If there’s one thing you can predict about the British weather, it’s that it’s unpredictable. Sunshine could be replaced by showers moments later – in some parts ‘four seasons in one day’ isn’t uncommon.
All-year caravanners need a tow car that’s up to the job. The best 4×4 cars for towing a caravan makes for more secure towing when the roads are damp, and dividing the engine’s power between four wheels rather than two makes for better traction.
Wet-weather hill starts are easier, and pulling away from junctions is undramatic, which can make them an attractive proposition for those looking for the best car for towing a caravan.
So, whether you want a tow car that can cope with a wet summer or a vehicle that can allow you to enjoy winter caravanning, here are five of our favourite cars for towing in the rain.
The best cars for towing in the rain
Kia Sportage Hybrid GT-Line S AWD
- Price: £44,195
- Kerbweight: 1733kg
- 85% match figure: 1473kg
- Maximum towing weight: 1510kg
Kia’s Sportage SUV has been a popular tow car for many years. Recent updates have made today’s Sportage the best version of the model yet.
There’s more power than before, which gives a small but worthwhile improvement in acceleration while towing.
More importantly, the Kia is a very stable tow car. It keeps the caravan under control, even in breezy weather, and tows with confidence in all conditions. Full hybrid buyers have the choice of two and four-wheel drive when choosing one of the high-spec GT-Line S models, with the 4×4 being the obvious choice for all-weather towing.
In everyday driving, the Sportage is fuel efficient, with real-world economy of 50mpg being achievable.
The Kia drives well without a caravan, with a comfortable ride and tidy handling, although it’s not as much fun behind the wheel as a Cupra Ateca.
Inside, there’s plenty of space to seat four in comfort and five without too much compromise. The cabin is well made and packed with thoughtful features, such as USB-C ports in the backs of the front seats so those in the back can keep phones and tablets fully charged.
Look for a used example, and you can expect to pay around £23,990 for a 2023 car with 36,000 miles on the clock.
Read our review of the Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDI GT-Line S AWD
Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193PS Sportline DSG 4×4
- Price: £51,575
- Kerbweight: 1852kg
- 85% match: 1574kg
- Towing limit: 2400kg
Whatever the weather, the Škoda Kodiaq is one of our favourite tow cars. It tows superbly in the dry but really comes into its own when towing in the rain.
The 4×4 system helps the big Škoda put its power to the road cleanly. Pulling away on a slope is no trouble in the Kodiaq.
Wet or dry, the Škoda is very stable. Even in the disturbed air around big HGVs it tracks straight and true.
On country roads, you’ll find the Kodiaq diesel has power in reserve for decisive overtaking. While diesel may be in decline, the 2.0-litre unit in the Škoda shows this type of engine still has something to offer caravanners, with powerful acceleration and consistently good fuel economy.
Inside, the Kodiaq is very practical. The diesel has room for a third row of seats, something that’s not possible in the plug-in hybrid version. Seats six and seven are best left to children on long drives, but adults can squeeze in for short trips.
Lower the third row and there’s plenty of space for holiday luggage and those essential caravan accessories.
Look for a three-year-old example of the previous generation, and you’ll pay around £20,975 for a 50,000-mile car on a 23-plate.
Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid Ultimate 4WD
- Price: £54,695
- Kerbweight: 2040kg*
- 85% match: 1734kg
- Towing limit: 2000kg
*Includes 75kg for the driver, not included in Hyundai’s published kerbweight
After launching with disappointing towing capacities, the Hyundai Santa Fe is now back on the radar of many tow car buyers thanks to more power and an uprated towing limit.
The hybrid 4×4 model is approved to pull up to two tonnes, although we’d recommend towing no more than 85% of the kerbweight for the sake of stability. That still leaves a wide choice of family tourers as suitable car/caravan matches.
Even with the upgraded power output for 2026, the Santa Fe isn’t the quickest of big 4x4s. However, there’s enough pull to cope with towing duties.
Stability trumps acceleration every time, and we’ve found the latest Santa Fe makes a very stable tow car. Choose the AWD version and you can expect secure performance whatever the road conditions.
Inside, the Santa Fe’s space and practicality are very impressive. There’s room for seven, with a more accommodating third row than you’ll find the in the Škoda Kodiaq. The cabin is solidly made from high-quality materials, with lots of head- and legroom and ample storage dotted around the cabin.
Avoid earlier versions of the current model with their low towing limit – an old-shape Santa Fe hybrid from 2023 will have a 1650kg capacity.
We’ve seen a 43,000-mile car advertised for £25,450.
Land Rover Discovery D350 Landmark
- Price: £75,860
- Kerbweight: 2442kg
- 85% match: 2076kg
- Towing limit: 3500kg
Although it’s been eclipsed in sales terms by the Defender, we think the Land Rover Discovery is the more practical choice. It’s a roomier seven-seater and has a larger luggage capacity.
Whether you are Team Defender or Team Discovery, either car makes short work of towing in wet weather. Of course, being a Land Rover, every version has four-wheel drive, and the Discovery will go far further off road than any of us would venture with a caravan.
Today’s Discovery is powered by a mild-hybrid diesel with 350hp and 516 lb ft of torque. Those are big numbers – as they need to be when towing a big twin-axle tourer. However heavy your caravan, the Land Rover will cope.
In everyday driving, the Discovery has plenty of performance and a comfortable ride. It’s not as fun as a BMW X5, but it is close to ideal for long journeys.
Even with mild-hybrid assistance, expect fuel economy of just 33.2-35mpg, according to official tests. It’s expensive to buy, too, costing around £20,000 more than alternatives with less upmarket badges.
You can make a considerable saving shopping for a used example. Expect to spend in the region of £33,000 for a 65,000-mile D300 from 2023.
BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport
- Price: £63,155
- Kerbweight: 2360kg
- 85% match: Above max tow
- Towing limit: 2000kg
Range is one of the biggest issues when towing with an electric car. The latest BMW iX3 does more than most to address that – in this spec, the solo range is officially 490 miles. As a rough guide, we’ve found that the distance between charges halves while towing, which would give a range of 245 miles.
We’ve yet to tow a long distance with the iX3 to put that to the test. However, during our brief stint towing with the car we were very impressed. Stability at speed was excellent, and this powerful car accelerated to 60mph in next to no time.
Some electric cars are hampered by poor towing capacities. However, the iX3 can tow 2000kg, so there are few caravans that won’t make a suitable match.
In this spec, the iX3 should tow well in wet weather, too, thanks to the xDrive 4×4 system.
Inside, the iX3 is roomy for five and offers a luxurious standard of finish. The dashboard, with its huge infotainment screen and full-width driver’s display, makes most other cars look old fashioned.
The new iX3 is too new to be on used forecourts in numbers. The old model’s 750kg maximum makes it a non-starter for most caravanners.
Don ‘t miss my pick of the must-have towing equipment either, which can help to make your drive more enjoyable.
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