive too, providing a solid and confident experience, with the tourer only feeling the slightest nudge when around HGVs or similar. Fuel economy will vary, but we managed from 148mpg when charged up to 21.1mpg when the all-electric range was zero while towing.

One thing we will highlight is there are quieter and more comfortable SUVs to drive – other options are sharper too.  The cabin is well-made though, as you would expect at this price point, with good space, although we will point out a hump in the back which could make it uncomfortable for three in the rear. The boot space was only 468 litres with the rear seats upright too.

However, we think the Volvo makes a capable choice, offering excellent stability, that all-important trait of the best tow cars, as well as speed and space.

Full review: Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD Plus

Volkswagen Touareg 13.0 V6 TDI 286PS 4Motion Black Edition

• Price: £70,460
• Kerbweight:2118kg
  85% of kerbweight: 1800kg
• Maximum towing weight: 3500kg

Reason to buy:

• Strong acceleration, stable, good for all-season touring

Reason to avoid:

• Not suited to larger families

This stable tow car impressed our tester, David Motton, so much that he noted it offers “everything that a big SUV should”.

It makes a highly appealing choice as a tow car, offering plenty of power, 443lb ft of torque and strong acceleration, even when towing a twin-axle caravan. We found the eight-speed gearbox offered smooth gear change (despite a pause when changing down), and inclines posed no issue either, whether for a hill start or towing uphill. Movements were barely felt when towing on the motorway, with crosswinds easily dealt with.

As a solo option, it’s effective too, capable of going from 0-62mph in only 6.4 seconds. We noted it could “fidget” a bit at low speeds – the diesel engine can also be a bit grumbly when cold, particularly when compared to those seen in hybrids or electrics, although it does quieten down on motorways.

With only five seats, it’s not going to be a tow car for larger families either – however, we found the seats it does have are all roomy and practical. Everyone should be comfortable too, with air-con controls even provided for those in the back. There’s a huge boot as well as a good level of standard kit, including a huge 15-inch infotainment screen.

Fuel economy impressed too, as we managed 43-44mpg on a motorway drive, despite official tests saying 34.4mpg – when towing a twin-axle, we returned 23.8mpg.

It offers many of the things we look for in the best tow cars – it’s stable, capable, fast and ideal for caravanning in winter. What’s not to like?

Full review: Volkswagen Touareg 13.0 V6 TDI 286PS 4Motion Black Edition

Land Rover Range Rover Sport D350 Autobiography

• Price: £102,625
• Kerbweight: 2435kg
• 85% match figure: 2070kg
• Maximum towing weight: 3500kg

Reason to buy:

• Provides excellent stability and power

Reason to avoid:

• There’s no avoiding the price

Our pick for the best tow car for a 2000kg caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards is one that we think offers plenty of power and an exceptional towing experience. It’s expensive, coming in at over £100,000, but provides plenty of stability at speed, with 350hp and 516lb ft of torque making it capable of towing heavyweight twin-axles.

We were also impressed by how it manages to combine plenty of comfort with a great performance. It has the added benefit of being cheaper than the typical Range Rover, yet also manages to be more enjoyable to drive. Fuel economy is respectable too – we think 38.1mpg is perfectly reasonable. There’s no getting away from the price, but this is a towing car which has a lot going for it.

Audi A6 Avant 50 TFSI e Quattro S Line Tiptronic

• Price: £61,725
• Kerbweight: 2150kg
• 85% match figure: 1828kg
• Maximum towing weight: 2000kg

Reason to buy:

• Provides excellent economy and performance

Reason to avoid:

• Boot is on the small side, pricey

An appealing alternative to a large SUV, the Audi A6 has a spec sheet reminiscent of a 4×4.

Matching it to a tourer with a MiRO of 1645kg, we found it pulled at 60mph with ease, switching from hybrid to electric for some quiet but efficient towing. The electric motor and petrol engine work together, providing a combined power output of 299hp, while there’s a maximum torque figure of 322lb ft – big numbers that explain why this is such a quick towing car.

Hill starts are simple for the plug-in hybrid tow car, while stability – something that the best cars to pull caravans always provide – is excellent, with movement only felt once during our test, when overtaking an HGV.

