Winners of Towcar of the Year Awards 2023

Winners of Towcar of the Year Awards 2023

2023 Winners

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Towcar of the Year 2023

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of our Towcar of the Year Competition and once again, it’s been an unbelievably difficult decision to pick the winner as all the cars tested have been incredible.

The ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR came out on top, not only winning the Towcar of the Year 2023 but also claiming
two other titles; Caravan Weight 1400kg-1500kg and Family Towcars!

Our judges described it as "an excellent, affordable, practical towcar and a brilliant daily driver."

We tested 24 vehicles across 10 categories, from hatchbacks to estates and SUVs, including hybrids and fully electric vehicles! Check out all the other class winners and entrants.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2023

 

ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR

Overall winner:
Towcar of the year 2023



Judges' comments:

"An excellent, affordable, practical towcar and a brilliant daily driver."

See ŠKODA Karoq Sportline statistics

SUV, ŠKODA detachable

Performance

  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Size of engine in cc: 1986
  • Number of gears, gearbox: 7 / DSG
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 148
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 266
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 17.2s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 9.3s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 51.6m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 12.65m
  • CO2 g/km: 154

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1656
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2240
  • Caravan (kg): 1408
  • Noseweight (kg): 90

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £26,255 - £38,515
  • £ (price as tested) includes £255 tow bar pre-installation charges and £1,090 towing gear equipment: £39,860
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £1,275
  • Insurance group: 21
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Two
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR

Check with your local ŠKODA dealer for the latest prices and availability

Winners - Caravan Weight

 

Volkswagen ID.5 Style 77kWh Pro Performance 204PS

Class winner:
Caravan Weight Under 1200kg

Judges' comments:

"Another Volkswagen group EV platform masterclass - powerful, smooth, stable and refined."

See Volkswagen ID.5 Style statistics

SUV, Volkswagen (ACPS) retractable

Performance

  • Number of motors: 1
  • Total maximum power (kW): 150
  • Power: Rear wheel drive
  • Power (bhp): 198
  • Torque (lb/ft): 229
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 11.9s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 6.4s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 48.85m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 13.1m
  • CO2 g/km: 0

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2117
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2650
  • Caravan (kg): 1000
  • Noseweight (kg): 75

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £49,735 - £58,260
  • £ (price as tested) includes £890 towing gear charges: £52,100
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £0
  • Insurance group: 32
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Three
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the Volkswagen ID.5 Style 77kWh Pro Performance 204PS

Check with your local VOLKSWAGEN dealer for the latest prices and availability

ŠKODA Enyaq iV 80X Sportline

Class winner:
Caravan Weight 1200kg - 1300kg

Judges' comments:

"Another impressive all-electric contender. Smooth, stable and sure footed at all speeds with plenty of heft to keep the van on the straight and narrow."

See ŠKODA Enyaq iV statistics

SUV, ŠKODA (ACPS) retractable

Performance

  • Number of motors: 1
  • Total maximum power (kW): 195
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp): 201
  • Torque (lb/ft): 313
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 9.4s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 4.7s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 48.8m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 12.95m
  • CO2 g/km: 0

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2250
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2750
  • Caravan (kg): 1200
  • Noseweight (kg): 75

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £38,480 - £51,275
  • £ (price as tested) includes £180 tow bar pre-installation charges and £815 towing gear equipment: £48,375
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £0
  • Insurance group: 32
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Three
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the ŠKODA Enyaq iV 80X Sportline

Check with your local ŠKODA dealer for the latest prices and availability

Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack 2.0-litre TDI 4MOTION 200PS 7spd DSG

Class winner:
Caravan Weight 1300kg - 1400kg

Judges' comments:

"If you think SUVs make the best tow cars try a Golf Alltrack. The 200ps engine has just the right amount of punch and the drive is a pleasure - light on its feet and nimble yet unerringly stable."

See Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack statistics

Estate, Volkswagen (ACPS) detachable

Performance

  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Size of engine in cc: 1968
  • Number of gears, gearbox: 7 / DSG
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 197 @ 3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 295 @ 1750-3500
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 13.1s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 6.9s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 54.1m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 13.6m
  • CO2 g/km: 146

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1599
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2120
  • Caravan (kg): 1359
  • Noseweight (kg): 80

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £26,690 - £44,535
  • £ (price as tested) includes £840 towing gear charges: £39,425
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £915
  • Insurance group: 26E
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Two
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack 2.0-litre TDI 4MOTION 200PS 7spd DSG

Check with your local VOLKSWAGEN dealer for the latest prices and availability

ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR

Class winner:
Caravan Weight 1400kg - 1500kg

Judges' comments:

"An excellent, affordable, practical towcar and a brilliant daily driver."

