Choosing the right towing car
If you need to transport a caravan, horsebox or other type of trailer now and again, it's essential that your car has sufficient towing capacity.
Cars able to pull 2,000kg or more are generally considered to be heavyweight tow cars, so we've picked out some of the best here, chosen not just for their towing capabilities, but for their all-round quality, too.
What makes a car good at towing?
There are several different factors that come into play when towing. The towing weight and gross vehicle weight are the most obvious, but other attributes are important to consider. All good tow cars will:
- Have a fairly high kerbweight - trailers should weigh no more than 85% of the vehicle's kerbweight, especially when the driver is inexperienced at towing
- Have a strong engine with lots of torque that's able to pull a heavy load without becoming overstressed
- Be economical, saving you money on fuel costs during long trips
- Be refined and quiet on the road, keeping you comfortable, relaxed and able to focus on driving smoothly and safely
- Have room in the back seats and boot for kids, dogs and luggage
The best cars with a 2,000kg towing weight
BMW iX
Not only will this SUV easily tow a trailer or caravan up to 2,000kg, but it also has plenty of space inside for family, luggage and a couple of dogs, making it one of the best options out there.
The iX is a large, premium all-electric SUV that offers plenty of power for towing, with up to 536bhp and the option of four-wheel drive depending on the spec level. This power, matched with excellent stability and ride strength, makes it an excellent choice for towing. The range is very impressive too, offering a claimed 426 miles, but bear in mind the extra weight of the caravan or trailer may reduce this somewhat in the real-world.
The interior is comfortable, with a spacious 500-litre boot and room for three in the back. Fold the seats for 1,750 litres of capacity, providing flexibility for other equipment. Tow bars were optional when new on the iX, so check if one is fitted before purchasing, as adding one increases ownership costs.
Blending luxury and strength, a used BMW iX is an SUV that tows trailers or caravans effortlessly on motorways and hills with added comfort and a cushioned ride.
Search Used BMW IXVolvo XC60
The Volvo XC60 is the automaker’s mid-sized SUV with a luxury feel. It's an option for those who want towing power combined with ultimate passenger safety. Variants manufactured from 2017 onwards have a towing capability of up to 2,400kg, so you're plenty covered for loads of up to 2,000kg.
It has an excellent ride throughout, with stable body control and, of course, that extra level of safety that's notorious from the Swedish manufacturer. This is a strong pull for some buyers when looking for a car for towing, especially if they're bringing a family along on a weekend adventure or long touring holiday.
There are lots of powertrain options available in the used Volvo XC60 market, with a popular option being the D5 turbodiesel, delivering 215bhp and 50mpg economy. It also comes with AWD, which adds a level of practicality when navigating country roads, caravan parks, and muddy fields. Later versions feature plug-in hybrid powertrains that offer up to 449bhp, delivering better fuel economy and plenty of grunt for caravan towing.
With that prominent safety record, strong powertrains, and interior comfort, a used Volvo XC60 is a solid towing option for families who prioritise protection above all else.
Search Used Volvo XC60Kia EV9
An all-electric seven-seater that can tow up to 2,000kg? Go on then. For those with large families or a requirement for lots of space, you can't go wrong with the Kia EV9.
With a few powertrain options on the cards, the 197bhp single motor is perfectly adequate for normal life, but it's the 378bhp version with 516lb ft of torque that really stands out for towing. That extra power, combined with all-wheel drive, delivers superior handling and road comfort. Plus, when traversing country tracks or caravan fields, the AWD really comes into its own, allowing you to navigate the mud and bumps with ease. The 315-mile range is competitive, allowing you to leave any feeling of range anxiety behind.
Inside, there is plenty of room and comfort, as you'd expect from a seven- (or luxury six-) seater, with travel comforts such as USB charging ports and cupholders. The boot space is a mere 300 litres when the rear seats are down, but when you use it as a large five-seater (as we expect many owners will), you get a very nice 828 litres of space.
The Kia EV9 is a great option for those who need lots of space for extras when towing, whether that's a few extra seats for extended families or more luggage space for long summer overseas tours.
Search Used Kia EV9Ford S-MAX
The Ford S-MAX is a trusty MPV with seven seats that makes an excellent towing companion. With car-like handling and good looks, it offers something different to the usual family SUVs, and is able to tow up to 2,000kg of weight.
