Tow cars come in all shapes and sizes. Bigger may be better if you have a large and heavy caravan, but the best small tow car will be perfectly up to the challenge if your caravan is light.
Smaller and lighter usually means cheaper too, which never hurts when you’re looking for the best caravan tow car. Combine a lightweight and efficient tow car with a lightweight and small caravan, and you can expect low fuel bills as well.
The whole market is moving away from diesel power, and that process has happened more quickly among lighter cars. These engines may need a few more revs while towing than the best turbodiesels, but they don’t feel out of their depth.
So, if you are in the market for a small but stable tow car, the Practical Caravan Awards 2026 are here to help, as these are the models we’d recommend.
This year, we’re naming the Nissan Qashqai DiG-T MHEV 158 N-Connecta as the best small tow car (under 1500kg) on the market, as we’re impressed by how it manages to provide big car stability, despite its compactness.
The best small tow cars
Nissan Qashqai DiG-T MHEV 158 N-Connecta
Seat Ateca 1.5 TSI Evo 150PS SE Technology DSG
Skoda Kamiq 1.5 TSI SE L Edition
Ford Puma 1.0 Ecoboost MHEV 125PS ST-Line X
Dacia Duster TCe 130 Expression
The best small tow car
Nissan Qashqai DiG-T MHEV 158 N-Connecta
- Price: £35,405
- Kerbweight: 1420kg
- 85% match figure: 1207kg
- Maximum towing weight: 1650kg
Reason to buy:
- Provides big-car stability.
Reason to avoid:
- Not for those who want an entertaining drive.
The best small tow car (under 1500kg) at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026
The Qashqai makes an excellent all-round family SUV tow car. It’s a very capable lightweight tow car, too.
Stability at speed is very good. In fact, it almost feels like a larger SUV from behind the wheel. In an emergency lane-change at a test track, we found the Nissan to be very secure.
A little more muscle from very low revs would be welcome, but so long as you are happy to rev the engine, the Qashqai has a respectable turn of pace. The manual gearbox helps the driver make the most of the available performance.
From day to day, the Qashqai is very easy to live with. It’s a quiet car to drive, and the ride is on the firm side of comfortable.
For a relatively small tow car, there’s plenty of space for passengers. Some rivals have more luggage room, though.
With a list price of over £35,000 the Nissan is no bargain, but a little online research shows big savings on the official price are available.
Seat Ateca 1.5 TSI Evo 150PS SE Technology DSG
- Price: £33,720
- Kerbweight: 1418kg
- 85% match figure: 1205kg
- Maximum towing weight: 1600kg
Reason to buy:
- Provides a sporty drive and stable tow.
Reason to avoid:
- Not for those who want a soft ride.
For many years, the Seat Ateca has been one of our favourite small tow cars. It’s an ageing design but still runs the Qashqai close.
With its sporty suspension, the Seat stays firmly in control of the caravan while towing. Even in breezy weather, the Ateca keeps the tourer on a short leash.
The 1.5 TSI engine is punchy enough for towing but fuel efficient, too, shutting down two of its four cylinders under light loads to save fuel. There’s no longer a diesel in the range, but with this engine, you shouldn’t miss it too much.
Leave the caravan on its pitch and the Ateca proves a sharp-driving SUV. It will keep keen drivers happy without making passengers feel uncomfortable. That said, a Skoda Karoq is more forgiving of rough road surfaces.
The dashboard controls are easy to use – unlike some more recent models, the Ateca doesn’t rely too heavily on the touchscreen.
The cabin is roomy for people and luggage.
Skoda Kamiq 1.5 TSI SE L Edition
- Price: £30,140
- Kerbweight: 1288kg
- 85% match figure: 1095kg
- Maximum towing weight: 1250kg
Reason to buy:
- Provides lots of space from a small car.
Reason to avoid:
- Doesn’t have clever rear seats.
The Skoda Kamiq is a very light car by modern standards. What’s more, this model has a towing capacity of just 1250kg. However, if you own a very light caravan, the Kamiq makes an excellent tow car.
With 150hp and 184lb ft, the 1.5-litre engine has more than enough power and torque in a car this light. It will pull the likes of a Swift Basecamp 2 with ease.
The suspension is quite soft, but that doesn’t seem to hurt the Skoda’s stability. It tows straight and true at motorway speeds (see: the speed limits when towing a caravan for more on this).
Inside, there’s more space than you’d expect from such a small SUV. It’s a shame the rear seats don’t slide or recline like those in some rivals, though, and if you are looking for a high-up driving position, you will be disappointed.
SE L Edition cars come with a respectable list of standard kit, including 18-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, and heated front seats.
Ford Puma 1.0 Ecoboost MHEV 125PS ST-Line X
- PriceP £29,030
- Kerbweight: 1316kg
- 85% match figure: ABOVE MAX TOW
- Maximum towing weight: 1100kg
Reason to buy:
- Offers a lively drive.
Reason to avoid:
- Doesn’t provide an upmarket finish.
Last year we recommended the Ford Focus, but that car is now out of production. The Puma makes a fine substitute.
The 1.0-litre engine punches above its modest capacity, but even so, it could do with more pulling power for towing. Stick with a lightweight tourer and it’s up to the job but you won’t be going anywhere in a hurry.
There is a more powerful version of the same engine, but it comes with an auto ’box rather than a manual and the towing capacity drops by 200kg.
It’s what happens when you’ve finished towing that makes this car special. The Puma is a hoot to drive, with precise steering and nimble cornering. The trade-off is a ride that some may find too stiff for comfort.
The cabin is a mixed bag. Those in the front will be comfortable and there’s a big boot, but rear space could be better. What’s more, the standard of finish is less plush than in some alternatives.
Dacia Duster TCe 130 Expression
- Price: £21,820
- Kerbweight: 1379kg*
- 85% match figure: 1172kg
- Maximum towing weight: 1500kg
*Including 75kg for the driver not included in Duster’s published kerbweight.
Reason to buy:
- To make the most of your budget.
Reason to avoid:
- If you want all the latest driver aids.
The Dacia Duster makes this list first and foremost on value for money. It is by far the most affordable car among our runners-up.
It’s not just the low price which looks after the pennies: in official tests the Duster achieves 52.3mpg.
As a tow car, it’s good rather than great. If the wind picks up the caravan tugs at the back of the Duster more than it would a Nissan Qashqai. But then the Qashqai costs over £13,000 more. You could buy a very nice used tourer with that price difference.
We’ve gone for the two-wheel-drive version of the Duster as that’s the model we’ve towed with. However, you can have the same mild-hybrid engine with four-wheel drive, which increases the kerbweight for better matching ratios as well as improved traction. It makes the Duster a fine choice for caravanners who enjoy caravanning in winter.
A three-star safety rating from the safety experts at Euro NCAP is disappointing.
Take a look at my pick of the standout towing gadgets too, accessories that I think can make a big difference when you’re behind the wheel of your vehicle.
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