Being able to tow a caravan or trailer is a very specific quality for a car. Just because a vehicle has enjoyed plaudits for handling, fuel economy and space, doesn’t mean it's suitable for hauling your mini-home down to Cornwall this summer.
If you intend to tow a caravan or trailer then make sure you understand these safety tips.
We also have a really handy guide on how to tow a caravan.
Here we list our five favourite cars for towing, chosen for their all-round usability as solo driving machines, as well as their ability to safely and comfortably tow caravans on the nation's highways.
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When considering a towing car, it’s a good idea to test drive the vehicle with a caravan in tow.
It's also crucial to understand if the towing entitlement on your licence is sufficient for towing the type of caravan or trailer you have in mind. Read the government’s guide on towing rules here: https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow
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Not all tow cars need to be of the flashy, gargantuan variety, as Astra's Sports Tourer Estate proves. The 197bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine version of this low-key yet pleasing-on-the-eye vehicle can tow up to 1,650kg. The 134bhp 1.6-litre diesel model can tow up to 1,500kg, while being cheaper to buy and to run. Driven solo, this car proves itself to be a superb family estate, too.
Price: £17,205 – £25,430
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For a Land Rover, the Discovery Sport is not prohibitively expensive. It also comes complete with seating for seven and boasts one of the finest four-wheel-drive systems available anywhere, which means it’s great for towing on muddy campsites. And if the impressive towing limit of 2,200kg isn't enough, you might opt for the Range Rover Sport, which ups this figure to a whopping 3,500kg.
Price: £31,095 – £46,510
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On a caravanning holiday, the journey to the campsite presents most potential for stress. With its comfortable ride, great performance and substantial towing capability, the Skoda Superb minimises the chances of an unhappy towing experience. Opting for the meatier 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel version will ensure you have plenty of muscle to pull your caravan or trailer, as well as giving you a towing capacity of 2,000kg.
Price: £20,260 - £36,365
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Similar in size and ability to a Nissan Qashqai, but costing a lot less, the Dacia Duster is a dependable towing vehicle. The towing limit is 1,500kg with a braked trailer and you can add four-wheel drive for some additional oomph. The low-cost interior is a little uninspiring and the basic model doesn’t even have electric windows or air-con as standard, but at this price, it offers unrivalled value in the towing space.
Price: £9,495 - £16,495
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We've placed the Jaguar XF in the top spot because it's fantastic to drive both solo and when towing a caravan or trailer. When hauling your mini-home down the M1, the XF delivers superior stability, to the point where you might wonder if your caravan is still there. Boasting a maximum towing weight of 1,850kg, this car can pull all but the largest (or most heavily loaded) of caravans.
Price: £37,200
