Our second tow car award is looking at the best car for towing a 1500kg caravan. That typically applies to mid-sized SUVs or estate cars, the kind of vehicles that a great many of us use to tow our tourers.
To do well in this category, cars need to offer strong stability with the performance to match. We’re also looking for plenty of interior space for people and luggage. Some of these cars also offer the flexibility of a third row of seats.
Four-wheel drive isn’t essential, especially for those of us who stick to the traditional touring season and do not plan on winter caravanning. However, it does offer many advantages over front-wheel drive, although 4×4 models tend to cost more and have worse fuel consumption.
The best cars for towing a caravan should be great to drive every day, not just while towing. Even the most enthusiastic caravanner is likely to put more miles on their car in solo driving rather than towing.
With those considerations in mind, these are the mid-sized tow cars we would recommend. The winner at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026 is the Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193PS 4×4 SE L (7st), a car that we consider the ultimate all-rounder for those who are looking for the best car for towing a 1500kg caravan.
For those of you who have a lighter tourer, it could also be worth taking a look at our best small tow cars category.
The best cars for towing a 1500kg caravan
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193PS 4×4 SE L (7st)
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’
Volkswagen Passat 1.5 eTSI Elegance
BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport
Ford Kuga 2.5 FHEV ST-Line FWD
The best car for towing a 1500kg caravan
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193PS 4×4 SE L (7st)
- Price: £49,080
- Kerbweight: 1852kg
- 85% match figure: 1574kg
- Maximum towing weight: 2400kg
Reason to buy:
- It’s the ultimate all-rounder.
Reason to avoid:
- Not an exciting drive.
The best car for towing a 1500kg caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026
It’s a tough call to choose between the Skoda Kodiaq and the Kia Sorento. Last year, we gave the award to the Sorento, but now we’ve had the chance to tow back-to-back with these two 4×4 tow cars. There’s not much in it, but we’ve decided that the Kodiaq deserves top spot.
The Kodiaq is a comfortable car to travel in, both while towing and in everyday driving. It’s a proper Goldilocks-pleasing suspension set-up – not too hard and not too soft.
The ‘just right’ approach extends to the engine, too. The 193hp 2.0-litre is the most powerful diesel in the Kodiaq range, and while there are more powerful petrol models, they won’t be anything like as economical as the diesel. This model returns 44.1-45.5mpg in official tests, and we saw a smidge less than 30mpg while towing a 1259kg caravan.
The seven-seat cabin is spacious and cleverly designed, while SE L specification strikes a sensible balance between price and equipment.
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’
- Price: £47,290
- Kerbweight: 1929kg
- 85% match figure: 1640kg
- Maximum towing weight: 2500kg
Reason to buy:
- For the strength of the diesel engine.
Reason to avoid:
- Could want a premium badge.
The Sorento is a very fine tow car. If you conclude that you prefer it to the winning Skoda we certainly won’t fall out.
Updated just over a year ago, the Sorento looks smart inside and out. There’s substance to go with the style, with a roomy seven-seat cabin packed with family-friendly features.
Some alternatives return better fuel economy figures in official tests, but we saw an impressive 28mpg when we last towed with the Sorento diesel.
Stability is very good if you choose a model with self-levelling suspension. It’s standard on our favoured ‘3’ specification.
There are hybrid versions of the Sorento, but for regular towing, we’d choose the diesel for its higher towing capacity and consistent fuel economy.
In solo driving, the Sorento isn’t as light on its feet as the Skoda Kodiaq. It’s not exactly ponderous, but it doesn’t handle as well as the lighter Skoda and the burly diesel engine can be a little gruff.
Even so, the Sorento is still one of the best cars for towing 1500kg caravan you can buy for sensible money.
Full review: Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi ‘3’
Volkswagen Passat 1.5 eTSI Elegance
- Price: £43,955
- Kerbweight: 1573kg
- 85% match figure: 1337kg
- Maximum towing weight: 1600kg
Reason to buy:
- For exceptional luggage space.
Reason to avoid:
- If you need a heavier tow car.
Truth be told, the Passat is a little light for inclusion in this list. The VW is such a good car, though, so it deserves recognition.
With a kerbweight of 1573kg, only experienced tow car drivers would be wise to tow a 1500kg caravan with the Passat. It would be more prudent to follow the 85% guideline, in which case tourers of 1337kg or less make sensible car/caravan matches.
Towing a caravan of this weight, the Passat makes an extremely stable tow car. The long wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles) and the well-judged suspension allow the VW to tow with great assurance.
The 1.5-litre engine shows how much petrol engines have improved in recent years, with solid performance and very impressive economy.
In solo driving, the Passat is quiet and comfortable. There’s lots of space inside – adults can stretch out in the back.
The big advantage of choosing an estate tow car over an SUV is the luggage capacity. With 690 litres for bags, the Passat is supremely practical for everything-but-the-kitchen-sink caravanners.
BMW X3 20d xDrive M Sport
- Price: £56,340
- Kerbweight: 1965kg
- 85% match figure: 1670kg
- Maximum towing weight: 2500kg
Reason to buy:
- You want a car that’s enjoyable to drive.
Reason to avoid:
- The looks could put you off.
This is the most expensive of the runners-up for this award, but the BMW X3 deserves a place on your shortlist if the £56k price doesn’t put you off.
Your money buys an economical diesel 4×4 that drives superbly with or without a caravan. The 197hp engine is strong enough to tow any well-matched caravan and delivers lively acceleration in solo driving.
Stability is extremely good, and being four-wheel drive the X3 will cope well with bad weather.
It’s a pleasure to drive from day to day, which is also an important factor when buying a car. The BMW is agile for an SUV while still being comfortable enough for the commute and school run.
There’s lots of room inside, too, with noticeably more rear legroom than in the previous generation.
It’s not perfect, though. The controls aren’t as user-friendly as they used to be, and the styling is divisive. Not everyone likes it, but it certainly gets noticed.
If you can live with the looks, the X3 is the keen driver’s choice.
Ford Kuga 2.5 FHEV ST-Line FWD
- Price: £38,345
- Kerbweight: 1689kg
- 85% match figure: 1436kg
- Maximum towing weight: 1600kg
Reason to buy:
- Provides hybrid economy at a keen price.
Reason to avoid:
- You could need more luggage space.
The Ford Kuga is the value-for-money choice in our middle weight division. In ST-Line spec this capable full hybrid costs under £40,000.
Tow at 60mph, and the Kuga feels secure, but it doesn’t quite match the likes of the Skoda Kodiaq. You sometimes notice movements from the caravan tugging at the back of the car while slowing down.
The combination of a 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor make for determined acceleration, although it’s a shame the engine sounds so strained when working hard.
In everyday driving, the Kuga it drives well. Cornering is nimble and there’s enough punch for swift overtaking. The ride is a little firm, though.
Passengers are taken care off with plenty of space in the front and the back. However, the boot is relatively small for a car of this size. What’s more, the standard of finish is quite basic, with lots of hard and unappealing plastics.
Take a look at my review of the Ford Kuga 2.5 FHEV 183PS ST-Line X AWD.
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