Motoring: Towing the line

A couple of weeks ago I undertook one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life, I retook my driving test. This was nothing to do with a brush with the law but rather to do with the rules around towing a trailer. To cut a long story short, if you passed your test on or after 1st January 1997 there are some additional restrictions as to the weight you can legally tow with a normal car.

It’s hard to convey in words the effort needed, after such a long time falling into bad habits, of habitually checking the mirrors at regular intervals, looking over your shoulder before moving off and dare I say it, staying within the legal speed limit at all times. Anyway, I passed and all is well with the world so it seems a good time to review what makes a good car for towing and look at the options on the market.

VOLKSWAGEN ARTEON

Not an obvious choice is the Sporty Saloon from Volkswagen but it was voted Tow Car of the Year 2019 and as such I thought it deserved further investigation. Being the direct descendent of the Passat CC, the Arteon has the sleek lines of a coupe but with a four door configuration.

I’ve always been a fan of the Passat for its demure and low key presence and the Arteon carries on that tradition nicely. Inside, the cabin feels modern and spacious, just like its cousin the Audi A5, from which this car, as you may expect, borrows heavily.

It was the 2.0 TDi 150 variant which won the award and that seems logical as this power plant offers a good balance of economy and most important to towing – torque. Official figures are that the Arteon in this spec will tow up to 2000kg but remember that official guidance says that your trailer should never exceed 85% of the weight of the car.

VOLVO XC60

Fitting the more traditional shape of a tow car, the Volvo XC60 picked up the 2019 Tow Car of the Year award from the Caravan Club, picking up praise for its acceleration, stability and braking prowess whilst towing.

Our friends at the caravan club also praised the handling as being “fun”. Now, don’t get me wrong, for the size, weight and height of the XC60 it handles admirably well but to call it fun would be somewhat of a push. On the motorway, however, the VW feels planted and road noise is well insulated from the cabin. The higher seating position of the Volvo gives a better field of vision, in my view which adds to confidence, especially when you a towing a load behind.

The cockpit also feels a bit more utilitarian than the Arteon but that is because these cars are usually for different worlds. For a family however, the XC60 feels much more suitable than the VW, the boot feels massive and the cabin much more light and airy.

SSANGYONG KORANDO

Now, depending on where you live, the SsangYong name may not be immediately recognisable. The South-Korean company haven’t exactly gone overboard with their advertising budget, but I live just around the corner from one of their main dealers and have an increasing number of SsangYongs on the road lately.

This is no doubt down to their competitive pricing strategy. Starting from just £17,495, the Korando is a direct competitor for the Kia Sportage, especially as SsangYong will match the seven

year warranty. Admittedly, the entry model only comes with front-wheeldrive, but with a maximum towing weight it matches the XC-60 above and comes in at roughly half the cost.

Of course, the Korrando doesn’t have the same feel as its pricier competitors but what it does provide is solid, dependable motoring a much more affordable price point. Behind the wheel, the Korrando feels dependable and solid. Noise is a little more noticeable in the driver’s seat than the other two cars mentioned here but acceleration is smooth, the suspension has plenty of give and braking feels confident.

Whatever tow car you pick though, ensure it meets your needs and that you stay legal, not only with licencing but with tow weights and the car you use to tow. Away from caravanning you’d be surprised how much a horse box complete with equine load can tip the scales and there are only a few cars out there that are legally rated to pull that kind of load.

Mark D’Apice