10 best used cars for towing a caravan or trailer

If you’re browsing the classifieds for a used tow car, check out this rundown of  Carwow’s top 10 picks. 

Whether you are looking to tow a small trailer or a six-berth caravan with everything in it including a kitchen sink, you’ll need an appropriate tow car for the job. Having a powerful, torquey engine and plenty of grip is a good start, and there are also some towing laws to be aware of.

As a bare minimum, a good tow car needs enough power to pull its own weight as well as whatever it’s towing. Its kerb weight also influences the maximum weight of the item being towed. Bigger vehicles with powerful engines tend to have higher towing capacities.

Those sorts of vehicles tend to be pricey, but there are plenty of great used cars that can do the job for a fraction of the cost. We have selected 10 of the best here.

One quick note about kerb weights, which are crucial when calculating how much you can tow before breaching the terms of a normal driving licence: we’ve listed them here to give an indication, but you should confirm the mass of any specific model you’re interested in, as different engines, trim levels and features impact a car’s mass.

Here’s our pick of the 10 best used tow cars:

1. Audi Q5
2. BMW 5 Series
3. Dacia Duster
4. Hyundai Santa Fe
5. Kia Sorento
6. Land Rover Defender
7. Skoda Octavia
8. Subaru Outback
9. Volvo XC90
10. VW Touareg

1. Audi Q5

• Kerb Weight: 1,740kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 2,400kg

The Audi Q5 is a popular luxury SUV offering strong towing capacity even in base trim. The 204bhp diesel motor is torquey and smooth and should tow even heavier caravans and boats with ease. All are automatics, which makes towing even easier. Current generation used examples can be found from under £30,000.

It may not be the most exciting SUV out there, but the Q5 is a supremely comfortable family car which offers plenty of interior space for passengers and luggage. The interior is really well made as well, and there’s plenty of tech on offer.

2. BMW 5 Series

• Kerb Weight: 1,910kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 2,000kg

Luxurious saloon cars like the BMW 5 Series may not be quite as popular as their SUV counterparts, but they’re more fun to drive, just as posh inside and similarly practical. Especially if you opt for the estate (touring) versions. The base 520d offers great economy and enough power to tow most caravans and larger boats. All-wheel-drive is standard on the M550i xDrive models.

The 5 Series Touring may not have the largest boot of any estate car, but it’s plenty big enough to swallow up all the family’s luggage on a week-long caravan holiday. You can pick up a used 5 Series Touring of the current generation for around £25,000.

3. Dacia Duster

• Kerb Weight: 1,191kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 1,500kg

The rugged Dacia Duster is a great option for those wanting a bit of off-roading ability on a tight budget. We’d avoid the base engine as it may struggle when fully laden. Also, look out for higher spec models with all-wheel-drive. These are rated to tow up to 1,500kg.

You’re not getting much in the way of luxury in the Duster, with a lot of scratchy plastics inside and a fairly dull overall design. You can’t argue with the value for money through, with some examples available for under £10,000. An all-new Dacia Duster is also available to order now, and you can check out that car by clicking the button below.

4. Hyundai Santa Fe

• Kerb Weight from: 1,780kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 2,500kg

Large seven-seat SUVs tend to be pricey things. However, the Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the more affordable options out there, especially as a used buy. It certainly doesn’t skimp on equipment levels, and it’s available with a range of diesel and hybrid engine options. All-wheel-drive is standard on most versions.

It may not be the cheapest SUV to run, however it makes up for this with a generous level of standard equipment and a roomy cabin. It’s really comfortable to drive as well.

5. Kia Sorento

• Kerb Weight from: 1,954kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 2,500kg

The Kia Sorento is a spacious and luxurious SUV that comes with four-wheel-drive as standard. When it comes to towing, the diesel versions are the ones to get. They are rated to tow up to 2,500kg, which is around 1,000kg more than what the hybrids can manage. Nearly new examples can be found at good prices.

The diesel model may not be the most refined, but it’s pretty economical. The Sorento is also comfortable, practical and well equipped as standard.

6. Land Rover Defender

• Kerb Weight from: 2,228kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg

If you are planning to go far off the beaten path with your caravan or trailer, the Land Rover Defender is one of the best tow cars to get you there. And back again. Top-spec models can be rather pricey, but a used example can yield a significant saving. Most models can tow up to a massive 3,500kg.

You’ll want to go for the five-door model over the three-door for its added practicality, but the Defender looks equally cool regardless of which body style you go for.

7. Skoda Octavia

• Kerb weight from: 1,232kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 1,800kg

The Skoda Octavia offers a simply staggering amount of interior space for the money. It’s not the most stylish car in its class, but the latest generation cars have decent tech and make for great tow cars. We’d pick the 150bhp diesel or petrol engines, though, as the base engine may struggle while towing.

When you’re not hauling a caravan the Octavia is an excellent all-rounder. It’s comfortable, easy to drive and well-equipped, and there’s even a sporty vRS version for hot hatch enthusiasts.

8. Subaru Outback

• Kerb Weight from: 1,641kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 2,000kg

The Subaru Outback is a great all-rounder. Its body style is a mix between an SUV and estate car. This makes it very practical and spacious inside, while the elevated ride height and standard all-wheel-drive give it decent off-road credentials. The 2.5-litre petrol engine isn’t particularly powerful, but it is a capable towing vehicle and offers good value as a used buy.

There are cheaper cars to run, with the 2.5-litre engine being pretty thirsty, but you do get loads of tech on board as standard and the rugged styling will win some people over.

9. Volvo XC90

• Kerb Weight: 2,081kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 2,700kg

The stylish Volvo XC90 is safe, spacious and can seat up to seven. Every version has all-wheel-drive and an automatic gearbox, making towing that much easier. All new models are hybrid petrols, but there are still some nearly new diesels out there, too.

The infotainment system is starting to show its age these days, and it’s perhaps not as comfortable as you’d expect from a Volvo, but the interior is a lovely place to spend time and it’s fully loaded with kit.

10. VW Touareg

• Kerb Weight: 2,092kg
• Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg

The VW Touareg is thoroughly modern SUV, packed with the latest tech and safety features. It undercuts most alternatives when new, which also translates into a handy saving on the used car market. It will also tow just about any boat, caravan or trailer you can find. Both diesel engines offer strong performance and decent economy, too.

The cabin may not be as plush as it should be in a car like this, and thre’s no seven seater option either. The Touareg stands out thanks to its lower starting price than alternatives and its abundance of space and tech.

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