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    RoamWorthy
    Towing Database

    Best Tow Cars UK, Towing Capacities by Make & Model

    Compare the best tow cars in the UK by braked towing limit, kerbweight and 85% rule guidance. RoamWorthy's towing database covers 37 popular models across 17 makes, helping you find a car that can safely tow the caravan or trailer you want.

    Towing limits vary by engine, gearbox and trim level. Check your exact car by registration for the most accurate data, or use the caravan match calculator to see whether a specific caravan is a safe match.

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    Start typing a make or model to jump straight to its towing specs.

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    Popular tow cars

    Head straight to the most-searched UK tow car guides. Each page shows verified braked towing capacity, kerbweight and the 85% rule check.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    There is no single best tow car. The right choice depends on your caravan's MTPLM, the payload you carry, family needs, budget and the licence you hold. Larger diesel and PHEV SUVs such as the Volkswagen Touareg, Land Rover Discovery and Skoda Kodiaq are popular because they combine a high braked towing limit with a kerbweight that meets the 85% guideline for heavier caravans. Always confirm the exact engine, trim and gearbox, as towing limits vary within the same model range.

    Most mid-size SUVs and many estates can tow a 1,500kg caravan, including the Skoda Karoq, Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Volvo XC40. For the 85% guideline you want a car with a kerbweight of around 1,765kg or more. Check your exact car using the towing-capacity-by-reg tool before you commit.

    Generally yes, within reason. A higher kerbweight helps the car stay stable when the caravan pushes or sways, which is why the 85% guideline compares caravan MTPLM to car kerbweight. Heavier does not mean safer on its own though, gross train weight, braked towing capacity and noseweight all still apply.

    Many plug-in hybrids tow well thanks to strong low-down torque and high kerbweights, for example the Volvo XC60 and XC90 PHEVs. Range drops noticeably on electric when towing, so plan for shorter EV-only stints and check the braked towing capacity carefully because some hybrids tow less than the equivalent diesel.

    Some electric cars can tow, but the choice is much smaller than for petrol, diesel or hybrid. Real-world range usually drops by 30 to 50 percent when towing a caravan, and charging infrastructure for an outfit is still limited. If you are committed to electric, check the manufacturer's braked towing capacity and plan stops around chargers that can accept the full outfit.

    You need a braked towing capacity that comfortably exceeds your caravan's MTPLM, with enough kerbweight to satisfy the 85% guideline. Use the caravan match calculator to combine both checks, plus noseweight and gross train weight, before you buy.

    Both. Towing capacity is the legal maximum braked weight the car can pull. Kerbweight is what supports the 85% stability guideline. A car can have a high towing capacity but a kerbweight that still leaves you over the 85% figure for a heavy caravan.

    The 85% guideline suggests your caravan's MTPLM should not exceed 85% of the car's kerbweight for stable, confident towing. It is not a legal limit, but it is widely recommended for newer tow car drivers and for outfits used at motorway speeds.

    You can find your car's towing capacity in the vehicle handbook, on the VIN plate inside the driver's door, or by using our towing capacity by reg tool for a quick registration lookup. Then use the towing calculator if you want to compare a specific car and caravan.

    If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, you can tow up to 3,500 kg combined weight (car + trailer). For heavier outfits you may need a B+E entitlement or the newer BE test. Drivers who passed before 1997 can tow heavier combinations.

    How to choose a tow car for a caravan

    Start with the caravan's MTPLM, then check the car's braked towing capacity against it. Compare the caravan's MTPLM to the car's kerbweight using the 85% towing guideline for stable, confident driving.

    Confirm the caravan's noseweight sits within the car's towbar limit, and check gross train weight if both the car and caravan will be fully loaded with passengers, luggage and water. Use the towing calculator to combine all these checks for a specific outfit, or check your car's towing capacity by registration if you are still choosing a vehicle.

    Once your tow car is sorted, browse caravans for sale that match your weight and stability targets.

    Best tow cars for caravans in 2026, by category

    The "best" tow car depends on caravan weight, family needs, budget, the licence you hold and the exact vehicle spec. The categories below are starting points, not rankings, and towing limits vary by engine, gearbox, drivetrain and year. Always confirm your exact car using the towing capacity by reg tool or manufacturer data, and check the match with the towing calculator.

    Best overall tow cars

    All-round performers that combine a high braked towing limit with a kerbweight that comfortably supports the 85% guideline for medium and heavier caravans.

    Best family tow cars

    Family-friendly SUVs and seven-seaters with enough kerbweight for mid-range caravans and enough room for a real holiday load.

    • Kia Sorento towing capacity — Seven seats and a competitive braked limit, but confirm the engine and gearbox combination before you commit.
    • Peugeot 5008 towing capacity — Roomy seven-seater for smaller and mid-weight caravans, with limits that vary noticeably by powertrain.
    • Skoda Kodiaq towing capacity — Worth comparing if you need a family SUV with strong towing credentials, but check the exact engine and trim because towing limits vary.

    Best used tow cars

    Established used choices that depreciate sensibly and still deliver the kerbweight needed for the 85% guideline.

    Best tow cars for heavier caravans

    If you tow a twin-axle or are close to 3,500kg laden, prioritise braked limit, gross train weight and a kerbweight well above your caravan's MTPLM.

    Best premium tow cars

    Refined long-distance options if comfort, cabin quality and motorway stability matter to you.

    • Audi Q7 towing capacity — Comfortable long-distance SUV that pairs a strong braked limit with a high kerbweight in most trims.
    • BMW X5 towing capacity — Refined and stable, with towing limits that vary by engine, so confirm the figure on your exact car.
    • Mercedes-Benz GLE towing capacity — Premium SUV worth comparing on long touring trips, with quoted limits that differ across generations.

    Best small-caravan tow cars

    Lighter SUVs and crossovers that suit caravans under roughly 1,500kg MTPLM and want to stay within the 85% guideline.

    Hybrid and electric tow cars are evolving quickly. Many plug-in hybrids tow well thanks to high kerbweight and torque, but real-world electric range drops sharply when towing. We do not publish a single "best" electric or hybrid tow car list because braked limits vary widely by powertrain and year, and the choice is still small. Use the registration lookup to confirm your specific vehicle.

    Towing terms explained

    Brush up on what towing capacity means, kerbweight, noseweight, the 85% towing guideline, and gross train weight before choosing a tow car.

    Related Tools & Guides

    Check by RegistrationTowing CalculatorBrowse CaravansWhat is MTPLM?What is Kerbweight?Motorhome WeightsTowing Rules UK