Best cars for towing caravans in 2025

While many people default to an SUV when looking for a tow car, that may not be strictly necessary. A BMW 5 Series Touring will be more enjoyable to drive when you’re not towing, while it’s still capable of lugging a braked trailer weighing up to 2000kg.

This generation of 5 Series Touring was recently replaced by an all-new one, which itself is brilliant, but we don't see a lot wrong with the previous one, and buying a used example with a few miles under its wheels can save you quite a slice of cash compared to buying a brand spanker. The only counter argument to this is if you want an EV version of the Touring, which means you'll be looking at the i5 Touring.

The earlier version we have here is a superb all-rounder with a feel-good interior, generous standard equipment levels and a big boot. Self-levelling suspension is fitted across the range (which is useful when attaching a heavy caravan), while the standard navigation will help you get to your destination.

Unless you really must have a petrol, the diesel line-up makes the most sense for towing. The six-cylinder 530d will make your life very easy, without costing a fortune to run. A budget of £30,000 will buy a two-year-old example in M Sport trim with xDrive four-wheel drive.

The fully-electric Kia EV9 is a sizeable seven-seater that comes with oodles of space for passengers and luggage, a comfortable ride, and plenty of tech and USB charging ports to keep everyone happy. 

Its striking looks will turn heads at any campsite, and the vehicle-to-load (V2L) function allows you to plug in three-pin appliances, perfect if you’ve got a pump for an air mattress, need to charge your MacBook, or fancy hooking up an air fryer because… why not?

You’ll want to avoid the entry-level (and thus cheapest) ‘Air’ trim as the rear-wheel drive powertrain compromises the towing capacity, which drops to just 900kg. Opt for the GT-Line (from around £73,000) or GT-Line S (from around £77,000) trim and the all-wheel drive (AWD) system sees towing capacity leap to a far more respectable 2500kg.

You’ll have to weigh up the practicality of driving an electric vehicle in terms of range and charging opportunities, and while the quoted range of the AWD models is 313 miles, that will take a hit when towing a significant weight behind.

While SUVs are always popular with caravan owners, the good old estate car also remains a sound choice and few do that better than the Volkswagen Passat Estate.

Capable of towing up to 1800kg with a braked trailer, the Passat Estate in 1.5 eTSI 150 specification makes for a classy, comfortable tow car if you want a showroom fresh example. This latest generation was introduced at the beginning of 2024 and comes with a price tag starting at around £38,000.

Should you have a lower budget, don't despair as the previous generation Passat Estate is no less an able tow car. This also opens up the choice of some excellent turbodiesel engine options, and price begin from £10,000 for a seven-year old 2.0 TDI with average miles and in SE Business trim.

If you’re on the hunt for a reliable, well-equipped and comfortable tow car, your search should probably end here. The Hyundai Santa Fe considered here is the previous generation model and is a no-nonsense SUV capable of lugging up to 2500kg. That’s comfortably enough for a twin-axle caravan loaded with luggage. The new in 2024 Santa Fe with its hybrid power has a maximum tow weight of 1110kg, so it's not nearly as handy as its predecessor.

We reckon that  the 2018-2023 model is probably the sweet spot. It's a big car that's posher and roomier than many will be expecting. However, do bear in mind you'll need the 2.2-litre diesel with the manual gearbox for the full 2500kg towing capacity: the automatic only tows up to 2000kg. 

Still, that 200PS diesel engine is decently refined and torquey, making it great for effortlessly moving your wagon down the road. With seven seats and some very upmarket kit available, it'll serve as the do-it-all family car, too. From 2021 there were hybrid options, but bear in mind these have significantly lower towing capacities. 

The Kia Sportage is the firm’s best-selling car in the UK, out-selling cars like the Picanto and Ceed. A rival to the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Karoq, the Sportage offers excellent value for money and comes with a generous seven-year warranty (which is transferable to subsequent owners).

The very latest version of the Sportage, launched in 2022, is great in a lot of ways, but its towing capacity is noticeably reduced compared with its predecessor. So, we'll continue to point you to the previous generation model instead, which will also be more affordable to buy.