See ŠKODA Karoq Sportline statistics

SUV, ŠKODA detachable

Performance

  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Size of engine in cc: 1986
  • Number of gears, gearbox: 7 / DSG
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 148
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 266
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 17.2s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 9.3s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 51.6m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 12.65m
  • CO2 g/km: 154

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1656
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2240
  • Caravan (kg): 1408
  • Noseweight (kg): 90

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £26,255 - £38,515
  • £ (price as tested) includes £255 tow bar pre-installation charges and £1,090 towing gear equipment: £39,860
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £1,275
  • Insurance group: 21
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Two
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR

Check with your local ŠKODA dealer for the latest prices and availability

Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin

Class winner:
Caravan Weight 1500kg - 1700kg

Judges' comments:

"What an EV tow car! The characteristics of an electric motor can make for a great tow car, with the XC40 Twin excelling in most areas."

See Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin statistics

SUV, ŠKODA detachable

Performance

  • Number of motors: 2
  • Total maximum power (kW): 300
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp): 396
  • Torque (lb/ft): 487
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 7.6s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 3.5s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 19m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 12.1m
  • CO2 g/km: 0

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2188
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2650
  • Caravan (kg): 1500
  • Noseweight (kg): 190

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £45,750 - £60,300
  • £ (price as tested) includes £1250 towing gear charges: £58,250
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £0
  • Insurance group: 41E
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Three
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin

Check with your local VOLVO dealer for the latest prices and availability

Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 8-Speed Tiptronic S

Class winner:
Caravan Weight Over 1700kg

Judges' comments:

"The Cayenne's beautiful blend of handling precision and power is still on offer when a caravan is hitched to the back. There's very little movement from the outfit at low and high speeds and the whole car feels very balanced, and never unwieldy."

See Porsche Cayenne statistics

SUV, Porsche retractable

Performance

  • Number of cylinders: 6
  • Size of engine in cc: 2995
  • Number of gears, gearbox: 8 / Auto
  • Fuel: Petrol hybrid
  • Plug accepted: Type 2
  • Peak charge rate: 7.2
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (petrol) (bhp@rpm): 335 @ 5300-6400
  • Power (electric) (bhp): 132
  • Torque (petrol) (lb/ft@rpm): 332@1500-3000
  • Torque (electric) (lb/ft): 295
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 9.4s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 4.5s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 56.35m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 13.7m
  • CO2 g/km: 83-71

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2295
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 3030
  • Caravan (kg): 1951
  • Noseweight (kg): 140

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £63,700 - £150,500
  • £ (price as tested) includes £858 towing gear charges: £78,713
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £1,130
  • Insurance group: 50E
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Three
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 8-Speed Tiptronic S

Check with your local PORSCHE dealer for the latest prices and availability

Winners - Electric and Hybrid

 

Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor

Class winner:
Electric Vehicles

Judges' comments:

"A superb EV tow car which makes the future of caravanning with an electric vehicle look very bright indeed."

See Polestar 2 statistics

Fastback, ACPS semi-electric retractable

Performance

  • Number of motors: 2
  • Total maximum power (kW): 300
  • Number of gears, gearbox: 1
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp): 396
  • Torque (lb/ft): 487
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph:7.5s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 3.3s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 44.5m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 11.2m
  • CO2 g/km: 0

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2069
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2600
  • Caravan (kg): 1500
  • Noseweight (kg): 90

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £43,150 - £60,700
  • £ (price as tested) includes £1100 towing gear charges: £56,800
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £0
  • Insurance group: 34-35
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Four
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor

Check with your local POLESTAR dealer for the latest prices and availability 

Volvo V90 Recharge plug-in hybrid T6

Class winner:
Plug-in Hybrid

Judges' comments:

"Interior refinement is top-notch; updated Google-based infotainment system is very welcome and the driving position (inc. seat) is one of the most comfortable in the business."

