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Best tow cars 2026: seven cars for caravans and heavy trailers

Updated 7 cars in this ranking

A good tow car needs three things: a legal towing limit well above the weight of your caravan, enough kerb weight to keep the outfit stable, and a nose weight limit that suits a modern tourer. The seven cars below are on sale new in Europe in 2026 and may tow at least 2,200 kg braked. Three of them, the Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser, may pull the 3,500 kg maximum allowed for most cars.

Quick picks

The table lists the figures ADAC, Germany's motoring club, gives for one version of each car. The 85 per cent column is a guide used by caravan clubs: a loaded caravan of no more than 85 per cent of the car's kerb weight is considered a stable match for most drivers.

Model (version)Kerb weight (EU)Braked towing (12%)85% of kerb weightNose weightList price from, Germany
Land Rover Discovery (D250 S AWD)2,391 kg3,500 kg2,032 kg150 kg€78,600 (2026)
Land Rover Defender 110 (D250 S)2,436 kg3,500 kg2,071 kg150 kg€78,400 (2025)
Toyota Land Cruiser (2.8 D-4D Mild-Hybrid)2,410 kg3,500 kg2,049 kg140 kg€84,750 (2026)
VW Passat Variant (2.0 TDI 4MOTION 142 kW)1,765 kg2,200 kg1,500 kg90 kg€58,000 (2026)
Škoda Kodiaq (2.0 TDI 4x4 142 kW)1,815 kg2,300 kg1,543 kg100 kg€51,900 (2025)
Volvo XC90 (B5 AWD)2,080 kg2,400 kg1,768 kg110 kg€81,490 (2024)
BMW iX (xDrive45)2,525 kg2,500 kg2,146 kg100 kg€83,500 (2025)

For a pickup that tows 3,500 kg and carries a tonne in the bed, see the Ford Ranger. For a cheaper used estate that tows well, the best used diesel estates cover the brief.

  1. 1. Land Rover Discovery L462

    Best overall

    Production years
    2017–present
    Body type
    SUV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel
    Power output
    132–265 kW (179–360 PS)

    The fifth Discovery has been on sale since 2017, and its latest update arrived in Germany in May 2026. The D250 diesel mild hybrid delivers 183 kW (249 PS) and 570 Nm through an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. ADAC lists a 3,500 kg braked towing limit, a 150 kg nose weight and an EU kerb weight of 2,391 kg, so even a heavy twin-axle caravan stays within the 85 per cent guide. The boot holds 986 litres, and ground clearance reaches 283 mm. The drawbacks: 8.5 l/100 km WLTP and a list price from €78,600 in Germany.

    Pros

    • 3,500 kg braked towing and 150 kg nose weight
    • 986-litre boot
    • Up to 283 mm ground clearance

    Cons

    • 8.5 l/100 km WLTP and €78,600 starting price
    Full review: Land Rover Discovery L462

  2. 2. Land Rover Defender L663

    Best off the road

    Production years
    2020–present
    Body type
    SUV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
    Power output
    147–467 kW (200–635 PS)

    The second-generation Defender has been built since 2020, and the facelifted car has been listed by ADAC since June 2025. In 110 form with the D250 diesel it shares the Discovery's 183 kW (249 PS), 570 Nm and 3,500 kg braked limit, with 150 kg allowed on the tow ball. At 2,436 kg it is the heaviest combustion car here, which helps stability with a big caravan. It can wade through 850 mm of water and offers a 786-litre boot. Euro NCAP gave it five stars in 2020. The drawbacks: 8.5 l/100 km WLTP and a starting price of €78,400.

    Pros

    • 3,500 kg braked towing
    • 850 mm wading depth
    • Five-star Euro NCAP (2020)

    Cons

    • 8.5 l/100 km WLTP

    Spec sheet: Land Rover Defender L663 5.0 l P525 V8 386 kW (525 PS)

    Full review: Land Rover Defender L663

  3. 3. Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J250

    Best for long-term toughness

    Production years
    2024–present
    Body type
    SUV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

    The J250 Land Cruiser reached Germany in November 2024, and since September 2025 its 2.8-litre diesel has a mild-hybrid system. It produces 151 kW (205 PS) and 500 Nm, drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic and may tow 3,500 kg braked with a 140 kg nose weight. ADAC lists an EU kerb weight of 2,410 kg and a 742-litre boot. Toyota's warranty runs for three years or 100,000 km. The drawbacks: it needs 12.3 s to reach 100 km/h and uses 10.6 l/100 km WLTP, the most here. The 75th Anniversary model costs from €84,750.

    Pros

    • 3,500 kg braked towing
    • 2,410 kg kerb weight for stability
    • 742-litre boot

    Cons

    • 10.6 l/100 km WLTP and 12.3 s to 100 km/h
    Full review: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J250

  4. 4. Volkswagen Passat B9

    Best estate for towing

    Production years
    2023–present
    Body type
    Station wagon
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
    Power output
    110–150 kW (150–204 PS)

    The Caravan and Motorhome Club named the Passat its overall Towcar of the Year 2026. The B9 is sold only as the Variant estate, and the 2.0 TDI 4MOTION with 142 kW (193 PS) and 400 Nm is the strongest tow version ADAC lists. It may pull 2,200 kg braked, reaches 100 km/h in 7.6 s and uses just 5.7 l/100 km WLTP. The 690-litre boot grows to 1,920 litres. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2024 with 93 per cent for adult protection. The drawback: a 90 kg nose weight is the lowest here, too little for some caravans.