It's offered with a range of powertrains, but the 2.0-litre diesel with AWD and the 2.5-litre full hybrid options, both offering 187bhp, stand out as the two best picks for towing. The hybrid also offers slightly better fuel economy of around 55mpg, making it a preferred option for those looking for more efficient running costs.
The interior is spacious and comfortable, with the middle row featuring three, almost independent seats. This delivers practical use and long-distance comfort for passengers, rather than someone being squashed in the middle. Plus, its seven seats will probably only be used occasionally, so drop the rear seats, and you'll get a large 700 litres of top-to-bottom boot space, making it a go-to choice for bigger trips away.
Although not the most premium of cars, what makes a used Ford S-MAX appealing for towing is its affordability compared to some of the other cars on this list. A sound investment offering practicality and lots of comfortable space for families and adventurers alike.
Search Used Ford S-MAXLand Rover Discovery Sport
Land Rover's entry-level model, the Discovery Sport, has a strong towing pedigree with a max towing weight of 2,000 to 2,200kg. It also features a more compact body and a much more attractive price than other used Land Rover models, whilst retaining seven seats (on some versions) and four-wheel drive.
Power-wise, it comes with a range of powertrains, including two diesels and three petrols (including a PHEV), delivering a range from 168bhp to 305bhp, with each good enough for towing. All but the entry-level diesel comes with AWD, ideal for towing off-road in fields and down country tracks. Select picks are the MHEV diesel as a top-torque option, ideal for towing, while the PHEV offers excellent fuel economy.
When driving the Discovery Sport it feels smooth and planted over long distances, excelling at stability at speed when towing. Interior quality has improved a great deal in recent years, with additions such as an intuitive HD touchscreen infotainment system and digital gauges, as well as enough space for five adults to be comfortable.
A used Land Rover Discovery Sport is a classic towing car, ticking all the boxes in driving and comfort, and offering the confidence and capability needed for heavier loads.
Search Used Land Rover Discovery SportHyundai SANTA FE
If you're after making a statement with your new towing machine, you can't go wrong with a Hyundai SANTA FE. The SANTA FE is a large and bold SUV with seven seats as standard, offering a lot of interior space and a great set of standard equipment. Whether you're looking at the smart-looking fourth generation or the rugged, boxy fifth generation, a used Hyundai SANTA FE is a very capable towing vehicle.
With a solid design throughout, the SANTA FE is regarded as a top contender for pulling a caravan or trailer without any hassle. Opt for either the fourth generation with its torquey 2.2-litre diesel or the fifth-gen full hybrid which uses a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine combined with an electric motor, and is the only option in the fifth-generation range with a towing capacity of 2,000kg.
Inside, the Hyundai SANTA FE is spacious and comfortable, offering enough room for a large family and luggage, with a boot space ranging from 625 to 700 litres, depending on the generation.
All this space makes the SANTA FE a solid grand tourer for long adventures and weekends away and is a solid choice for those who want space and a dependable towing performance, handling all journeys with ease and comfort.
Search Used Hyundai SANTA FESkoda Superb
For those who want a more practical everyday car but have similar towing capabilities to a larger SUV, then a used Skoda Superb estate will fit the bill. All generations, but particularly the recent ones, have been consistently praised for their effortless towing ability and composure on the road.
For towing you might want to look at the strong, torquey diesel engines, with the Superb's 2.0-litre TDI being up there with the best. Both 148bhp and 197bhp variants have a 2,000kg towing capacity, so the choice is yours, with the lower-powered version offering a little better fuel economy, but less punch.
For everyday practicality, the Skoda Superb works amazingly well, whether you're using it for commuting or as a family car. The boot space matches any large SUV with an impressive 660 litres, so you'll never have to worry about space on longer tours.
It’s also well equipped with standard equipment including infotainment screens, and lots of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Front Assist (radar distance control), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to name a few, supporting you when you're towing.
A used Skoda Superb blends everyday functionality and driving comfort with a very capable towing option, giving you the best of both worlds. Oh, and it's one of the better-looking cars on the road as well.
