The Best Cars for Towing Caravans

For many outdoor enthusiasts in the UK, caravanning offers the perfect blend of adventure and home comforts. However, the success of your caravanning experience often hinges on one crucial factor: the car you use for towing. Choosing the right vehicle can mean the difference between a stress-free journey and a challenging ordeal on the road.

In this article, we'll explore some of the best cars for towing caravans, considering factors such as towing capacity, stability, fuel efficiency, and comfort to help you make an informed decision. Whether you're a seasoned caravanner looking to upgrade your tow vehicle or a newcomer to the world of mobile holidaying, this guide will provide valuable insights into the top performers in the market… 

Key Takeaways:

• Ensure the towing capacity exceeds your caravan's weight
• A heavier car generally provides more stability on the road
• Higher torque aids in pulling heavy loads
• Consider the impact of towing on fuel consumption
• Look for features like trailer assist and stability control
• Always check the specific towing limits and recommendations for your chosen car
• Ensure you're adhering to UK towing laws and regulations, including speed limits and licence requirements for heavier combinations

How to Choose a Good Tow Car

Selecting the right vehicle for towing your caravan is crucial for safety, comfort, and enjoyment on the road. Here we share 8 key factors to consider when choosing a tow car:

Towing Capacity

The towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can safely tow and is perhaps the most critical factor to consider. Look for the maximum braked towing capacity of a car; bear in mind your fully loaded caravan should not exceed 85% of the car's maximum towing capacity for optimal stability and safety on the road.

Kerb Weight

A heavier car generally provides more stability when towing the likes of a caravan or trailer. As such, aim for a tow car that weighs more than the caravan as this helps prevent the caravan from pushing the car around, especially in windy conditions or during emergency manoeuvre.

Engine Power and Torque

The engine power and torque affect how well the car can pull the caravan, especially on hills or when accelerating. Cars with diesel engines often provide more torque at lower RPMs, which is beneficial for towing - especially when pulling heavy loads.

Transmission

The type of transmission can affect towing performance and ease of use; automatics are often preferred for towing due to their smooth operation, whereas manuals can offer increased control but may be more tiring on long journeys.

Wheelbase and Track

We recommend choosing a car with a longer wheelbase as it generally provides better stability. In addition, a wider track helps resist rolling forces from the caravan.

Fuel Efficiency

Remember that towing significantly increases fuel consumption. Always check the real-world towing fuel consumption figures (these can be found in caravan magazines or online forums) and consider your typical journey lengths. 

Towing Technology

Many modern cars come with technology specifically designed to aid towing. These types of features include trailer stability control (which helps prevent trailer sway), reversing cameras and sensors that can make hitching up and manoeuvring much easier. Then there’s self-levelling suspension designed to maintain the correct ride height when loaded.

Practical Considerations

With so much to think about, don't forget about the day-to-day use of the vehicle. Ensure there's enough room for your gear by choosing a car with a large enough boot space and consider the seating capacity depending on how many people you typically travel with.

What Type of Car is Best for Towing?

When it comes to towing, certain types of cars generally perform better than others, for example:

• Large SUVs and 4x4s such as the Land Rover Discovery, and Hyundai Santa Fe - these cars have high towing capacity and spacious interiors and are often equipped with advanced towing technologies.
• Mid-Size SUVs such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Audi Q5 - these cars offer a good balance of towing capacity and everyday usability. In addition, they are often more affordable than large SUVs.
• Large Estate and Executive Cars such as the Volvo V60 and BMW 5 Series - these cars offer good towing stability due to having a long wheelbase, making them practical for everyday use and are often more fuel-efficient than SUVs.
• Crossovers such as the Ford Kuga and Seat Ateca - these cars prove a great compromise between SUV capability and car-like driving dynamics. 

10 Best Cars in the UK for Towing Caravans

1. Audi Q5
2. BMW 5 Series
3. Ford Kuga
4. Hyundai Santa Fe
5. Land Rover Discovery
6. Mercedes-Benz GLA
7. Seat Ateca
8. Skoda Kodiaq
9. Volkswagen Touareg
10. Volvo V60

Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 is a premium mid-size SUV that offers a good balance of luxury and practicality for towing. It can tow up to 2,400kg of weight and is available in various engine options, including petrol, diesel, and hybrid versions. Drivers can benefit from the Quattro all-wheel drive system and as an additional feature, most models come with the trailer assist function too. 

BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series, particularly in its Touring (estate) form, is a very capable and luxurious towing vehicle. It has a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg and is available in efficient diesel and petrol options. For extra traction, why not choose the optional xDrive all-wheel drive system in addition to the trailer stability control feature. 

Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga is a popular crossover car that offers good towing capabilities of up to 2,100kg. To help when towing loads, benefit from trailer sway control technology for improved stability. The Kuga proves to be very good on fuel economy - especially in hybrid models. 

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a versatile and well-equipped spacious 7-seater SUV that's well-suited for towing all types of loads up to 2,500kg. Choose from diesel and hybrid powertrains which offer the intelligent HTRAC all-wheel drive system when additional grip is needed. 

Land Rover Discovery

The Land Rover Discovery has long been a firm favourite among caravan enthusiasts - and for good reason. With a maximum towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, it can handle even large caravans with absolute ease. The Discovery also offers advanced tow assist technology for easier reversing, excellent off-road capabilities, and a spacious interior for extra comfort on long journeys

Mercedes-Benz GLA

The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a compact luxury SUV that offers surprising capability for its size, towing up to 2,000kg. Its compact size makes it easy to manoeuvre and by choosing the optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, you can expect better traction and smoother all-round handling when towing. 

Seat Ateca

The Seat Ateca is a stylish and practical SUV that offers good towing capabilities at a competitive price point. Whether you opt for an efficient petrol or diesel engine, you can expect to tow up to 2,100kg with the added benefit of a trailer stability feature. For even more stability and traction on the road, add the 4Drive all-wheel drive system. 

Skoda Kodiaq

For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Skoda Kodiaq is a great choice. It has a towing capacity of up to 2,500kg and boasts excellent fuel efficiency for a large-sized SUV. What’s more is that the Kodiaq benefits from an optional third row of seats, which can convert into a spacious boot space if not needed. 

Volkswagen Touareg

The Volkswagen Touareg is a large, luxurious SUV with impressive towing capabilities of up to 3,500kg - making it one of the market leaders. Under the bonnet, expect a powerful V6 diesel and hybrid engine plus the added benefits of permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive. For extra help when towing a caravan, switch on trailer assist with added park assist. 

Volvo V60

The Volvo V60 is a premium estate car that combines practicality with versatile Scandinavian design and a good towing ability of up to 2,000kg. Where engines are concerned, the choice is yours; choose from efficient petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid variants. On some models an optional all-wheel drive system is available in addition to trailer stability assist technology. 

Cars that tow at 1 Stop Car Sales

At 1 Stop Car Sales in Peterborough, we understand that finding the perfect used car for towing doesn't have to break the bank. Our extensive selection of pre-owned vehicles includes a range of robust and reliable models ideal for caravan enthusiasts and frequent towers. 

From powerful SUVs to versatile estate cars, we offer vehicles from trusted brands known for their towing capabilities. Our experienced team can guide you through options that meet your specific towing needs and budget, ensuring you drive away with confidence. 

Visit our Peterborough-based dealership today and discover how we can help you hit the road with your caravan in tow.