The best road-based tow cars you can buy

A good tow car needs needs to be powerful, stable and have ability to shrug off extra weight. Their larger size and all-wheel drive mean more and more people use SUVs for the task. However, lots of saloons, estates and MPVs are just as worthy of the task.

Equally, if you regularly tow a caravan or trailer long distances, you’ll want as much space for luggage as possible. We’ve put together a list of road cars that have excellent towing capabilities, lots of interior space and are great to drive.

Put any of these cars in our car configurator to get the best deals from the UK’s leading dealers.

Ford Mondeo

The Ford Mondeo is a great all-rounder – so good, the brand hopes the latest version will sway people from more prestigious marques. It’s big enough to seat five people in comfort and there’s lots of boot space. For towing, the best choice would be the 2.0-litre diesel engine with 148hp and 258lb ft of torque. Combined with a 1,800kg towing limit, it’ll happily deal with most trailers and mid-sized caravans without fuss.

Remember, our Ford Mondeo configurator can help you save money.

Volkswagen Passat

Now in its eighth generation, the Volkswagen Passat continues to offer buyers a complete package. The latest incarnation is more powerful yet more frugal than before – excellent news for towing. The 150hp 2.0-litre diesel should be all you need, although more powerful versions are available. Thanks to a DSG gearbox, progress will be as smooth as possible whether on small A-roads or fast motorways. The well-built cabin is a nice place for passengers to be although, for boot space, you’d be better off with the estate.

Use our Volkswagen Passat configurator to get the best offers from the best UK dealers.

Skoda Octavia

The Skoda Octavia could be the perfect partner for those summer trips. It has a smaller towing limit than some, at 1,400kg but, for those with a medium-sized caravan, it’ll be all you’ll need. It comes with a similar range of engines as a Golf, meaning you’ll get a refined driving experience even if you’re towing. Like the Volkswagen, the best choice would be the 2.0-litre diesel. For those on a budget, this is a worthy contender.

Save money on your new car using our Skoda Octavia configurator.

Jaguar XF

The Jaguar XF is an all-out luxury car – it offers stability, power and brakes when they’re needed, meaning it takes towing in its stride. With a generous towing limit of 1,850kg, the 3.0-litre diesel means you’ll never be short on power to lug around all that weight. On the inside, it’s as luxurious as you’d expect offering lots of standard equipment and more than enough space for five passengers. The boot is humungous, too. If you want a luxury towing vehicle that isn’t an SUV, this could be the perfect companion.

Let our Jaguar XF configurator get you the best deals straight from the best Jaguar dealers.

Audi A6 Allroad

The Audi A6 Allroad combines all-wheel drive ability with the practicality of an estate car. It’s a better choice than SUVs for towing too – being nearer the ground results in a lower centre of gravity. This means improved stability and better handling. With a 3.0-litre diesel offering 309hp, it’ll deal with almost all towing challenges with ease. The interior has a classy feel to it and there’s 565 litres of boot space. It’s pricey, but certainly one of the best all-round tow cars on offer.

Use our Audi A6 Allroad configurator to help you save money.

SEAT Alhambra

The SEAT Alhambra manages to fit seven people in – with room to spare for luggage. On those caravanning trips, this is an important thing to consider. With the 2.0-litre diesel fitted, you get a high towing limit of 2,200kg. As part of the Volkswagen family, it’ll be well-built and should stand the test of time. The twin-clutch DSG gearbox will make light work of towing most things while still providing a smooth driving experience.

If you think it’s for you, use our SEAT Alhambra configurator to get the best deals.

Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

Vauxhall’s Zafira Tourer is, as its name suggests, a great tourer. This seven-seater will happily lug along a medium-sized caravan or trailer – its 1.6-litre diesel gives a maximum towing weight of just over 1,450kg. Its size mean it’ll be stable too and, with the rear-most seats folded down, it’ll eat up a large amount of luggage. The small diesel engine is also incredibly efficient – without anything hitched, it’ll achieve 68.8mpg. This’ll mean that, even when you do lug things around, fuel economy should remain reasonable.

To save money on a new one, our Vauxhall Zafira Tourer configurator will find you the best deals.

BMW 5 Series GT

The BMW 5 Series GranTurismo has a maximum towing weight of 2,200kg. Although a normal 5-Series is just as capable a tow car, the GT offers more interior space. There’s more room in the cabin and boot, meaning a more comfortable experience if you’re heading off with a caravan in-tow. A wide choice of diesel engines is offered, but the pick of the range is the 530d. Its six cylinders provide excellent torque – a crucial factor for towing. Fuel economy is reasonable too, with 49mpg claimed. The eight-speed automatic gearbox provides smooth shifting regardless of the road conditions and should make for a relaxing towing experience.

Use our BMW 5 Series GT configurator to save money off a new car, direct from leading BMW dealers.

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso has an extremely light weight of just 1,505kg. This means great fuel economy, but a low weight can detrimentally affect a car’s ability to tow. While slightly hindered by its 1,250kg towing capacity, the 1.6-litre diesel produces 148hp and 273lb of torque – more than enough for the majority of medium-sized caravans and trailers. Despite its light weight, it proves to be a stable car in all conditions, and the brakes are more than up to the job. With lots of space, great economy and a roomy, funky interior, the Grand C4 Picasso makes a sensible choice.

Our Citroen Grand C4 Picasso configurator will get you the best offers, straight from leading Citroen dealers across the UK.

Skoda Superb

This is the second Skoda in this list, but for good reason – the Superb has won several awards for its towing ability. There’s a wide range of engines to choose from – most of which are ideally-suited for towing. It’s also available in four-wheel drive form for those that want the added ability. Both the estate and saloon are huge inside, offering passengers all the comfort they’d need for a long journey. Costing from £18,640, not only is it capable, but cheap too.

To save even more money, use our Skoda Superb configurator to get the best deals.

Save money on your next tow car

If you like the look of any of these cars, head to our car configurator to get the best deals from the UK’s best dealers. Head over to our deals page to see our latest discounts or, if you’re struggling to decide which new car is for you, our car chooser will help you find what you’re looking for.