As an everyday car, the Audi A6 Avant is a pleasure to drive, with suspension that feels firm but also “well-judged for faster driving”, as our reviewer, David Motton, put it.

There’s a spacious interior too, with a high-tech feel throughout. One thing we did note was the boot space – the floor has been raised to create room for the plug-in hybrid components, so capacity is down to 405 litres, significantly lower than the similarly priced BMW X3 M40d.

Yet this caravan tow car will be cheap to run for the right owner – we saw an economy of 30.2mpg while towing with the battery just below fully charged. 66 miles in, and there was still just under a quarter of the charge remaining.

With the exception of that small boot, we think this is a very good caravan tow car, one that offers excellent performance and economy, so long as you can recharge at home.

Full review: Audi A6 Avant 50 TFSI e Quattro S Line Tiptronic

Nissan X-Trail e-4orce Tekna

• Price: £45,310
• Kerbweight: 1880kg
• 85% match figure: 1598kg
• Maximum towing weight: 1800kg

Reason to buy:

• Comfortable and punchy to tow with, a secure solo drive

Reason to avoid:

• Economy

By large 4×4 SUV standards, this hybrid is a relatively lightweight option, coming in with a kerbweight of 1880kg. Despite this, its towing limit nearly equals that, meaning caravanners get a big range of vans to choose from.

We matched the caravan tow car to a tourer with a MiRO of 1306kg and found it pulled with ease, with that huge torque of 387b ft coming into its own. Beyond the occasional noise from its engine, the Nissan was relatively quiet, with excellent stability  – in fact, the only odd movement was felt when overtaking HGVs at the caravan towing speed limit.

The Nissan has a comfortable and punchy nature, but one thing we need to point out is its economy. We only averaged 21.4mpg, despite testing in favourable conditions. Reversing could also be problematic, as going back more than a metre led to the breaks being applied – something our reviewer, Nigel Hutson, guessed was down to the ’13-pin socket fitting and programming’.

Switch to solo driving and the engine is barely heard. The car is swift off the mark and can cruise at motorway speeds. Despite the odd body roll when pushed, the X-Trail feels very secure and is enjoyable to drive.

Something else we loved – the simplicity of its various buttons and touches. There’s also plenty of space inside, with three able to travel in comfort in the rear seats. The boot is huge and, usefully, a wireless charging pad and USB ports are dotted throughout.

A small touch we appreciated was the ease of attaching caravan towing mirrors – that’s not always the case nowadays.

Overall, we’d say this is a well-built and thoughtfully designed tow car – just look out for the economy.

Full review: Nissan X-Trail e-4orce Tekna

BMW X3 M40d

• Price: £62,785
• Kerbweight: 2080kg
• 85% match figure: 1768kg
• Maximum towing weight: 2400kg

Reason to buy:

• A pleasure to drive, whether towing or as an every-day car, plenty of torque and power, surprisingly frugal

Reason to avoid:

• At over £60,ooo, it’s quite a pricy option to consider

You’re entitled to want a lot to justify the price tag, but we found towing with the most powerful diesel in the X3 range an absolute pleasure. Stability and speed are hallmarks of the best caravan tow cars, two things that this BMW certainly offers.

The SUV’s kerbweight of 2080kg means it has an 85% match figure of 1768kg, and it towed a caravan with a MiRO of 1505kg with ease. Both a hill start on damp Tarmac and maintaining speed on a hill proved no problem, with its four-wheel-drive system up to the challenge.

Both crosswinds and high-sided vehicles posed no issue either – in fact, the only wobble was felt when a larger van overtook at speed, and we were quickly able to pull it straight. Hitching up a caravan is also simple, as this BMW is well-equipped to deal with low-speed manoeuvres.

When it comes to solo driving, this is one of the quickest cars we’ve towed, going from 0-62mpg in only 4.9 seconds. Sporty suspension does mean bumps in the road will be felt, but we liked the excellent control it provides at speed.

This is also very well-equipped, with a spec including 21-inch alloys, heated front seats, a rear parking camera and acoustic glass. It’s surprisingly frugal for such a heavy car too, as we achieved 41-43mpg for everyday use and 25.2mpg when towing.

