Manual or automatic

We tow with a Kia sportage diesel after years of manual cars and it is far more driver friendly , downsides less mpg and more expensive tax but do I care

No idea specifically about Kia (though my Dad's  auto Sedona drives brilliantly)..... but the answer to the general auto vs manual is AUTO  every time 👍

Yes, the previous model.

With the manual the clutch cooked when reversing the caravan uphill but the auto was fine. 

The choice was auto every time after that. 

Yes tow our Clubman with a Discovery 4, it's amazing, would not go back to a manual.

Initially, I was against buying an automatic, always 'preferring to do it myself' but we wanted a Discovery 4 so took the plunge and went for it.  Would never go back to a manual now.

No strong views either way. It is a while since I bought the present tow car. The automatic version was not a consideration due to the lower tow limit and a lower hitch load. 

Auto for me without hesitation.

Yes.I personally have owned 3.5 ltr petrol,2.5 ltr,diesel,2,2 ltr diesel and currently another 2.2 ltr diesel.all of which have been auto and all very capable towcars.The best,so far,is the current late 2015 kx3.more mpg than any of the previous models and very "car like " to drive.Previously I have towed with both manual and auto vehicles and every time I have gone manual I have very quickly gone back to auto.The only sorento faults are.....early models...rust.mk 2 version (2.5 auto)...heavy road fund license cost......early mk 3 models....no self levelling and can be a little unstable without spring upgrades.

Towed with two auto Sorento's, one a 56 plate the other a 59 plate. The earlier one was the better towcar because it had  SLS despite being not as powerful. Agree with the post above, auto good with SLS even better!

David

You 'wanted to be in control' ..... it's a very common war cry until they've actually driven an auto further than the end of the road. 😉