Volkswagen tow cars

Volkswagen tow cars

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Tested Volkswagens

Volkswagen (VW) have the largest total of wins since the Towcar of the Year competition started over 35 years ago, with a whopping total of 34 awards!  Six of those awards have been for the overall win - the Santana (1980), Golf (2001 and 2010), Jetta Sport 2.0 TDI DSG (2012 and 2013) Volkswagen Passat Estate Alltrack 2.0TDI 4MOTION 150PS (2017).

Through the 1990s and 2000s, Volkswagen have scooped up many class wins for variants of the Golf, Polo, Jetta, Passat, Touareg, Tiguan and the CC GT. The top performances continued in 2018 and 2019 with Volkswagen taking class and category wins.

Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Tech 3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION 286PS auto tiptronic

Gallery

winners icon towcarClass winner:
Caravan Weight over 1700kg

 

The boot offers 810 litres of very usable space and, even with all the equipment nicely stowed, there was still plenty of room under the load cover. The large Volkswagen was praised for its level attitude when hitched and the ease with which mirrors, electrics etc were attached. And with an exceedingly generous noseweight limit of 140kg, this car really does have everything going for it.

Judges' comments:

"An all-round superb performer, one I’d like to take home with me!"

See Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Tech 3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION 286PS auto tiptronic statistics

5-door SUV, Volkswagen retractable towbar

Performance

  • Diesel (42.8mpg solo)
  • 6 cylinders, 2967cc engine
  • 8 gears, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 282@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 443@1750-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 6.3 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2070
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2850
  • Caravan (kg): 1760
  • Noseweight (kg): 140

Pricing

  • From £49,135 - £59,275
  • £60,315 (price as tested) includes £1,120 towing gear charges
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £2,210
  • Insurance group: 42E
  • CO2 g /km: 173
  • Towable with B licence: Unlikely (max caravan/trailer MTPLM 650kg) but B+E required for caravan/trailer heavier than this

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Amarok Trendline 3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION 204PS auto

Gallery

winners icon towcarClass winner:
Best Pick-up


As with all the pick-ups in this year’s competition, the Amarok’s load area is vast. The judges were also delighted with the full-size spare wheel, easy access to the electrics and 140kg noseweight.

Judges' comments:

"Amarok continues to impress – combines muscle with relative refinement. Capable and composed – it’s the pick of the pick-ups!"

See Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Amarok Trendline 3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION 204PS auto statistics

Double cab pick-up, Volkswagen fixed towbar

Performance

  • Diesel (34.9mpg solo)
  • 6 cylinders, 2967cc engine
  • 8 gears, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 201@3000-4500
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 368@1250-1750
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 9.0 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2320
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 3290
  • Caravan (kg): 1972
  • Noseweight (kg): 140

Pricing

  • From £25,825 - £39,985
  • £34,899 includes £372 towing gear charges
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £780
  • Insurance group: 41E
  • CO2 g /km: 212
  • Towable with B licence: unlikely (max caravan/trailer MTPLM 210kg) but B+E required for caravan/trailer heavier than this

Volkswagen T-Cross SE 1.0 TSI 115PS DSG 

Class entrant:
Caravan Weight under 1150kg

Judges' comments:

"A startlingly good little towcar!"

See Volkswagen T-Cross SE 1.0 TSI 115PS DSG statistics

5-door SUV, Volkswagen detachable towbar

Performance

  • Petrol (57.6mpg solo)
  • 3 cylinders, 999cc engine
  • 7 gears, auto
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 113@5000-5500
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 148@2000-3500
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 10.8 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1270
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 1750
  • Caravan (kg): 1080
  • Noseweight (kg): 55

Pricing

  • From £16,995 - £26,740
  • £21,835 (price as tested) includes £780 towing gear charges
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £460
  • Insurance group: 10E
  • CO2 g /km: 111
  • Towable with B licence: Yes

Volkswagen Polo SEL 1.0 TSI 115PS DSG  

Class entrant:
Caravan Weight under 1150kg

Judges' comments:

"Another lively little towcar featuring Volkswagen’s excellent 1.0-litre TSI engine"

See Volkswagen Polo SEL 1.0 TSI 115PS DSG statistics

5-door hatch, Volkswagen retractable towbar

Performance

  • Petrol (57.6mpg solo)
  • 3 cylinders, 999cc engine
  • 7 gears, automatic
  • Front wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 113@5000-5500
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 148@2000-3500
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 10.1 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1190
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 1660
  • Caravan (kg): 1012
  • Noseweight (kg): 50

