In the world of tow cars, big is usually seen as a good thing. Big means heavy, heavy makes for favourable matching ratios, and a well-matched car and caravan are more stable. However, the best small SUV for towing a caravan certainly has its place.
The best SUV for towing a caravan can make excellent choices for pulling a tourer. However, for those who own a lightweight caravan, a big tow car isn’t necessary. A more compact car will be sufficient, while costing less to buy and run. Besides, these days the best small tow cars, especially a small SUV, isn’t really small at all.
The next time you see a classic car such as an old MGB parked next to a modern hatchback or crossover, you’ll be reminded just how much bigger today’s cars have become.
Here, we’re sharing five of the best small SUVs for towing, featuring models from VW, Kia, Škoda, and more.
Vehicles pictured may not be exact model or year
The best small SUV for towing
VW T-Roc 1.5 eTSI 150PS R-Line DSG
Kia EV3 GT-Line
Dacia Duster Mild Hybrid 140 Journey
Škoda Kamiq 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L Edition
Ford Puma mHEV 125PS ST-Line
The best small SUV for towing a caravan
VW T-Roc 1.5 eTSI 150PS R-Line DSG
- Price: £38,935
- Kerbweight: 1474kg
- 85% match: 1253kg
- Maximum towing limit: 1500kg
The old Volkswagen T-Roc was a good small SUV car for towing, and the new one is even better. It’s a more enjoyable drive and there’s more space inside, which will always be tempting features when looking for the best cars for towing a caravan.
In fact, the T-Roc is roomy enough to be well worth a test drive before committing to the larger and pricier Tiguan. The driver and front-seat passenger have lots of space and there’s room for adults in the back provided they aren’t too tall.
We’ve already towed with the new T-Roc, and we’re looking forward to a longer drive soon. On first acquaintance, it proved very stable, towing with the composure of a larger car. It feels like a big SUV that’s shrunk in the wash.
The 150hp mild-hybrid petrol has enough poke to handle a sensible car/caravan match. Although approved to pull 1500kg, we’d recommend towing no more than 85% of the car’s kerbweight for the sake of stability and performance.
R-Line models are well equipped while keeping the price below £40,000. This will save £440 per year for five years in Vehicle Excise Duty from the car’s first birthday onwards.
While the latest T-Roc has only just gone on sale, the old model costs around £18,000 for a 2023 car with 70,000 miles.
Kia EV3 GT-Line
- Price: £35,490
- Kerbweight: 1930kg
- 85% match: ABOVE MAX TOW
- Towing limit: 1000kg
Kia builds some of the best electric cars on sale. Both the EV6 and the EV9 are among our favourite electric tow cars.
The trouble is, the EV9 is far bigger than many of us need and more expensive than lots of us can afford. Which is where the new EV3 comes in.
We’ve yet to tow with an EV3 but given the lowly towing capacity of 1000kg and the 1930kg kerbweight, it would be very surprising if the Kia were not a stable tow car. That maximum towing figure will rule out the EV3 for most caravanners, but micro-caravans and trailer tents will be fine.
With 201bhp and the instant response of an electric motor, the EV3 should easily pull the likes of the Bailey Discovery D4-2 up to speed.
The GT-Line model has the larger of the two available batteries, giving an official solo range of 375 miles. As a rough guide, we’ve found that range halves while towing, which suggests over 180 miles should be possible between charges while pulling a lightweight tourer. The EV3 is too new for used cars to be available. However, there are already discounted deals available on new examples online.
Dacia Duster Mild Hybrid 140 Journey
- Price: £23,545
- Kerbweight: 1445kg*
- 85% match: 1228kg
- Towing limit: 1500kg
*Including 75kg for the driver not included in Dacia’s published kerbweight
The Duster offers more for your money than any other car on this list. In fact, it’s one of the best value SUVs on sale. We’ve gone for the mid-spec Journey model, but even one up from the base trim costs just £23,545. That makes this comfortably the most affordable of our five small SUVs.
Updates last year added more power to the mild-hybrid engine. However, it’s frustrating that the more powerful and economical full hybrid has a measly 750kg towing capacity, making the mild hybrid the only option for owners of full-size caravans.
The Duster isn’t as sharp to drive as the VW T-Roc and the interior is less welcoming, but there’s nothing much to forgive considering the price difference.
A comfortable ride helps the miles pass by, and the engine stays quiet unless it’s worked really hard. There’s some wind and road noise at speed, but nothing too intrusive.
Perhaps the Duster’s biggest weakness is a three-star rating from Euro NCAP, which lags behind the maximum five-star score achieved by some more expensive alternatives. A 2023 car with around 50,000 miles will cost close to £12,500, so the Duster is an even bigger bargain on the used market.
Škoda Kamiq 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L Edition
- Price: £30,160
- Kerbweight: 1290kg
- 85% match: 1097kg
- Towing limit: 1250kg
If you have a budget of £30,000 to spend and you own a lightweight tourer, you will struggle to choose a better car than the Škoda Kamiq.
Even the 1.0-litre models tow surprisingly well, but the extra poke of the 150hp 1.5-litre engine is worth spending more for.
For such a small and light car, the Kamiq is very stable indeed. It tracks straight and true on the motorway and remains composed on a twisty country road.
You’ll need a careful balance of clutch and throttle if you have to make a hill-start while towing, although the DSG auto model makes for easier starting on a slope for another £1295.
As an everyday drive, the Kamiq is a very impressive all-rounder. While not as much fun as a Ford Puma, it handles tidily and the ride smooths out all but the worst lumps and bumps in the road surface.
Inside, space is remarkably generous for a car which takes up so little space on the road. There’s holiday-friendly luggage space, too, with a capacity of 400 litres with the seats upright.
If you’d prefer to buy used, a 2023 example with 50,000 miles will set you back around £13,000.
Take a look at our review of the Škoda Kamiq 1.5 TSI 150PS Monte Carlo.
Ford Puma mHEV 125PS ST-Line
- Price £28,045
- Kerbweight: 1316kg
- 85% match: ABOVE MAX TOW
- Towing limit: 1100kg
It may have a modest towing capacity, but so long as your caravan weighs 1100kg or less you will really love driving the Ford Puma.
Since the demise of the Fiesta, the Puma is the smallest Ford model on sale. It’s barely bigger than a supermini yet has a super-practical 456-litre boot (including under-floor storage).
Inside, the standard of finish isn’t anything special and rear space is no better than it should be. However, that’s soon forgotten when you start to drive the Puma. It’s nippy, lively and eager in a way few small SUVs can match.
It tows well, too. The 1100kg towing capacity is high enough for towing small caravans such as the Swift Basecamp 2. The engine needs to be worked hard while towing but it’s up to the job, and stability is very good for such a small car.
ST-Line is one up from the entry-level Titanium, and adds sports suspension, sports seats, and power-folding mirrors to the list of standard kit. A solid roster of safety equipment contributes to a respectable four-star rating from Euro NCAP.
Used prices offer very good value. We have seen a 60,000-mile 2023 car advertised for £11,300.
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