What is the Best Used Car for Towing a Caravan?

What’s more, if you live in an urban area and are thinking you don’t have enough parking space for both a caravan and an SUV, you don’t need to worry. Many city cars will do the job nicely – and they’re not as gas guzzling as the 4x4s.

Below, we list eight of our favourite used cars for towing a caravan.

Land Rover Discovery

The Land Rover Discovery is a consistently popular choice for towing cars. The Discovery 4, in particular, is exceptionally stable, so aggressive cross winds or off-road conditions won’t cause any drama. The Discovery has a high kerb weight and powerful engines, making them great for towing. Furthermore, they can tackle all and any road surface – they overtake well, too.

If you find a model with the Terrain Response system, even better. This is because it modifies the car’s driving characteristics to suit the conditions facing you. What’s more, the car is supremely comfortable and can fit a large family with ease – and your luggage. It’s easy to see why this car has multiple tow awards to its name, including the 2016 Caravan Club Tow Car of the Year Award.

Volvo XC90

You’ll generally find a used Volvo XC90 for a reasonable price and will be well rewarded with an excellent tow car. This practical vehicle has a high kerb weight combined with fantastic suspension and a powerful engine. The result is a stable and secure vehicle for towing a caravan. It may be slightly less fuel efficient on longer journeys. However, the inner cabin is comfortable and provides plenty of space for families to stretch legs on longer journeys.

Dacia Duster

If you’re after an affordable used car that will nonetheless tow your caravan without any problems, the Dacia tops the list. Stable and secure, it’s a steady performer and extremely reliable. It tackles hills well, and the brakes do their job. Admittedly the interior is not the most glamorous. None-the-less, for a car at such a budget price, it’s difficult not to be impressed with the Duster.

Skoda Octavia

With a great kerb weight and an engine with plenty of torque, the Octavia stands up to pulling even the heaviest caravan. Even better, it will handle hill starts respectably. It’s also stable at speed – particularly given its light weight – and handles changing lanes well. The boot has enough room for lots of luggage, running costs are low, and you’ll find a model on the market at very affordable prices.

Ford Mondeo

An impressive family car, the Mondeo is nippy enough to work in urban areas, squeezing into tight parking spots. That said, it also tows a caravan, so is the best of both worlds. In addition, it’ll do it whilst keeping passengers comfortable. The engine is smooth and efficient but still powerful, handling better than most family cars. You’ll get stability even at high speed and can opt for a used model with the Titanium trim. Benefits include sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, and lane-keeping assistance.

Kia Sorento

For a car that won’t break the budget, you’re still getting a sharp-looking car with excellent towing capacity. The steering is great and the all-wheel drive copes well with variable weather conditions. Let’s admit, this is always a bonus when you’re heading on a caravanning holiday! The car is stable at speed and the engine has plenty of pulling power. Plus, the cabin is spacious and can seat seven people, and the car is fantastic over long-distances. It gets our thumbs up.

Vauxhall Insignia

A good-looking car that offers plentiful interior space and a comfortable ride? Sounds good – and the Insignia delivers. Capable and stable, it has a high kerb weight and torquey diesel engine. The biggest thing to write home about for the Insignia is its affordability – it’s hugely affordable and offers enough legroom for the wriggliest passenger.

Volkswagen Touareg

Add this SUV to your list of the best used cars for towing a caravan. It’ll stand up well to the likes of the Land Rover Discovery and the Volvo XC90. Even better, it will do so at a more affordable price point. It makes towing a breeze thanks to the four-wheel drive and high-power engine, and the gearbox makes hill starts seem almost effortless. As with most SUVs, there’s also plenty of space for passengers and their luggage.

BMW 5 Series

The 5 Series is another award winner of this list – in 2018 it won Tow Car of the Year Awards, so you can rest easy knowing it’s a great choice. You should find used models at excellent prices, too, which is always a bonus. Very stable, the 5 Series has a fuel-efficient diesel engine that will get you where you need to go without costing the earth. Furthermore, it manoeuvres extremely well. In fact, the 529d model saw off rivals in the 2018 competition with ease, proving ‘unshakeable at speed’ with no issues changing lanes and in fierce crosswinds.

On top of all that, the 5 Series will hold its speed on hills, and the gear changes are exceptionally smooth. Look out for the xDrive four-wheel model if you’re keen on holidaying all-year-round. This is because it offers improved traction and road holding – even in the muddiest of conditions. The car is also very comfortable to ride in and offers plenty of space with a great boot.

Financing your used car for towing a caravan

So, now you know which are the best used cars for towing a caravan. However, even when you’re opting for a used vehicle, buying a car to tow a caravan can be a hefty purchase. My Car Credit can help you spread the cost, comparing deals from our broad panel of trusted lenders to find you a great price for your car finance. Use our car finance calculator to get a better idea of the costs then get a no-obligation quote in minutes.