Pricing

  • From £15,735 - £23,160
  • £21,100 (price as tested) includes £795 towing gear charges
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £440
  • Insurance group: 11E
  • CO2 g /km: 111
  • Towable with B licence: Yes

Volkswagen Arteon Elegance 2.0-litre TDI SCR 150PS manual  

Class entrant:
Caravan Weight under 1300kg - 1400kg

Judges' comments:

"A real ‘drivers’ car"

See Volkswagen Arteon Elegance 2.0-litre TDI SCR 150PS manual statistics

5-door coupe, Volkswagen retractable towbar

Performance

  • Diesel (64.2mpg solo)
  • 4 cylinders, 1968cc engine
  • 6 gears, manual
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 148@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 340@1750-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 12.5 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1614
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2140
  • Caravan (kg): 1372
  • Noseweight (kg): 90

Pricing

  • From £35,085 - £42,115
  • £37,132 (price as tested) includes £1,217.50 towing gear charges
  • Total of first three years’ car tax: £500
  • Insurance group: 22E
  • CO2 g /km: 115
  • Towable with B licence: Marginal within the Club’s 85% guidelines, B+E is just necessary to fully utilise the braked towing limit (by 12kg)

Volkswagen Polo SEL 1.0 TSI DSG

winners icon towcarClass winner:
Caravan Weight under 1100kg

Towcar of the Year 2019

See all statistics

Performance

  • Petrol (58.9mpg solo)
  • 3 cylinder, 999cc engine
  • 7 gear, DSG
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 113@5000-5500   
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 148@2000-3500
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 10.75 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1190
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 1660
  • Caravan (kg): 1012
  • Noseweight (kg): 50

Pricing

  • From £14,235 to £23,020
  • £20,699.50 (price as tested) includes £789.50 towing gear charges
  • Insurance group: 11E
  • CO2 g /km: 109
  • Towable with B licence: Yes

Volkswagen T-Roc SEL 2.0 TDI 4MOTION 150PS

Class entrant:
Caravan Weight 1100kg - 1350kg

Towcar of the Year 2019

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (56.5mpg solo)
  • 4 cylinder, 1984cc engine
  • 6 gear, manual
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 148@3500-4500
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 251@1750-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 10.2 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1505
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2020
  • Caravan (kg): 1279
  • Noseweight (kg): 80

Pricing

  • From £18,955 to £33,850
  • CO2 g /km: 132
  • £29,980 (price as tested) includes £810.50 towing gear charges
  • Towable with B licence: Yes within the Club’s 85% guidelines, B+E is necessary to fully utilise the braked towing limit

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace SEL 2.0 TDI 4MOTION 190PS DSG

Class entrant:
Caravan Weight 1500kg - 1700kg

Towcar of the Year 2019

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (47.9mpg solo)
  • 4 cylinder, 1968cc engine
  • 7 gear, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 187@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 295@1900-3300
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 10.3 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1845
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2420
  • Caravan (kg): 1568
  • Noseweight (kg): 100

Pricing

  • From £29,515 to £40,615
  • £39,840 (price as tested) includes £730 towing gear charges
  • Insurance group: 23E
  • CO2 g /km: 153
  • Towable with B licence: B licence unlikely (max caravan/trailer MTPLM 1080) but B+E required for caravan/trailer heavier than this

Volkswagen Amarok Highline 3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION 258PS Auto

winners icon towcarClass winner:
Pick-up

Towcar of the Year 2019

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (33.6mpg solo)
  • 6 cylinder, 2967cc engine
  • 8 gear, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 254@3250-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 428@1400-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 6.8 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2178
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 3290
  • Caravan (kg): 1851
  • Noseweight (kg): 140

Pricing

  • From £30,455 to £42,233
  • £43,191 (price as tested) includes £448 towing gear charges
  • Insurance group: 42E
  • CO2 g /km: 220
  • Towable with B licence: B licence unlikely (max caravan/trailer MTPLM 210) but B+E required for caravan/trailer heavier than this

Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Tech 3.0 V6 TDI SCR 4MOTION 286PS Tiptronic

winners icon towcarClass winner:
Caravan Weight over 1700kg

Towcar of the Year 2019

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (42.8mpg solo)
  • 6 cylinder, 2967cc engine
  • 8 gear, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 282@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 442@2250-3250
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 6.65 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 2070
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2850
  • Caravan (kg): 1760
  • Noseweight (kg): 140

