The best 4×4 for towing a caravan really comes into its own when you’re touring, especially if you don’t like to let the Great British Weather stand between you and your holiday.
The best caravan tow car is always going to offer stability, reliability and comfort for all passengers, and these are traits that can be found in the standout 4x4s for towing. Today’s big 4x4s offer flexible seating, lots of room, and generous luggage space. Kerbweights of over 2t aren’t uncommon either in the larger models, but remember to check the car’s towing capacity.
SUVs are the obvious choice when you’re looking for a 4×4 for towing a caravan, but they’re not the only option. A hatchback or estate car with four-wheel drive can be better to drive, cheaper to run, and quite possibly more practical than an SUV. What’s more, the popularity of used SUVs can lead to stiff price competition.
You could buy an estate tow car that will tow just as well for a whole lot less, or a newer car for similar money. And as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, value for money counts more than ever.
The downsides are that 4x4s are expensive to buy, and some models are thirsty. However, the first of those drawbacks can be mitigated by buying used, the second by choosing a highly efficient diesel or a petrol-electric hybrid.
Choose wisely and you will be able to enjoy many miles of stable, confident towing in all weathers, ideal for fans of winter caravanning. Here, we’re sharing our picks for the best 4×4 tow cars from recent years to suit different needs and budgets.
The best 4×4 for towing:
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’
Nissan X-Trail e-4orce Tekna
Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid Ultimate 4WD Auto
BMW X5 50e M Sport
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI Black Edition
Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193PS 4×4 SE L DSG
Audi A6 Avant 40 TDI Quattro S tronic
Range Rover Sport D350 Autobiography
Škoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150PS Sportline 4×4 DSG
Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI HEV AWD GT-Line S Auto
The best 4×4 for towing a caravan
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’
- Price: £46,195
- Kerbweight: 1929kg
- 85% match: 1640kg
- Max towing weight: 2500kg
Diesel may be steadily declining in popularity, but it still makes good sense for towing.
That’s especially true when manufacturers saddle hybrids with hopeless towing figures. The latest Sorento now has towing capacities of 1110kg for the full hybrid and 1010kg for the plug-in hybrid version. Fortunately, Kia still sells the diesel model, with its far more useful 2500kg maximum.
Kia’s 2.2-litre diesel engine could have been purpose-built for towing a caravan, with its barrel-chested 325lb ft of pulling power. That’s enough to comfortably handle any sensible car/caravan match.
The Sorento might not be so quick, but the strong engine makes the Kia feel like it could tow through brick walls, just one of the traits that saw our judging panel name it the best car for towing a 1500kg caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2025.
Inside, the infotainment is a little less easy to use than before. Otherwise, the car is practical and thoughtfully designed. All three rows of seats have good space – even the back seats are acceptable for adults if the middle row is moved forward on its runners. There are plenty of cupholders and USB chargers, so nobody needs to go thirsty or find their phone running flat.
Shop for a 2022 car with just over 23,000 miles and you’ll pay around £33,795.
Full review: Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’
Range Rover Sport D350 Autobiography
- Price: £102,625
- Kerbweight: 2435kg
- 85% match: 2070kg
- Towing limit: 3500kg
If you are lucky enough to have such a high budget, the Range Rover Sport is an excellent choice. Our pick for the best tow car for a 2000kg caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2025 combines the luxury of the regular Range Rover with a firmer but still comfortable suspension set-up. The result is a supremely able tow car.
The Range Rover Sport is exceptionally stable, and thanks to the powerful D350 diesel engine, it can tow the heaviest twin-axle tourers up to speed with ease.
While cruising along at 60mph, the Range Rover Sport is hushed and quiet. The cabin is wonderfully comfortable, whether you are a driver or a passenger. There’s plenty
of room to stretch out in the front and the back.
Leave the caravan behind and the Range Rover Sport is not as exciting as a Porsche Cayenne, but then a Porsche is nothing like as smooth and refined over rough roads as the Range Rover Sport.
This generation of Range Rover Sport is still quite new, but shop for the previous version and you’ll pay much less than the new price. Searching online, we found a 2022 D300 with 35,000 miles on the clock advertised for £66,000.
Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid Ultimate 4WD Auto
- Price: £47,760
- Kerbweight: 1842kg
- 85% match: 1566kg
- Towing limit: 1650kg
We think this is one of the most practical SUVs you could buy, with plenty of space and features provided – in fact, when we tested it earlier in the year, David Motton said the “Santa Fe is now our favourite non-premium 4×4”. The diesel is possibly the pick of the range for towing, but if you’re after a hybrid which is competent and composed, this could be the right one for you.
One thing we found straight away with this 4×4 tow car was how straightforward it was to hitch up a caravan, as was the process of attaching the towing mirrors – and if you need a pair, take a look at our guide to the best caravan towing mirrors to see our favourite options.
