Best Towing Cars of 2025: Your Guide to Hassle-Free Towing

Deciding which car to splurge on is no easy feat. If your purchase involves towing a caravan, trailer, or horsebox, there are some key considerations to make before you buy: 

  • The caravan/trailer weight and width 
  • Towing capacity of the vehicle 
  • Your budget 
  • The status of your towing licence 

Without assessing the above factors, you run the risk of choosing a car that’s unable to tow your trailer or caravan and, in turn, could be a costly and potentially dangerous mistake. 

So, to make sure your journey is stress-free and you can focus on getting from point A to point B safely, we’ve outlined some common FAQs around tow cars and have also announced the best tow car of 2025. 

How much can my car tow? 

The golden question. And the answer is simple. You can tow trailers up to a certain weight with your car driving licence. However, depending on when you got your driving licence determines the weight you can legally tow. 

  • If you got your licence before 1 January 1997: Your vehicle and trailer must have a combined weight of up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). 

  • If you got your licence after 1 January 1997: You could tow a trailer of up to 3,500kg MAM – also known as a category BE vehicle. 

To tow heavier combinations than what your current driver’s licence allows, you need to apply for a provisional licence for a medium-sized lorry and trailer (category C1+E), pass the lorry theory test, and pass the C1+E driving test. 

The maximum trailer width, regardless of what towing vehicle you’re using, must be 2.55 metres. More information on the weight and width of your trailer can be found on gov.uk.

What are the best vehicles to tow a caravan? 

Now you know your weight and width limits, it’s time to look at the right tow car for you. 

Each year, experts from Practical Caravan, What Car? and the Caravan and Motorhome Club come together to discover Britain’s best tow cars.  

This year, the Caravan and Motorhome Club put 33 cars through four tests to crown an overall winner, caravan over 1800kg category, family classes, and hybrid tow cars. 

The overall winner and Tow car of the Year 2025 was the: 

Volvo XC60 T6 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Plus 

White Volvo X60 t6 plug-in Hybrid

The judges were impressed with the all-electric driving range of this car and its plush and comfortable interior. 

Judge’s comments: "A roomy comfortable car with good towing capacity ideal for the discerning caravanner." 

Some key features of the SUV include: 

Feature 

Detail 

Performance 

 

Fuel 

Petrol-electric hybrid 

Power 

All-wheel drive 

Towing acceleration 0-60mph 

10.55s 

Towing acceleration 40-60mph 

4.83s 

Towing deceleration 60mph-0 

44.26m 

CO2  g/km 

23 - 30 

Weights for Towing 

 

Kerbweight (kg) 

2163 

Gross vehicle (kg) 

2660 

Caravan (kg) (85% match) 

1839 

Noseweight (kg) 

100 

Pricing 

 

Price range of vehicle 

£47,615−£69,385 

Price as tested (inc. towing gear) 

£61,455 

Insurance group 

40E 

ISOFIX Mountings 

2 

NCAP safety rating 

Five stars 

 

If you’d like to compare further robust tow cars, we’ve put together a list of the Top 10 SUVs for Towing Your Caravan or Trailer in 2025 to make your decision a little easier. 

Top 10 SUVs for Towing Your Caravan or Trailer in 2025

The Caravan and Motorhome Club's testing provides an excellent guide. Beyond the overall winner, here are some of the other top performers and highly recommended SUVs for towing this year, offering a range of options for different caravan weights and budgets: 

  1. Volvo XC60 T6 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Plus: Overall Towcar of the Year and Category Winner (Over 1800kg, Hybrid, Family). 

  1. Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi '3': A consistently high-rated diesel SUV with a generous towing capacity (up to 2,500kg for the diesel model). Excellent value and stability for medium to large caravans. 

  1. Škoda Kodiaq: Known for its practicality, space, and strong performance, especially with the all-wheel-drive diesel engines. A great all-rounder for family caravanning. 

  1. Land Rover Defender: A powerhouse for heavy-duty towing (up to 3,500kg). It blends rugged capability with a luxurious, modern interior, making it ideal for the heaviest trailers or horseboxes. 

  1. BMW X5: A premium choice, the X5 (particularly the diesel or plug-in hybrid) offers excellent comfort, stability, and a high towing capacity (up to 3,500kg). 

  1. Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4MOTION: A highly versatile mid-size SUV offering impressive stability and a respectable towing limit, making it a reliable choice for mid-sized caravans. 

  1. Kia EV9 GT-Line 378bhp AWD: A leading electric option for caravanners, offering a huge kerbweight and a strong towing capacity (up to 2,500kg), demonstrating that EVs are now serious contenders in the tow car market. 

  1. Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI: A luxury SUV with an immense towing capacity (up to 3,500kg) and features like trailer assist, ideal for those pulling very large, heavy caravans. 

  1. Nissan X-Trail e-4orce Tekna: A highly-rated family SUV with a good combination of stability, practicality, and an efficient hybrid powertrain for towing medium-weight caravans. 

  1. Volvo V90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Ultra: Winner in the 1700kg-1800kg category, this stylish estate car proves that estates are still excellent tow cars, offering smooth hybrid performance and excellent stability. 

Can I tow a caravan? 

The simple answer is yes, but you must verify that your vehicle, licence, and caravan or trailer are all legally matched. Always consult your car's manual for its specific maximum towing capacity (braked and unbraked) and compare this to the actual maximum loaded weight of your caravan (MAM/MTPLM). For the safest towing experience, many experts recommend the 85% rule: your laden caravan weight should not exceed 85% of your car's kerb weight. 

Choosing one of the best towing cars of 2025, like the award-winning Volvo XC60 or a highly capable SUV from our top list, is the first step towards an enjoyable and safe journey. 

The next essential step to enjoying your new tow car 

After making your choice of vehicle, the next step is ensuring your caravan, trailer or horsebox is safe, secure and protected. We strongly recommend purchasing a Thatcham-accredited tracking device so you can recover your prized possession, should you become a victim to theft. 

Explore our  security solutions to keep your travels safe, stress-free and enjoyable!  

 

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