See Volvo V90 Recharge plug-in hybrid statistics

Estate, ACPS retractable

Performance

  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Size of engine in cc: 1969
  • Number of gears / gearbox: 8 / Auto
  • Fuel: Petrol Hybrid
  • Plug accepted: Type 2/Mode three
  • Peak charge rate: 3.7 
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (petrol) (bhp@rpm): 249 @ 5500
  • Power (electric) (bhp): 143
  • Torque (petrol) (lb/ft@rpm): 258 @ 2500-5000
  • Torque (electric) (lb/ft): 227
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 7.5s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 3.3s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 48.85m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 12.0m
  • CO2 g/km: 18-25

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2100
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2590
  • Caravan (kg): 1782
  • Noseweight (kg): 100

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £44,725 - £68,525
  • £ (price as tested) includes £1175 towing gear charges: £63,525
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £1020
  • Insurance group: 42E
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Two
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the Volvo V90 Recharge plug-in hybrid T6

Check with your local VOLVO dealer for the latest prices and availability

Winners - Family Cars

 

ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR

Class winner:
Family Towcar

Judges' comments:

"An excellent, affordable, practical towcar and a brilliant daily driver."

See ŠKODA Karoq Sportline statistics

SUV, ŠKODA detachable

Performance

  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Size of engine in cc: 1986
  • Number of gears, gearbox: 7 / DSG
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Power: All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 148
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 266
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 17.2s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 9.3s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 51.6m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 12.65m
  • CO2 g/km: 154

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1656
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2240
  • Caravan (kg): 1408
  • Noseweight (kg): 90

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £26,255 - £38,515
  • £ (price as tested) includes £255 tow bar pre-installation charges and £1,090 towing gear equipment: £39,860
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £1,275
  • Insurance group: 21
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Two
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR

Check with your local ŠKODA dealer for the latest prices and availability

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Multivan Style 2.0-litre TSI 204PS 7spd DSG

Class winner:
Large Family Towcar

Judges' comments:

"A large-ish commercial vehicle towing a large twin-axle caravan around a hilly test route and performing reversing manoeuvres, but belied its size throughout."

See Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Multivan statistics

MPV, Volkswagen retractable

Performance

  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Size of engine in cc: 1984
  • Number of gears, gearbox: 7 / Auto
  • Fuel: Petrol
  • Power: Front wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm):201 @ 5000-6500
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 236 @ 1600-4300
  • Towing acceleration 0-60mph: 15.8s
  • Towing acceleration 40-60mph: 8.9s
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-0: 50.35m
  • Towing deceleration 60mph-30mph: 11.95m
  • CO2 g/km: 80

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2123
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2850
  • Caravan (kg): 1805
  • Noseweight (kg): 80

Pricing

  • Price range of vehicle: £43,720 - £55,510
  • £ (price as tested) includes £900 towing gear charges: £59,153
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £2,460 (CV rates may differ)
  • Insurance group: 33
  • ISOFIX Mountings: Four
  • NCAP safety rating: Five

Read more about the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Multivan Style 2.0-litre TSI 204PS 7spd DSG 

Check with your local VOLKSWAGEN COMMERCIAL dealer for the latest prices and availability

Gallery

ŠKODA Karoq Sportline, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4x4 SCR - Winner of Towcar of the Year 2023, Family Towcar and Caravan Weight 1400kg-1500kg

Volkswagen ID.5, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

Volkswagen ID.5 Style 77kWh Pro Performance 204PS - Winner of Caravan Weight Under 1200kg

ŠKODA Enyaq, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

ŠKODA Enyaq iV 80X Sportline - Winner of Caravan Weight 1200kg - 1300kg

Volkswagen Golf Estate, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack 2.0-litre TDI 4MOTION 200PS 7spd DSG - Winner of Caravan Weight 1300kg - 1400kg

Volvo XC40, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin - Winner of Caravan Weight 1500kg - 1700kg

Porsche Cayenne, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 8-Speed Tiptronic S - Winner of Caravan Weight Over 1700kg

Polestar 2, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor - Winner of Electric Vehicles

Volvo V90, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

Volvo V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 - Winner of Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Towcar, Towcar of the Year, 2023, Vehicle, Car

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Multivan Style 2.0-litre TSI 204PS 7spd DSG - Winner of Large Family Towcars

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