As we towed a Swift Fairway Platinum Grande 580, we immediately noted just how at home it felt with a caravan to tow. The petrol engine and electric motor work together to allow brisk acceleration, although pulling away from junctions could lead to a moment of hesitation when the motor was relied on before turning to the engine.
This is a 4×4 towing option which prioritises comfort with its suspension, as opposed to more sporty handling, yet it still feels secure and stable when towing at speed. Slight movements were felt when HGVs were overtaking our tester, but nothing major, and any movement from the tourer didn’t last long.
A hill start on a 1-in-10 slope proved no problem either, even though we were towing in wintry conditions at the time.
The tow car works well for everyday use, and it feels composed at high speeds. Inside, you’ll find electrically adjustable front seats, along with a fairly straightforward 10.25-inch touchscreen. We were also pleased to see the sensibly separated air-con controls.
Full review: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid Ultimate 4WD Auto
BMW X5 50e M Sport
- Price: £82,055
- Kerbweight: 2495kg
- 85% match: 2121kg
- Towing limit: 2700kg
The BMW X5 is an excellent alternative to the Range Rover Sport for well-heeled caravanners. While we’ve chosen the diesel Range Rover, we’ve picked the plug-in hybrid BMW.
Choosing the 50e makes sense for company car drivers who pay a tax percentage based on the car’s carbon dioxide emissions. For business users and private buyers alike, the car’s electric range of 62 miles promises low running costs, so long as the driver can recharge at home.
After hitching up a caravan, it’s impossible to be unimpressed by the X5’s performance and stability. It accelerates while pulling a luxury caravan more quickly than many cars can manage with just the driver on board. More importantly, the big BMW is rock solid at the legal limit. In fact, we’ve gone faster than 60mph at a test track with no sign of instability.
Without a caravan, the X5 is remarkably agile for such a heavy car. The cabin is superb, but the hybrid components mean the 50e has space for five rather than seven.
Put off by the price? Try shopping for the older 45e model. A 2022 car with 56,000 miles will cost around £43,000.
Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI Black Edition
- Price: £72,875
- Kerbweight: 2122kg
- 85% match: 1803kg
- Towing limit: 3500kg
A consistently underrated car, the Volkswagen Touareg has similar capabilities to an Audi Q7 or a BMW X5, but for a lower price. You couldn’t call just under £73,000 a bargain, but it is good value compared with luxury 4x4s from more prestigious brands.
Over the years, every Touareg we’ve driven has impressed with its stability. The high kerbweight is a factor, but there are many heavier 4x4s than the VW. The well-judged suspension set-up also plays an important part.
The diesel engine suits towing down to the ground, with mountainous power and torque figures. Hill starts are a doddle, and steep gradients hardly slow the VW at all.
If the weather takes a turn for the worse, the 4Motion 4×4 system helps put the car’s power to the road cleanly.
While the Volkswagen isn’t as able off road as a Land Rover, it should cope with anything that’s likely to be thrown at it while towing.
There’s space for five inside. So long as you don’t need seven seats, there’s lots of room for everyone to be comfortable, and an enormous boot.
Around £43,000 should be enough to get you a 2022 car on 40,000 miles.
Nissan X-Trail e-4orce Tekna
- Price: £45,310
- Kerbweight: 1880kg
- 85% match: 1598kg
- Towing limit: 1800kg
This thoughtfully designed 4×4 tow car is a hybrid which may be relatively lightweight, with a kerbweight of 1880kg, but it offers an excellent towing limit of 1800kg, giving experienced drivers a good choice of tourers to pick from. When we tested it, we liked how refined it felt, with the tow car engine only heard occasionally.
It offers an excellent experience when hitched up to a tourer, as you would expect from one of the best SUVs for towing. The stability it offers is another big factor in its favour, with only mild hints of movement when overtaking HGVs at motorway speeds. However, one thing we would point out is its economy – even when we were in favourable conditions, the average indication was 21.4mpg.
Solo driving was excellent though – this is a 4×4 tow car that’s capable of cruising with ease at motorway speeds and also has some punch for overtaking. In fact, our reviewer, Nigel Hutson, remarked: “it felt totally secure and was a very pleasant drive”.
There’s a nice amount of space too, with electrically adjustable seats in the front. Excellent boot space is provided, while three should be able to travel in reasonable comfort in the back seats, despite that hint of transmission tunnel.
Full review: Nissan X-Trail e-4orce Tekna
Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193PS 4×4 SE L DSG
- Price: £47,440
- Kerbweight: 1854kg
- 85% match: 1576kg
- Towing limit: 2400kg
The new Škoda Kodiaq picks up where the last one left off. It really is an excellent family tow car.
While over £47,000 is hardly small change, we think it is sensibly priced for a car of this size and ability.
We’ve chosen the more powerful of the two diesel engines, not least because this model is a proper 4×4, while most other Kodiaq versions are front-wheel drive.
Sending power to all four wheels has the obvious benefit of better traction and adds to the Kodiaq’s kerbweight.