You’ll get a four- or five-year-old example with a £12,000 budget, and that'll still have a couple of years of warranty left. Go for the 2.0-litre CRDI and it’ll have plenty of grunt to tow a caravan, while four-wheel drive will help, too. Officially it can tow up to 2200kg, or around 1850kg following the 85 per cent rule.

If you’d prefer a petrol, we’d recommend the punchy T-GDI engine. This produces 176PS and is available with two- or four-wheel drive, and can tow up to 1900kg.

The iconic Land Rover Defender is the modern overhaul of a Land Rover classic, and there’s no denying the this latest Defender is a serious workhorse capable of doing pretty much anything, pretty much anywhere.

It’s no surprise, then, that one of the world’s best off-roaders is also a powerful towing machine, with the three-door Defender 90, and five-door Defender 110 & 130 all boasting a 3500kg towing capacity (the same as the Land Rover Discovery 4) making them the strongest performers in our best cars for towing round-up.

If you’ve got a sizeable caravan, the Defender will be able to handle it, but it is going to set you back quite a bit of cash. Second-hand prices still start at £40,000, while buying new will require you to part with around £58,000 minimum. You do get plenty of bang for your towing buck, though.

The Skoda Kodiaq is quite possibly the best all-round family car on the market. It’s available with five- or seven seats, is extremely versatile and represents outstanding value for money. It’s also a very competent tow car, with most models capable of towing up to 2000kg.

We’d recommend the 2.0 TDI for towing, while hunting out a four-wheel-drive model might make your life a little easier still. It delivers decent performance and economy, while the Kodiaq's assured handling and strong grip levels will mean safe and confident towing. 

The Mk1 Kodiaq was replaced with a new Mk2 version in 2024, but the original still has plenty to offer and will cost a lot less cash as a used buy. You’ll be looking at a four-year-old mid-spec model for a budget of around £17,000. That comes pretty well equipped, with standard kit including 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and rear parking sensors. An eight-inch media system is standard, too.

Just because you’re towing a caravan doesn’t mean you have to go without a bit of luxury. The Volvo XC60 is a really desirable premium SUV that offers good value for money on the used market and won’t cost a fortune to run.

Unlike alternatives such as the BMW X3 and Jaguar F-Pace, the Volvo XC60 prioritises comfort and refinement over driver enjoyment. That’s ideal for caravanners: you don’t want a car with firm suspension and darty steering when you’re just trying to reach the campsite in comfort.

Depending on engine, the XC60 can tow a very generous 2400kg. Look out for one with the optional towing pack for things like a retractable towbar, mudflaps and a plastic luggage compartment mat.

For those who don’t want a full-blown SUV but need something a little more rugged than a standard estate car, the Audi A6 Allroad is a very desirable choice. The third-generation model arrived in 2012, with increased ride height over the standard A6 Avant, as well as some extra body cladding and underbody protection.

With all the seats in use, the boot can accommodate 565-litres of luggage, which is plenty for a weekend away (and standard-fit roof bars mean you can also add a roof box, too). Dropping the rear seats provides up to 1680-litres of space, while the Allroad has a braked towing capacity of up to 2500kg.

A £20,000 budget will get a late example of the third-generation A6 Allroad from around 2016. It’ll be powered by the magnificent 3.0-litre V6 TDI diesel engine, available with 218PS, 272PS and 320PS.

If your budget can stretch further, though, the latest 2019-on model offers the same engines, practicality and towing capacity but improved technology and an even more comfortable ride. It's rare, however, as by that point, many people had begun to favour SUVs. You'll need around £35,000 for one of these Allroads.

The Volvo V90 Cross Country is no longer with us. However, this jacked-up estate car with extra ruggedness in the same mould as the Audi A6 Allroad could just be the company's best-kept secret of recent years.

Like any other V90, it has the same roomy and luxuriously appointed cabin, with oodles of standard equipment. The seats are some of the most comfortable in the business and, being a Volvo, safety levels are off the chart. However, where the Cross Country differs is that its slightly raised suspension gives it a considerably smoother ride than the regular V90, which was already pretty smooth itself, so this is an exceptionally comfy car to do long distances in, perfect for caravanners.

So is the fact that, depending on specification, it can tow up to 2400kg. A budget of around £26,000 should be enough to snaffle you a three- or four-year old example