Winter is the most challenging time of year to tow a caravan. The roads are often wet, and there’s the added threat of snow and ice.
Luxury 4x4s make ideal choices for winter caravanning, but caravanners on more modest budgets can still find cars that can handle whatever the British winter has in store. We’re restricting our choices to new cars costing less than £50,000 – as well as their used equivalents.
We’ve favoured cars that are stable and practical all-year round, and four-wheel drive is a must if you’re towing a caravan in winter. If you love the idea of waking up in your tourer to see a carpet of snow outside, one of these options should be the best caravan tow car for you.
Vehicles pictured may not be exact model or year.
Skoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 4×4 SE L Edition
- Price: £41,135
- Kerbweight: 1613kg
- 85% match: 1371kg
- Towing limit: 2100kg
The Karoq makes a cracking tow car whatever the season, but the 4×4 model is particularly well suited to winter driving.
Buyers have a choice of petrol or diesel power – we’ve chosen the diesel over the thirstier petrol.
The 2.0 TDI engine is familiar from countless other VW Group cars and delivers plenty of pulling power and impressive economy in the Karoq. This is the 150hp version rather than the uprated 193hp diesel in the larger Kodiaq, which we picked out as the best car for towing a 1500kg caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026.
Four-wheel drive means you can make the most of the Karoq’s performance on damp winter roads without worrying that the wheels will spin. Hill starts are straightforward, even when it’s wet and chilly.
Stability at speed is very good – in fact, the mid-sized Karoq tows with the composure of a larger and heavier car.
For its size, the Karoq is very roomy, and in SE L Edition spec strikes a good balance between equipment and price.
The Karoq has been around since late 2017, so there are plenty of used examples to choose from. If you’re thinking of buying a used Skoda Karoq, we’ve seen a 2022 car with 60,000 miles on the clock advertised for £18,900.
Subaru Crosstrek 2.0 e-Boxer Limited Lineartronic
- Price: £35,995
- Kerbweight: 1597kg
- 85% match: 1357kg
- Towing limit: 1270kg
Some caravanners will rule out the Subaru Crosstrek because of its modest 1270kg towing capacity. However, for owners of lightweight, small caravans who want to tow all year, the Crosstrek could suit you well.
Many SUVs of this size have no 4×4 version. The Crosstrek flips that on its head, with no front-wheel-drive models. The Subaru sits higher from the road than most alternatives, too, so it won’t baulk at some light off-roading – a frosty start on a farm campsite shouldn’t be a problem.
The Subaru is a stable tow car, but it’s certainly not a quick one. The 2.0-litre mild hybrid petrol has its work cut out pulling a caravan, with lots of noise and sluggish acceleration.
It’s a shame there isn’t a more powerful engine option – perhaps a full hybrid – because the Crosstrek feels like it could cope with heavier caravans if it had a bit more oomph under the bonnet.
In everyday driving the Subaru handles neatly and the engine’s modest power is much easier to live with.
There’s plenty of legroom front and rear, although boot space is modest. Used prices start from around £26,000. The Subaru Crosstrek’s predecessor, the XV, is the more affordable used buy.
If you’re interested in seeing what we thought of a Crosstrek when we put it to the test, take a look at our review of the Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Touring.
Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid GT-Line S 4×4
- Price: £43,725
- Kerbweight: 1733kg
- 85% match: 1473kg
- Towing limit: 1510kg
Kia has just updated the Sportage range. The changes build on the strengths of the fifth-generation car with styling tweaks and extra technology.
We’re pleased Kia still offers the car with four-wheel drive, no doubt with one eye on the towing market.
It’s matched to a full hybrid powertrain with a healthy 235hp, an increase of 23hp over the pre-facelift hybrid. With the electric motor and petrol engine working together there’s plenty of poke for pulling a tourer, so long as it’s a sensible car/caravan match.
We’ve yet to tow with the updated model (coming soon) but towing performance should be similar to the old version, with good stability and the traction to cope with hill starts in wintery weather.
Without a caravan, the high-spec 4×4 versions have quite a firm ride, but it’s far from uncomfortable and should contribute to a secure and controlled feel at speed.
The cabin is well-made and packed with high-tech kit. There’s enough space for adults to travel comfortably, and plenty of luggage room.
The same pros and cons largely apply to the pre-facelift car. A 2022 example with around 70,000 miles on the clock will cost around £21,500.
Ford Kuga 2.5 183PS FHEV ST-Line X 4×4
- Price: £42,195
- Kerbweight: 1690kg
- 85% match: 1437kg
- Towing limit: 2100kg
Most Ford Kuga models send power to the front wheels, but buyers can specify the full hybrid with four-wheel drive. In this specification, the Kuga is a relatively heavy car for its size which gives an 85% match figure of 1437kg. That’s well within the impressive 2100kg towing capacity.
The Kuga makes a stable tow car, and there’s a healthy turn of speed from the petrol-electric powertrain. It’s not as punchy as the Kia Sportage, but it will cope with a prudently matched caravan.
From day to day, the Kuga handles tidily, although the ST-Line X version has quite a firm ride. It’s a quiet car when driven gently but sounds strained when the engine is working hard.
Inside, the cabin doesn’t match the quality of a Kia Sportage or Skoda Karoq, and the boot is relatively small. That said, there’s plenty of room for passengers and ST-Line X specification is well equipped.
On the used market it’s easier to track down the front-wheel-drive model than the 4×4. Persevere, and a 2024 4×4 with around 16,000 miles will cost £28,000 or so.
See our review of the Ford Kuga 2.5 183PS FHEV ST-Line X 4×4.
Dacia Bigster Mild Hybrid 130 Expression 4×4
- Price: £27,465
- Kerbweight: 1503kg*
- 85% match: 1278kg
- Towing limit: 1500kg
*Including 75kg for the driver, not included in Dacia’s published kerbweight
Despite much arm-twisting, we have yet to persuade Dacia to put a towbar on the new Bigster SUV. However, voices we trust are full of praise, so we’re including it in our round-up of affordable winter tow cars.
There’s a choice of two- and four-wheel-drive models. As you’d expect, we’ve picked the 4×4 for its ability in colder wintery conditions.
Performance is likely to be steady at best, given the modest power and torque figures of the petrol engine.
So, for the sake of acceleration as well as stability, we’d tow no more than the 85% match figure of 1278kg. In solo driving, the engine will be under less stress.
The ride is comfortable, although the Dacia doesn’t corner as keenly as a Seat Ateca.
The cabin is roomy for five, but the infotainment system is sluggish and the finish is quite cheap in places.
Another downside to the Bigster’s budget status is a disappointing three-star rating from the safety experts at Euro NCAP.
The Dacia Bigster is too new for there to be many examples on the used market.
If you are looking for a budget used SUV and can manage with less cabin space, consider the smaller Dacia Duster instead.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Caravan magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things caravan related.