The Škoda is comfortable to travel in, especially with the optional adaptive chassis fitted. However, the relatively soft suspension doesn’t compromise stability while towing. We’d happily tow any sensibly matched caravan long distances in the Škoda.
Inside, the car has improved infotainment compared with the previous generation. It’s easy to use, and Škoda has kept the air-con controls separate.
Some versions of the Kodiaq have five seats, others, seven. Our model is a seven-seater. Space in the third row is tight, but otherwise everyone has plenty of space.
Shop for the older model, and you’ll pay around £27,000 for a 30,000-mile 150hp diesel 4×4 from 2022.
Audi A6 Avant 40 TDI Quattro S tronic
- Price: £51,455
- Kerbweight: 1845kg
- 85% match: 1568kg
- Towing limit: 2000kg
Audi has long championed four-wheel drive for saloons and estates as well as SUVs. The A6 Avant Quattro is one of the very best of the breed.
From the outside, there’s nothing obvious to mark this out as a 4×4, apart from some discreet Quattro badging. Instead, the big Audi looks very much like any other upmarket estate car.
The 40 TDI would be our choice for towing. The diesel engine has 295lb ft of torque, enough to cope with any sensibly matched caravan.
Whichever engine is fitted, we have always found the A6 Avant a secure and stable tow car. Compared with a big SUV, it keeps its weight low to the ground, which contributes
to a secure feeling when you are hauling a caravan along
the motorway.
Inside, the Audi is very well finished, as it should be at this price. There’s plenty of room for passengers and their bags, and the comfortable ride makes longer journeys a pleasure.
Keen drivers might prefer the BMW 5 Series Touring, which is rather more agile and responsive, but others will find the Audi’s softer suspension more appealing.
Look in the classified ads, and 19-reg cars with 50,000 miles on the clock are being advertised for about £26,000.
Škoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150PS Sportline 4×4 DSG
- Price: £38,515
- Kerbweight: 1656kg
- 85% match: 1408kg
- Towing limit: 2100kg
Upon taking the 2022 Karoq for a test, our reviewer remarked “some vehicles just feel at home with a caravan behind them, and the Karoq is one of them”. The stability it offers is excellent, and it felt in control on all types of road, with accurate steering and good suspension.
Hill starts are no problem in this vehicle and towing to the top of a 1-in-6 slope also proved a simple task. We found it offered that sense of security you get from a two-tonne SUV, with virtually no movement felt when overtaking HGVs.
Its 2.0-litre diesel engine is well-suited to the challenge of towing, getting on with the job at hand, without a need to work the engine hard.
The Sportline models come on 19-inch alloys, giving a firmer ride than a Karoq with smaller alloys and taller tyres. It’s smooth when solo driving, and gets better as its speed rises, making it ideal for motorways.
Another useful feature is its length of less than 4.4m – this makes it easy to negotiate urban areas and park up, yet you still get a spacious interior. Rear seats have good head- and legroom, while those sitting up front will find bolstered seats and an eight-inch infotainment screen.
It’s great to tow with, handles well on twisty roads, and has excellent fuel economy (we had 29mpg while towing) – this is an impressive 4×4 for towing a caravan.
Full review: Škoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150PS Sportline 4×4 DSG
Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI HEV AWD GT-Line S Auto
- Price: £41,000
- Kerbweight: 1715kg
- 85% match: 1458kg
- Towing limit: 1650kg
This very capable option is a full hybrid tow car which, in 4×4 guise, offers a kerbweight of 1715kg and a legal towing limit of 1650kg.
When testing the Kia, we found it was able to tow up to speed quickly, with enough muscle to pull a sensibly matched tourer, courtesy of its 226bhp and 258lb ft of torque. We did note the six-speed automatic gearbox could hold onto high revs for longer than seemed necessary, so it could be a bit noisy when towing uphill or accelerating along country roads. However, this settled down when reaching the caravan speed limit of 60 mph on a motorway.
It’s a relatively stable 4×4 too, although it wasn’t immune to crosswinds and the caravan could sometimes be felt pushing and shoving a bit on bumpier country roads.
Yet a hill start was simple, with no wheelspin on a 1-in-10 slope, while towing at a slow speed was a doddle.
Space inside isn’t a problem either, with room for our 6′ 3″ reviewer to sit comfortably in the driver’s seat. Compared to a typical SUV, you sit low to the floor, but we found it didn’t pose any problems after a day behind the wheel either.
There’s also plenty of room for luggage – 587 litres, which can be increased to 1776 litres by dropping the back seats.
If you tow all year round, this 4×4 is a very attractive option, and we liked the straightforward touchscreen in the fully digital cockpit too.
Full review: Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI HEV AWD GT-Line S Auto
Written with contributions from Peter Byrne.
See what I had to say about the hybrid vs plug-in hybrid debate too, as I consider which is the better option for towing.
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