If car buying was a rational decision, more of us would own one of the best estate tow cars. For years, they have been overshadowed by SUVs, with their more upright driving position and go-anywhere looks.
But estates can be just as good at towing as the best SUVs for towing – sometimes better. Estate cars usually carry their weight closer to the ground than SUVs, enhancing stability, always a crucial trait in the best caravan tow cars.
What’s more, the additional luggage space in an estate car makes these vehicles ideal for those caravanners who simply refuse to travel light.
Fully electric estate cars are rare, but they do exist. Hybrids are common, and you can still find petrol and diesel models if you prefer.
Just as choosing an SUV doesn’t necessarily mean that the car will be four-wheel drive, so choosing an estate doesn’t mean doing without it. Plenty of estate cars have four-wheel-drive versions. So if luggage space sits close to the top of your list of touring priorities, these are our picks for the best estate tow car, whether you’re thinking of buying a new or used car.
What are the best estate cars for towing?
Mercedes E450 d 4Matic AMG Line Premium Estate
- Price: £83,835
- Kerbweight: 2140kg
- 85% match: 1819kg
- Towing limit: 2100kg
If you have deep pockets, this is arguably the best estate tow car. When diesel power eventually goes, it’s engines like the Merc’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder that we’ll miss the most. It’s immensely strong, yet quiet and smooth. It’s fuel-efficient, too, with an official combined figure of 44.9mpg – and we’ve seen closer to 50mpg on a long motorway drive.
This engine has power and torque to spare, even towing big twin-axles. This version of the E-Class Estate has four-wheel drive, so making good use of all that performance is quite undramatic, even in wet weather.
Stability at speed is also superb, helped by a kerbweight to rival the heft of some luxury 4x4s cars for towing.
In solo driving, the E-Class is supremely comfortable, thanks to the adjustable Airmatic suspension. It’s quiet, too, with very little wind and road noise in the cabin.
There’s lots of space and a luxurious finish, whether you are sitting in the front or the back. The boot capacity of 615 litres is generous, giving you plenty of room for loading those caravan essentials, and beats that of the equivalent Audi or BMW.
The more affordable E220 d has many of the same qualities, and used examples of the older E400 d start at about £24,000.
Volkswagen Passat Estate 1.5eTSI Elegance
- Price: £43,045
- Kerbweight: 1573kg
- 85% match: 1337kg
- Towing limit: 1600kg
If the Mercedes is the ultimate money-no-object estate car, the VW Passat is the best mainstream model, within the reach of many more budgets.
The 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol sets no records with its power and torque figures, but when it comes to the speed limits when towing a caravan, it will happily hold 60mph on the motorway. It’s far from sluggish, so long as you’re sensible when matching the car to a caravan.
Low fuel bills are one of the benefits of choosing the least powerful Passat engine, with an official combined figure of 52.3mpg. While towing, we’ve seen 28.5mpg – plenty of diesels would struggle to beat that.
Although it’s a relatively light car, the Passat is very stable at speed. It tows with the security of a much bigger, heavier car.
The VW is easy to live with day to day, especially when fitted with the optional adaptive suspension. This can be tuned for a more comfortable ride than the standard set-up.
Inside, the Passat is also exceptionally roomy for both passengers and luggage. There’s no load lip to lift heavy items over, and the boot capacity of 650 litres is really good. Only the Škoda Superb Estate has more space for bags.
Prices for a 2024 model start from around £31,000, which is a huge saving over new.
BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Touring
- Price: £76,455
- Kerbweight: 2255kg
- 85% match: Above max tow
- Towing limit: 1500kg
The BMW i5 is one of the very best electric tow cars on sale, and it’s at its most practical as an estate. The Touring has a 570-litre boot capacity with every seat upright.
We’ve yet to tow with the i5, but there’s every indication that it will make a very capable tow car. For one thing, it’s heavy, with a kerbweight of 2255kg. For another, it is powerful, with 340hp and 295lb ft of torque.
Compared to the equivalent diesel, the towing capacity of 1500kg is low, but it’s enough for many family caravans to make suitable matches.
In solo driving, the BMW is quiet, quick and extremely accomplished. For such a heavy car, the i5 handles well, although it’s a little less agile than the old 5 Series.
The cabin is very roomy and luxurious for both driver and passengers alike, while the smart twin-screen dashboard makes older BMW models look quite dated inside.
Company car drivers gain low benefit-in-kind tax rates, but it’s a shame the asking price for private buyers is so high.
If you are spending your own money, a nearly new example offers a substantial saving over a factory-fresh model. We’ve seen a 2024 car with 10,000 miles on the clock at £43,000.
Škoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L DSG
- Price: £37,070
- Kerbweight: 1477kg
- 85% match: 1255kg
- Towing limit: 1600kg
It would be easy to justify a place for either the Škoda Octavia Estate or the larger Superb Estate on this list. Both are exceptional.
We’ve plumped for the Octavia because of its lower price, and because the Superb is largely the same as the Volkswagen Passat (they are made on the same production line).
While many manufacturers have already stopped producing new diesels, Škoda still offers both estates with diesel power.
Our chosen model uses the 150hp version of the Volkswagen Group’s 2.0-litre diesel. It’s an engine that could have been purpose-made for towing, providing plenty of pulling power and excellent fuel economy.
The Octavia is roomy for people as well as luggage. There’s more than enough space for adults in the second row, while the 640-litre luggage capacity embarrasses many larger and more expensive vehicles.
Some alternatives are more fun to drive, but the Octavia rides comfortably and makes a very fine car for long trips.
Shop for a 2022 model, and you’ll pay around £15,000 for an example with 75,000 miles on the clock. Cars of similar age but average mileage will be nearer to £20,000.
Take a look at our review of the 2023 Škoda Octavia Estate 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L DSG.
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer 1.2 130PS GS Line Auto
- Price: £34,305
- Kerbweight: 1421kg
- 85% match: 1208kg
- Towing limit: 1400/1200kg
Being affordably priced is no barrier to practicality – the Astra is the cheapest car here, but has more luggage space than the BMW i5 Tourer at double the price.
The Astra’s boot capacity is 597 litres, dropping to 517 litres for the plug-in hybrid.
In part for that reason, but also to keep the price down, we would recommend the 130hp petrol for private buyers.
Although it might not have the pulling power of the best turbodiesels, it can handle the additional strain of pulling a lightweight caravan.
Go for a new model with towing gear fitted at the factory and the towing capacity is 1400kg. Just bear in mind that if the towbar and electrics are fitted at a later stage, the capacity is 200kg lower.
Either way, the Astra Sports Tourer drives well, with and without a caravan. It’s not as much fun as a Ford Focus, but the Vauxhall handles neatly and has a firmly controlled ride.
Inside, there’s plenty of room in the front, although the dash is a little dull compared with the striking exterior. Rear-seat passengers have less room than they’d find in a Škoda Octavia.
Prices for 2023 models start at around the £15,000 mark for high-mileage examples. You could even look at what we have to say about buying a used Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer (2015-2021).
After choosing your car and hitching up your tourer, one thing you will want to avoid is the common errors that can occur on the road. I’m here to help, as I take a look at five towing mistakes and what you can do to prevent making them.
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