Posted on 03/02/2021 08:37
We're changing our tow car this year and are interested in going for a Hybrid. One car we are considering is a Volvo XC40 T5 R Design. Has anyone had experience towing with one of these and what are they like? I know this model has won a category in the Tow Car Awards but interested to here what they are actually like. Many thanks
Posted on 03/02/2021 12:20
I suspect this is still too new to yet have many, if any, caravaner owners. The now Deleted User diesel seems to be a good towcar so I imagine the hybrid will be too save for the likely poor mpg and comparative lack of grunt compared with a diesel. Personally i do not think petrol hybrid is a replacement for diesel torque hence i have a Volvo diesel PHEV - good towcar but rubbish dealers (bare faced liers), no support from Volvo UK to resolve issues and lots of faults. My brother has just bought an ex demo XC60 diesel and he too is having a lot of problems including paintwork blemishes. My next car will not be a Volvo.
Posted on 04/02/2021 12:18
You might get 50 yards down the road towing then the engine will need full power to give back to the batteries. I don't know much about hybrids but a lot are only to assist with the electric side of a vehicle as in wipers, heaters, radio etc. expensive to buy and expensive to use as a towcar. Stick with diesel.
Posted on 04/02/2021 13:11
Practical caravan have carried a quick test, apparently it tows quite well., link not working well.
https://www.practicalcaravan.com/reviews?_review_type=tow-cars.
We tow with a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 2.4 it tow fine no problems.
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Posted on 04/02/2021 15:03
I still cannot really see the attraction of a Hybrid/recharge for towing. You are carrying a lot of extra weight in batteries etc that will makes things less economical when towing. You are also probably running a smaller engine so your pulling ability is also down.
For "normal" use I can see some sense, running electric most of the time on local runs and an engine for the not so everyday long run. But then again wouldn't an electric only fit that bill better.
A good diesel must still be the logical choice if you own a standard caravan. If towing something lighter then modern petrol engines have come on a long way and should be up for consideration.
Colin
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Posted on 04/02/2021 15:03 by eribaMottersI still cannot really see the attraction of a Hybrid/recharge for towing. You are carrying a lot of extra weight in batteries etc that will makes things less economical when towing. You are also probably running a smaller engine so your pulling ability is also down.
For "normal" use I can see some sense, running electric most of the time on local runs and an engine for the not so everyday long run. But then again wouldn't an electric only fit that bill better.
A good diesel must still be the logical choice if you own a standard caravan. If towing something lighter then modern petrol engines have come on a long way and should be up for consideration.
Colin
Posted on 04/02/2021 15:43
Colin I was the same, however I had the opportunity of PHEV test drive, I cannot believe how much we liked it, after some research we went ahead and have never looked back.
And my fuel bill is less than half including electric, a full charge off peak just under 50 pence for 30 miles.
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Posted on 04/02/2021 16:32
I see a bit in Saturday's Times Magazine, the Yaris three pot engine churns out 257BHP and 266lb of torque. Not that one would tow with a Yaris GR but it shows what they are wringing out of small engines. "There ain't no substitoot for cubes" is probably still a good maxim for tugs though.
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Posted on 04/02/2021 15:43 by OscarmaxColin I was the same, however I had the opportunity of PHEV test drive, I cannot believe how much we liked it, after some research we went ahead and have never looked back.
And my fuel bill is less than half including electric, a full charge off peak just under 50 pence for 30 miles.
John and Mary
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