    Pros

    • Towcar of the Year 2026 (Caravan and Motorhome Club)
    • 5.7 l/100 km WLTP
    • 690-litre boot

    Cons

    • Only 90 kg nose weight

    Spec sheet: Volkswagen Passat B9 1.5 l eTSI 110 kW (150 PS)

    Full review: Volkswagen Passat B9

  5. 5. Skoda Kodiaq II

    Best value

    Production years
    2023–present
    Body type
    SUV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
    Power output
    110–195 kW (150–265 PS)

    The second Kodiaq is the cheapest way into serious towing in this list. With the 2.0 TDI and all-wheel drive, it produces 142 kW (193 PS) and 400 Nm and may tow 2,300 kg braked with 100 kg on the ball. ADAC lists it from €51,900 in Germany, uses 6.0 l/100 km WLTP and has a 910-litre boot that easily swallows awning and camping gear. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2024. The drawback: at 1,815 kg it is light for its towing limit, so the 85 per cent guide points to caravans of about 1,540 kg.

    Pros

    • From €51,900 with 2,300 kg towing
    • 910-litre boot
    • Five-star Euro NCAP (2024)

    Cons

    • 1,815 kg kerb weight limits the ideal caravan weight

    Spec sheet: Skoda Kodiaq II 1.5 TSI mHEV 110 kW (150 PS)

    Full review: Skoda Kodiaq II

  6. 6. Volvo XC90 II

    Best seven-seat tow car

    Production years
    2015–present
    Body type
    SUV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
    Power output
    140–335 kW (190–455 PS)

    The second XC90 has been in production since 2015 and was updated again in 2024. The B5 petrol mild hybrid has 184 kW (250 PS), all-wheel drive and seven seats as standard. ADAC lists a 2,400 kg braked towing limit, a 110 kg nose weight and an EU kerb weight of 2,080 kg. That combination suits large families who tow at weekends. The drawbacks: the petrol engine uses 8.3 l/100 km WLTP, the boot holds only 302 litres with all seats in use, and its five-star Euro NCAP rating dates from 2015.

    Pros

    • Seven seats as standard
    • 2,400 kg braked towing
    • All-wheel drive

    Cons

    • 8.3 l/100 km WLTP and a 2015 Euro NCAP rating

    Spec sheet: Volvo XC90 II D5 165 kW (224 PS)

    Full review: Volvo XC90 II

  7. 7. BMW iX I20

    Best electric tow car

    Production years
    2021–present
    Body type
    SUV
    Fuel
    Electric

    The Caravan and Motorhome Club named the iX its best electric towcar for 2026. Since the 2025 update, the xDrive45 has 300 kW (408 PS), 700 Nm and a 94.8 kWh (net) battery with 602 km of WLTP range. ADAC lists a 2,500 kg braked towing limit, the highest of any electric car in this list. It reaches 100 km/h in 5.1 s and charges at up to 175 kW DC. The battery is guaranteed for eight years or 160,000 km. The drawbacks: it weighs 2,525 kg, allows only 100 kg nose weight and costs from €83,500.

    Pros

    • 2,500 kg braked towing as an EV
    • 602 km WLTP range
    • 175 kW DC charging

    Cons

    • 2,525 kg kerb weight and €83,500 price
    Full review: BMW iX I20

How we chose

Selection. The list covers cars and SUVs sold new in Europe in 2026, with a published model page on 1cars and a braked towing limit of at least 2,200 kg in the version shown. Pickups are left to a separate list. The Volkswagen Touareg, long a favourite with caravanners, was left out because ADAC lists its last Final Edition versions only until May 2026.

Data sources. Kerb weights (EU, including a driver), braked and unbraked towing limits at a 12 per cent gradient, nose weights, dimensions, consumption, warranty terms and German list prices come from the ADAC Autokatalog pages for the named versions (accessed October 2026). The 85 per cent column is calculated from the ADAC kerb weight; it is a club guideline, not a legal limit. Euro NCAP stars and test years come from the 1cars catalogue or ADAC. Licence rules come from the GOV.UK towing page and the EU driving licence categories.

Ranking. The order is editorial. It weighs towing limit, kerb weight, nose weight, space, running costs and price, and it is not a test score. The Caravan and Motorhome Club's Towcar of the Year 2026 results, as reported by Express & Star, were used as a cross-check: the Passat won overall and the iX won the electric class. Full specifications are on the 1cars pages for the Land Rover Discovery and the Land Rover Defender.

Frequently asked questions

Which car can tow the most?

In this list the Land Rover Discovery, Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser may each tow 3,500 kg braked, the usual maximum for a car in Europe. The BMW iX manages 2,500 kg and the Volvo XC90 B5 2,400 kg, according to ADAC.

What is the 85 per cent rule for caravans?

It is a guideline from caravan clubs, not a law: the loaded caravan should weigh no more than 85 per cent of the car's kerb weight. A Passat Variant at 1,765 kg is therefore a good match for a caravan of about 1,500 kg, even though it may legally tow 2,200 kg.

What licence do I need to tow a caravan?

Under the EU categories, a B licence covers a trailer of up to 750 kg, or a heavier one if car and trailer together stay within 3,500 kg. Category BE covers trailers up to 3,500 kg. In the UK, drivers who passed from 1 January 1997 can tow trailers up to 3,500 kg under category BE.

What is nose weight and why does it matter?

Nose weight is the maximum downward load the caravan may put on the tow ball. ADAC lists 150 kg for the Discovery and Defender, 140 kg for the Land Cruiser, but only 90 kg for the Passat Variant. Check that the caravan's recommended nose weight fits within the car's limit.

Are electric cars good for towing?

Some have high limits: the BMW iX xDrive45 may tow 2,500 kg braked. However, it weighs 2,525 kg and allows only 100 kg on the tow ball, and plug-in hybrids are often weaker. ADAC lists 1,210 kg for the Hyundai Tucson plug-in hybrid.

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