There’s no getting away from it – this is an excellent caravan tow car, with plenty of power and torque. If you have the budget for such a roomy and powerful car, you’re sure to enjoy towing in this BMW.

Full review: BMW X3 M40d

Ford Focus Estate 1.0 EcoBoost 155PS mHEV Active X Powershift

• Price: £34,530
• Kerbweight: 1451kg
• 85% match figure: 1233kg
• Maximum towing weight: 1500kg

Reason to buy:

• Provides stable towing for a well-matched caravan, fun to use as a day-to-day car

Reason to avoid:

• Best suited to those with lightweight caravans

The updated Ford Focus is no longer available with a diesel engine but now comes with a 30mm hike in ride height. This mild-hybrid, with 155hp, may provide a modest torque of 140lb ft, but the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine felt more than capable of towing a lightweight caravan.

Its kerbweight of 1451kg means a match figure of 85% gives you 1233kg. We found the Ford towed a tourer with a MiRO of 1059kg without any difficulties, thanks, in part, to a seven-speed Powershift auto.

However, the engine’s outputs do become apparent when overtaking or on steep hills, and if a heavier caravan was to be towed, it would be even more apparent. We also think it would be nice to see a four-wheel-drive version for improved traction in wet conditions.

This is still a stable car for towing a caravan though, one which felt secure and competent, except for the occasional nudge.

For day-to-day use, it’s fun to drive, with the accurate steering feeling well-weighted. However, it would be good to have the choice to manually override the gearbox. We noticed a slight lean when cornering too.

Fuel economy is respectable – we achieved 56mpg for everyday use on the motorway and 27.8mpg when towing. Both legroom and headroom are plentiful in this tow car too, while the large infotainment system is an appreciated touch. We did think that while the car feels well built, there’s no getting away from the fact that some of the surfaces look cheap.

Overall, we think this is a practical option for those who have a lightweight tourer – be aware that if you have a family van, the petrol engine will be working hard though.

Full review: Ford Focus Estate 1.0 EcoBoost 155PS mHEV Active X Powershift

What do I need to know before I buy the best caravan tow car?

To stay within the law, your car needs to have a legal towing limit that will either match or surpasses your caravan’s loaded weight – for instance, if your caravan weighs 1500kg, your car will need a towing limit of at least 1500kg.

A car’s legal maximum is based on its ability to tow a trailer up a slope repeatedly, so it shouldn’t be assumed that because a car can legally tow, say, 2500kg, it’s going to be wise to tow something that heavy at 60mph on the motorway on a windy day.

As a result, it’s recommended by the two main caravanning clubs that you tow no more than 85% of the tow car’s kerbweight. You can then work out the maximum weight of the caravan you can tow to stick to the 85% guideline by taking the tow car’s kerbweight and multiplying it by 0.85. For legal towing, this figure should not exceed the car’s towing limit.

Our guide to the licence you need to tow a caravan will also talk you through all you need to know to make sure you have the correct licence.

What should I be looking for in the best tow car?

When you’re choosing the best cars to pull a caravan, the important things to consider will be the safety, economy, practicality and value. However, the most important quality will be stability. It’s not always easy to assess, based solely on the spec, but combining this with a test drive can be helpful.

Even if the test drive doesn’t see you towing a caravan, you can still look out for certain signs – are you getting a firmly controlled ride? Does the suspension recover straight away?

You can find out more about what to look out for in our guide to how to choose a tow car.

How we choose the best caravan tow cars

Practical Caravan launched in 1967, and since then, our experts have conducted hundreds of tow car tests, covering everything from small crossovers to family hatchbacks, roomy estates to big SUVs. Many of these can be seen in our tow car review section.

Every vehicle we feature in this round up will have been seen, tried out and experienced by our team, allowing us to make sure the models we’ve selected do provide the most important tow car qualities.

Some of the factors we consider include the safety and stability of the car, the fuel economy it offers, the practicalities of using it as both a towing vehicle and for everyday use, plus whether it makes financial sense to buy.

Putting this all together, and comparing it with other models we’ve tried out, puts us in an authoritative position to pick out the caravan tow cars that we think are the best options on the market.

---

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Caravan magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things caravan related