Search Used Skoda SuperbAudi Q3
If a mid-sized crossover is your favoured size, then a used Audi Q3 is a superb option. Not everyone wants the sizable Audi Q5 or Q7 as an everyday car, so the Q3 brings the perfect balance of a practical family car and an impressive towing partner.
Not all the powertrains available can pull a 2,000kg caravan or trailer, so when choosing a used Audi Q3, aim for the torque-laden 2.0-litre diesel powertrains, which deliver up to 190bhp. Enough power to pull your chosen trailer-type effortlessly along the motorways. The Quattro trim has AWD, which delivers better driving stability and improved traction on muddy lanes and caravan park fields.
The Q3 is also spacious inside, with excellent Audi-standard equipment and lots of room for families in the back or with the seats down (depending on what you're towing). For those who need a practical family SUV with the ability to tow a large haul, you can't go wrong with a used Audi Q3.
Search Used Audi Q3Kia Sorento
If you're after a heavy-duty towing vehicle in your arsenal, then cast an eye over a used Kia Sorento, thanks to its ability to pull medium to heavy loads whilst also being a practical family vehicle ideal for everyday life.
Interior quality and space are strong points, with three rows of seats that accommodate seven passengers and provide comfort throughout the tour. And when you flip those third-row seats down, the boot space opens up to a huge 604 to 616 litres (depending on powertrain), allowing you to fit plenty of luggage plus a couple of dogs.
Latest-generation Sorento models can tow 2,000kg, while newer models are even more powerful, with the Kia Sorento 2.2-litre CRDi able to tow up to 2,500kg. So, if you're hauling a big caravan or a heavy trailer, a used Kia Sorento is your go-to workhorse that takes those larger loads in its stride while you ride in comfort.
Search Used Kia SorentoTesla Model X
The impressive-looking Tesla Model X is for those who want a large, all-electric towing vehicle. With an impressive 2,200kg towing capacity and almost endless torque for smoothly pulling away from a standstill, it rivals many used high-torque diesel SUVs on the market.
Its unique, sleek design and off-the-wall details, such as those falcon doors, are not for everyone, but if they're to your taste, the Tesla Model X is quite the competent towing machine.
The long-range model is where you should look, with a WLTP range of up to 360 miles, which drops to around 180 miles when towing, depending on how you drive. The Model X also has all-wheel drive, which secures more towing stability, whether cruising along the motorway or traversing a campsite field.
Inside the Tesla Model X, there are the usual refinements for long drives: comfort, smooth sailing, and excellent handling. There are also six- and seven-seater versions available. If you do opt for one of these, ensure it's important as you'll lose boot space. Speaking of which, with the five seats, and including the froot (front boot), you get a colossal 1,200+ litres.
A used Tesla Model X makes a compelling choice for anyone who wants a powerful, forward-thinking tow car without sacrificing space or comfort.
Search Used Tesla Model XFrequently asked questions
Each vehicle has a maximum weight that they're legally allowed to tow - that weight is its towing capacity. Not all cars have any towing capacity because they haven't been legally cleared for towing.
Check the owner's manual or the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate, which should list the maximum towing capacity for that vehicle. If you're looking at a used example, you should also be able to find the vehicle's towing details within its specification information on its listing, or by asking the seller.
Braked towing means that the trailer has its own brakes. They work and activate when the hitch (which connects the trailer to the tow car’s tow bar) compresses as the tow car slows or brakes. Unbraked means the trailer has no brakes. Unbraked towing capacity is lower than braked towing capacity because of this.
No, you don't. However, it's recommended that you get some training before you start towing, especially if it's a larger trailer. There are many driver's clubs and training centres that offer towing courses.
Yes, anyone can tow a trailer on a standard licence. The law was updated in December 2021, allowing drivers who passed their test on or after 1 January 1997 to tow. Before this date, drivers had to pass a test to tow a trailer. Drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 have always been allowed to tow.
Which towing car is suitable?
Finding a balance between a car that suits not only your towing requirements but also your driving lifestyle can be difficult. All-electric or diesel powertrain? Car or SUV? This article shows just a small sample of towing cars with a 2,000kg towing capacity; there are many more available.
If you're on the hunt for a used vehicle that's suitable for towing, our used car inventory is home to a plethora of options. If you need further support, your nearest Evans Halshaw retailer is also able to provide expert advice related to towing and is able to assist in finding you the perfect match.
