• What makes a good tow car?
• Can a compact electric SUV tow a caravan?
• Mid-weight family SUVs
• Premium & sporty SUVs
• Dependable diesels
• Heavyweight tow cars for caravans or trailers
• Are automatic gearboxes better for towing?
• SUV verdict
• SUV towing categories and Bailey caravan matches

With their generous kerb weights, higher ride heights and roomy interiors, they’re well-suited to towing everything from a compact two-berth caravan to Bailey’s heaviest twin-axles.

For 2026, the mix is broader than ever. Diesel is still here, but hybrids and EVs now make up a big slice of The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year entry list.

As one of the driving judges, I have towed many Bailey caravans with SUVs at Millbrook Proving Ground. They were tested on steep gradients, during high-speed lane changes, and conducted a pitch-reversing procedure — all conditions caravanners face on tour.

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A good tow car is about more than just raw power. The best SUVs for caravanning combine stability, sensible gearing, and a strong gross vehicle mass to keep the outfit settled. Whether you’re towing a small caravan, such as a two-berth Bailey Discovery, or a larger caravan, like a twin-axle Alicanto Grande, choosing the right car makes all the difference. Being capable tow cars, the following would also apply if you decide to tow a heavy trailer or boat.

A longer wheelbase can aid stability, which is partly why larger SUVs, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser, Range Rover Sport, and Volvo XC90, have earned reputations as capable tow cars. Strong low-down torque is equally important. Diesels, such as the Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-80, pull cleanly from low revs, while plug-in hybrids, like the Honda CR-V PHEV and Lexus RX 450h+, combine smooth petrol engines with electric assistance for a more relaxed drive.

For some, the ideal tow car is an electric SUV. Models such as the BMW iX, Kia EV9, or Nissan Ariya offer instant response for hill starts and slip roads, although their range is reduced when towing. Whatever your preference — diesel, hybrid or EV — the best tow cars share the same qualities: stability, sufficient towing capacity, and the ability to give both caravan and passengers a comfortable ride.

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While most caravanners still think of diesels when it comes to towing, compact electric SUVs are proving their worth. They might not have the maximum towing capacities of larger 4x4s, but models like the Skoda Elroq and Enyaq show that for a small caravan, such as a lightweight Bailey Discovery D4-2, they can be both stable and surprisingly capable.

Instant torque, a low centre of gravity from the battery pack, and the reassurance of four-wheel drive in the Enyaq make them great for towing on shorter tours — provided you plan your charging stops carefully.

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For many caravanners, the sweet spot lies in the mid-weight family SUV class. These models combine sufficient torque and towing capacity to manage a four-berth caravan or even a lighter twin-axle vehicle, without straying into heavyweight 4×4 territory. They’re also practical as everyday family cars, with room for passengers and kit.

From the dependable Subaru Forester to the hybrid Honda CR-V and the seven-seat Nissan X-Trail, this group offers a wide range of capable tow cars that strike a balance between stability, fuel efficiency, and a comfortable ride, all while maintaining day-to-day usability.

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Not every caravanner wants their tow car to feel purely utilitarian. The premium and sporty SUV sector offers extra refinement, stronger performance, and, in some cases, a more engaging driving experience. These models don’t just serve as capable tow cars; they double as luxury family cars for everyday use.

Whether it’s the all-electric Genesis GV60, the larger GV70, the sharp-handling BMW X3 M50, or the smooth Lexus RX 450h+, each blends comfort with the stability and torque needed to keep a Bailey caravan firmly in line. For those who want an ideal tow car that also delivers style and a comfortable ride, this class is hard to beat.

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For many seasoned caravanners, nothing beats the pulling power and long-distance stamina of a diesel engine. These dependable diesels remain some of the most capable tow cars, combining strong torque with impressive fuel efficiency when hauling a caravan across the UK or into Europe. Models like the Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-80, and the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser deliver the stability and high towing capacity needed for heavier Bailey models, such as the Unicorn and Alicanto ranges, while also serving as practical family cars with roomy interiors and a reassuringly comfortable ride.

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When it comes to towing Bailey’s heaviest models — big twin-axles like the Alicanto Porto — only full-size SUVs will do. These SUVs sit at the top of the tow car categories, offering huge gross vehicle mass, long wheelbases, and the kind of rock-solid stability that makes light work of a heavy trailer or caravan at motorway speeds. From the all-electric BMW iX and Kia EV9 to the versatile Volvo XC90 T8, plus prestige names like the Bentley Bentayga and Range Rover Sport, these are the most capable (and expensive) tow cars in the 2026 field. They bring the torque, refinement and high towing capacity needed for serious touring, while also delivering the kind of comfortable ride that keeps long family journeys relaxed.

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For many experienced caravanners, an automatic gearbox is a popular choice. Almost every SUV in the Towcar of the Year 2026 competition — from the Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi to the BMW X3 M50, Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV and Range Rover Sport PHEV — comes with some form of automatic transmission as standard.

The advantages when towing are clear. Automatics take the stress out of hill starts with a heavy caravan, and most modern torque-converter and dual-clutch units are designed to deliver a smooth pull-away. It’s one of the reasons large SUVs like the Mazda CX-80 and Toyota Land Cruiser feel so composed on steep inclines.

Hybrids and EVs, such as the Honda CR-V PHEV, Nissan Ariya and BMW iX, simplify things further. Their single-speed or e-CVT setups deliver instant torque without the need to juggle gears, making them some of the most capable tow cars for manoeuvring onto a pitch.

For families who use their tow car every day, an automatic transmission also adds to the sense of a comfortable ride, and fuel economy is broadly similar. Long motorway drives with a caravan in tow are less tiring when the car does the shifting for you, whether you’re driving a towing powerhouse like the Bentley Bentayga or a more affordable but practical choice like the Skoda Enyaq.

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• For Discovery and Phoenix Black owners, the compact Skoda EVs prove you don’t need diesel brawn.
• For Pegasus Black outfits, the Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sorento cover family needs with ease.
• For Unicorns, premium SUVs like the BMW X3, Lexus RX and Mazda CX-80 add polish.
• And for Alicanto Grandes, you’ll need the heavy hitters — Volvo XC90, BMW iX, Kia EV9, or Range Rover Sport.

No matter which you choose, the golden rule holds: pick an SUV with a healthy margin over your caravan’s MTPLM for safe, secure towing.

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When choosing between today’s tow vehicles, it’s easy to get lost in spec sheets. That’s why the Towcar of the Year 2026 competition grouped each SUV into clear categories based on individual towing abilities, from lightweight single-axles through to Bailey’s heaviest twin-axle vans.

Each tow car is matched to a caravan that falls within the weight categories listed below. For example, if a vehicle can tow a 995kg caravan, it will be in the Up to 1200kg category.

All cars tested are matched with a balanced caravan that is 85% of the car’s kerb weight (not the car’s maximum weight for towing), unless it’s an EV, in which case the towing limit is likely less than this figure. The vehicle is also balasted with a heavy load that mimics people and luggage carried on a family holiday.