Volkswagen

Volkswagen

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 Polo SEL 1.0 TSI DSG

5-door hatchback, Volkswagen Retractable towbar


Winner of 'Caravan Weight under 1100kg' at Towcar of the Year 2019

"So much better than you could ever expect: with this caravan the combination is truly amazing."

Judge's comment

Performance

  • Petrol (58.9mpg solo)
  • 3 cylinder, 999cc engine
  • 7 gear, DSG
  • Front wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 188@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 295@1750-3250
  • 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

5-door SUV, Volkswagen Retractable towbar

Entered into the 'Caravan Weight 1100-1350kg' category at Towcar of the Year 2019

"Very good at all speeds – feels low and planted for a small SUV."

Judge's comment

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

5-door SUV, Volkswagen retractable tow bar

Entered into the 'Caravan Weight 1500 - 1700kg' category at Towcar of the Year 2019

"A lot of fun – performs equally well on A roads and motorways."

Judge's comment

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

4-door pick-up, Volkswagen fixed tow bar

Entered into 'Caravan Weight over 1700kg' category at Towcar of the Year 2019 - Winner of 'Pick-Up' class

"In terms of pure power, performance, agility and sheer all-round competence, it is hard to fault."

Judge's comment

Performance

  • Diesel (33.6mpg solo)
  • 6 cylinder, 2967cc engine
  • 8 gear, automatic
  • All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 188@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 295@1750-3250
  • 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

5-door SUV, Volkswagen retractable tow bar


Winner of 'Caravan Weight over 1700kg' category at Towcar of the Year 2019

 

"Great engine – good ride and handling."

Judge's comment

Performance

  • Diesel (42.8mpg solo)
  • 6 cylinder, 2967cc engine
  • 8 gear, automatic
  • All wheel drive
  • Power (bhp@rpm): 188@3500-4000
  • Torque (lb/ft@rpm): 295@1750-3250
  • 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

Towcar of the Year 2018 entrants

Volkswagen Golf GT 2.0TDI 150PS DSG

4-door hatch, Volkswagen fitted towbar

Entered into the '£26,000 - £30,000' price class at Towcar of the Year 2018.

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

5-door estate, Volkswagen fitted towbar

Entered into the 'all-wheel drive under 1800kg' category and wInner of the '£30,000 - £33,000' price class at Towcar of the Year 2018.

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

5-door estate, Volkswagen fitted towbar

Entered into the '£33,000 - £38,000' price class and 'all-wheel drive under 1800kg' category at Towcar of the Year 2018.

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

5-door SUV, Volkswagen fitted towbar

Entered into the '£338,000 - £38,000' price class and 'all-wheel drive under 1800kg' category at Towcar of the Year 2018.

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

4-door pick-up, Westfalia fitted towbar

Winner of the 'pick-up' category and entered into the '£38,000 - £50,000' price class and 'all-wheel drive under 1800kg' categories at Towcar of the Year 2018.

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

Towcar of the Year 2017 winners

Towcar of the Year 2016 winners

Volkswagen Jetta SE 2.0-litre

Winner of 'Vehicles £22,000 - £26,000'

 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

Winner of 'vehicles £30,000 - £40,000'

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

Winner of 'Vehicles £40,000 - £50,000'

 

 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

Towcar of the Year 2015 winners

Volkswagen Golf SV GT 2.0TDI DSG

Winner of 'Vehicles £25,000 - £30,000'

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

Towcar of the Year 2014 winners