Caravanning is one of the most popular leisure activities in the UK, with thousands of people hitching up and heading out on to the open road each year.
However, towing a caravan requires a tow car which is fit for the job – and that’s why we’ve picked out 10 of the best that are on sale right now.
Land Rover Discovery
This one’s a bit of a no-brainer. The Discovery makes for one of the best tow cars on sale today, and that’s down to a few crucial factors. It’s got space for seven, which means you can bring the whole family along for the ride, and it’s available with a variety of torquey engines that are ideal for pulling a caravan.
In addition, the Discovery is available with towing-specific assistance systems, and it can even be fitted with technology that will autonomously reverse and park the car and caravan together.
Skoda Kodiaq
The Skoda Kodiaq follows a similar format to the Discovery. It’s available with seven seats, can be equipped with four-wheel-drive and has a range of strong diesel and petrol engines well-suited to towing life. However, it does this for a considerably lower price.
It’s also very spacious inside, and has a solid feel to it – though lacks the more expensive materials used in premium rivals.
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento has recently been updated, with an aim to bring it more into line with premium rivals. This sees better in-car technology, as well as better interior plastics and materials. It’s also grown over the older model, meaning more space in the cabin.
However, there are some features here which makes the Sorento an ideal tow car choice. It’s rated to be able to tow 2.5 tonnes on a braked trailer, while a self-levelling rear-end has been fitted as standard, too.
Ssangyong Rexton
The Ssanyong Rexton may be at the more budget end of the tow car spectrum, but that makes it no less able to do the job than other cars on this list. Its utilitarian design will appeal to those who prefer their four-wheel-drives a little more rough-and-ready, while plenty of standard equipment will please eager button-pushers.
A Mercedes-sourced 2.2-litre diesel engine provides more than enough grunt for towing duties, though the ladder-frame chassis does mean it falls behind rivals in terms of overall ride comfort.
Jaguar I-Pace
This may not be the most conventional of choices – but hear us out. The new I-Pace is available with a tow bar, and thanks to 395bhp and a healthy 696Nm of instantly available torque, it could prove to be an exceptionally good tow car. Power is sent to all four wheels too, meaning plenty of traction.
Jaguar claims that the I-Pace will do up to 298 miles on a single charge and, while we’re unsure how much this would be affected by the added weight of a caravan, this could prove to be useful for low-cost holidaying.
Volvo XC90
The big Volvo XC90 is an ideal choice for those who want a reliable and stylish tow car option. Its interior is sleek and well-specified, while its exterior exhibits plenty of Scandinavian-inspired style. However, there’s more to the XC90 than looks alone.
It’s available with a hybrid powertrain, which is ideal for caravan owners thanks to its impressively brisk performance and low running costs. That said, with prices reaching more than £50,000, it’s certainly not one of the cheapest options on this list.
Skoda Octavia Scout
The award for the first estate car on this list goes to the Skoda Octavia Scout. Thanks to a powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine coupled to a full four-wheel-drive system, the Scout makes for an ideal tow car.
In addition, when you come to unhitch the trailer, you’re left with an estate car that will happily and comfortably eat up the motorway miles, too.
Volkswagen Amarok
Any pick-up makes for a decent tow car, but the Amarok is certainly one of the best. It’s rated to tow up to 3.1 tonnes – so there’s little that this Volkswagen won’t be able to pull along. Its large size also means it remains impressively stable during poor conditions and high winds, too.
The large load bed at the rear is ideal for bigger items, and there’s an optional cover for this should need to store them overnight.
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross
The little Suzuki SX4 certainly punches well above its weight, particularly considering the competitors it has on this list. A 1.6-litre diesel engine is the go-to choice for caravanners, as this offers the performance required while towing.
In addition, you can get the SX4 with Suzuki’s clever AllGrip all-wheel-drive technology, affording it with much better traction and stability than you’d expect for a car of this size.
Ford S-Max
Though MPVs are falling out of fashion somewhat with the increase in popularity of crossovers, there’s still a space for a quality people mover. That’s where the Ford S-Max comes in. With seven dedicated seats, it’s a comfortable people carrier, while optional all-wheel-drive makes it a solid choice from this list.
The S-Max makes sense if you’re looking to take the family away in comfort, while also being able to tow safely and effectively at the same time.