Pricing

  • From £51,595 to £58,195
  • £62,175 (price as tested) includes £1,120 towing gear charges
  • Insurance group: 42E
  • CO2 g /km: 173
  • Towable with B licence: B licence unlikely (max caravan/trailer MTPLM 650) but B+E required for caravan/trailer heavier than this

Volkswagen Golf GT 2.0TDI 150PS DSG

Class entrant:
£26,000 - £30,000

Towcar of the Year 2018

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (62.8mpg solo)
  • 4 cylinder, 1968cc engine
  • 6 gear, automatic
  • Front-wheel drive
  • 5 door hatch
  • Power (bhp@rpm):  148@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm):  251@1750-3000
  • 30 - 60mph acceleration (towing):  11.6 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg):  1421
  • Gross vehicle (kg):  2260
  • Caravan (kg):  1208
  • Noseweight (kg):  80

Pricing

  • £27,835 (price as tested)
  • Insurance group:  20E
  • CO2 g /km:  117
  • Towable with B licence: Yes

Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack 2.0TDI 4MOTION 184PS DSG

winners icon towcarClass winner:
£30,000 - £33,000

Towcar of the Year 2018

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (54.3mpg solo)
  • 4 cylinder, 1968cc engine
  • 7 gear, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm):  182@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm):  280@1750-3250
  • 30 - 60mph acceleration (towing):  10.1 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg):  1576
  • Gross vehicle (kg):  2260
  • Caravan (kg):  1340
  • Noseweight (kg):  80

Pricing

  • £32,860 (price as tested)
  • Insurance group:  23E
  • CO2 g /km:  137
  • Towable with B licence: Yes but B+E licence required for any caravan/trailer over 1410kg MTPLM

Volkswagen Passat Estate Alltrack 2.0TDI SCR 4MOTION 150PS

Class entrant:
£33,000 - £38,000
All-wheel drive under 1800kg

Towcar of the Year 2018

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (57.6mpg solo)
  • 4 cylinder, 1968cc engine
  • 6 gear, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm):  148@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm):  251@1750-3000
  • 30 - 60mph acceleration (towing):  13.6 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg):  1670
  • Gross vehicle (kg):  2260
  • Caravan (kg):  1420
  • Noseweight (kg):  90

Pricing

  • £34,535 (price as tested)
  • Insurance group:  19E
  • CO2 g /km:  130
  • Towable with B licence: Yes but B+E licence required for any caravan/trailer over 1240kg MTPLM

Volkswagen Tiguan SEL 2.0TSI 4MOTION 180PS DSG

Class entrant:
£33,000 - £38,000
All-wheel drive under 1800kg

Towcar of the Year 2018

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (38.2mpg solo)
  • 4 cylinder, 1984cc engine
  • 7 gear, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm):  178@3940-6000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm):  236@1500-3940
  • 30 - 60mph acceleration (towing):  14.7 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg):  1862
  • Gross vehicle (kg):  2260
  • Caravan (kg):  1583
  • Noseweight (kg):  100

Pricing

  • £34,555 (price as tested)
  • Insurance group:  21E
  • CO2 g /km:  170
  • Towable with B licence: Yes but B+E licence required for any caravan/trailer over 1240kg MTPLM

Volkswagen Amarok Highline 3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION 224PS Automatic

winners icon towcarClass winner:
Pick-up
£38,000 - £50,000

Towcar of the Year 2018

See all statistics

Performance

  • Diesel (36.2mpg solo)
  • 6 cylinder, 2967cc engine
  • 8 gear, automatic
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm):  221@3000-4500
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm):  406@1400-2750
  • 30 - 60mph acceleration (towing):  9.2 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg):  2178
  • Gross vehicle (kg):  2260
  • Caravan (kg):  1851
  • Noseweight (kg):  140

Pricing

  • £39,607 (price as tested)
  • Insurance group:  42E
  • CO2 g /km:  204
  • Towable with B licence: B+E licence required for any trailer over 210kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate Alltrack 2.0TDI 4MOTION 150PS

winners icon towcarOverall winner:
Towcar of the Year 2017
(£32,000 - £35,000 and all-wheel drive under 1800kg)

Towcar of the Year 2017

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Performance

  • Engine: D/4/1968
  • 6 gear MAN
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 152@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb ft@rpm): 251@1750-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing):10.45 seconds 

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1670
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2260
  • Caravan weight (kg): 1420
  • Noseweight (kg): 90

Pricing

  • Price: £33,605
  • Insurance group: 19E
  • CO2 g /km: 30
  • Towable with B licence: Yes but B+E licence required for any caravan/trailer over 1450kg MTPLM

Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack 2.0TDI 4MOTION 150PS

winners icon towcarClass winner:
£29,000 - £32,000

Towcar of the Year 2017

See all statistics

Performance

  • Engine: D/4/1968
  • 6 Gear MAN
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 152@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 251@1750-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 10.25 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1555
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 
  • Caravan weight (kg): 1322
  • Noseweight (kg): 80

Pricing

  • From £30,400
  • Insurance group: 17E
  • CO2 g /km: 125
  • Towable with B licence: Yes but B+E licence required for any caravan/trailer over 1450kg MTPLM

Volkswagen Jetta SE 2.0-litre

winners icon towcarClass winner:
£22,000 - £26,000

Towcar of the Year 2016

See all statistics

Performance

  • Engine: Diesel / No. of cylinders:  D/4/1968
  • Automatic
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 148@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 251@1750-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 8.3 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1448
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 1960
  • Caravan weight (kg): 1231
  • Noseweight (kg): 75

Pricing

  • On the Road Price: £23,390
  • Total Test price: £24,740
  • Extras fitted:  VW Factory fit towbar including 13 pin electric socket (£645); Rear view camera (£165)
  • Price range: Volkswagen Jetta S 1.4-litre TSI BMT (£18,270) to Volkswagen Jetta GT 2.0-litre TDI BMT DSG (£24,170)
  • Insurance group: 22E
  • CO2 g /km: 120
  • Towable with B licence: Yes

Volkswagen Passat Estate GT 2.0-litre TDI

winners icon towcarClass winner:
£30,000 - £40,000

Towcar of the Year 2016

See all statistics

Performance

  • Engine: Diesel / No. of cylinders:  D/4/1968
  • 6 Gear AUT
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 188@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 295@1750-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 8 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1581
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2170
  • Caravan weight (kg): 1344
  • Noseweight (kg): 90

Pricing

  • Price: £30,420
  • Extras Fitted: Retractable towbar and electrics (13 pin socket) (£875); Trailer Assist (£465)
  • Price range: Volkswagen Passat Estate 1.6 TDI S 5d (£23,870) to Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 BiTDI SCR R Line 4MOTION 5d DSG (£37,170)
  • Insurance group: 22E
  • CO2 g /km: 120
  • Towable with B licence: Yes, if caravan/trailer tent weight is reduced.

Volkswagen Touareg R-Line 3.0TDI V6 4MOTION

winners icon towcarClass winner:
£40,000 - £50,000

Towcar of the Year 2016

See all statistics

Performance

  • Engine: Diesel / No. of cylinders: D/6/2967
  • 8 gears/AUT
  • All-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 258@3800-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 428@1750-2500
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 7 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg):  2185
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 2880
  • Caravan weight (kg): 1857
  • Noseweight (kg): 100

Pricing

  • On the Road Price: £48,405
  • Total Test price: £49,175
  • Extras fitted: Retractable towbar including 13 pin electric socket (£770)
  • Price range: Volkswagen Touareg  3.0 V6 TDI BlueMotion Tech (262bhp) Response 5d Tip Auto (£35,805) to Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI BlueMotion Tech (262bhp) R Line 5d Tip Auto (£48,405
  • Insurance group: 43E
  • CO2 g /km: 174
  • Towable with B licence: No

Volkswagen Golf SV GT 2.0TDI DSG

winners icon towcarClass winner:
£25,000 - £30,000

Towcar of the Year 2015

See all statistics

Performance

  • Engine: Diesel / No. of cylinders: D/4/1968
  • 6 Gear AUT
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 148@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 236@1750-3000
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 9.3 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1492
  • Gross vehicle (kg): 1990
  • Caravan weight (kg): 1268
  • Noseweight (kg): 80

Pricing

  • Price: £27,505
  • Insurance group: 17E
  • CO2 g /km: 122
  • Towable with B licence: Yes

Volkswagen Jetta Sport 2.0TDI DSG

winners icon towcarClass winner:
£20,000 - £25,000

Towcar of the Year 2014

See all statistics

Performance

  • Engine: Diesel/No. of cylinders 4/cc. 1968
  • 6 Gear AUT
  • Front-wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 138@3800
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 236@1750-2500
  • 40 - 60mph acceleration (towing): 9.3 seconds

Weights for towing

  • Kerbweight (kg): 1441
  • Caravan weight (kg): 1225
  • Noseweight (kg): 75

Pricing

  • Price: £24,185
  • Insurance group: 17E
  • CO2 g /km: 138
  • Towable with B licence: Yes