Well my wee micra has just died. Since OH has retired we don't need 2 cars so are thinking of getting a newer family car since the one we have is probably on its last legs too. Currently have a Seat Leon diesel. Looking ahead we think a hybrid car probably best option - I don't think there is an affordable electric towcar out - would I be right?
That being the case, can anyone recommend a hybrid car suitable for towing a small caravan? Any experiences or opinions? Thanks in advance.
Without causing mayhem here most of ther hybrids cannot pull the cream off a rice pudding!! (but they are gettign better), however try the toyota rav 4, as this was an option for us with our van at 1300 Kgs, but deemed the car to be a bit too small for us.
We needed the Ford Kuga phev 2.5, but could not get one due to semi condconductor supply issues..
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Self charging hybrids have a better towing ability than plug in hybrids and also cost less to buy. Remember if list price exceeds £40k the treasury bandits will sting you for extra VED for 5 years
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Quote: Originally posted by TrigGLX on 28/10/2022
Without causing mayhem here most of ther hybrids cannot pull the cream off a rice pudding!! (but they are gettign better), however try the toyota rav 4, as this was an option for us with our van at 1300 Kgs, but deemed the car to be a bit too small for us.
We needed the Ford Kuga phev 2.5, but could not get one due to semi condconductor supply issues..
That's a) not true (most plug-in hybrids can tow well) and b) totally dependant on the car. My old Volvo V60 D6 PHEV could tow 1800kg, had a nose limit of 90kg, was 290hp and about 450nm of torque. I sold it earlier this year on as a 66 plate at 45k miles for £18K. Sold to my parents in law who also tow, and they just did a 6 week tour of France in it.
Up to 25 miles on pure electric, 45mpg on pure diesel combined around 70mpg. 0 VED, no ULEZ or CAZ charges.
If you do long distance towing and short journeys at home, its a good bet.
For a towing all electric, your starting price is much higher - but have a look at the CMC tow car of the year awards this year - there are about 6 all electric cars featured for different budgets and caravan sizes.
Quote: Originally posted by 664DaveS on 28/10/2022
Self charging hybrids have a better towing ability than plug in hybrids and also cost less to buy. Remember if list price exceeds £40k the treasury bandits will sting you for extra VED for 5 years
Thats a massive "it depends". There are lots of full PHEVs that have very good towing credentials and lots of regular hybrid that cant tow at all. It's down to the specifics of the drive train and the homologation by the manufacturer.
The simple answer is there is no one size fits all.
With some more info (budget, new or used, age, caravan weight) a decent match of a PHEV or an Hybrid could be made. With a bit more info (type of towing, mix of towed vs solo miles, mix of short vs long trips) helping find the right car (Hybrid, PHEV, all electric or pure ICE) is also easier.
Thanks for replies. Pricing 2nd hand earlier online I was shocked to see 4/5 year old cars practically same price as ours was new, so can't afford new. Three years old(ish) would be my preferred option. Caravan is a small 1300 kg. When towing we would normally be on longer journeys although that doesn't always mean motorways (travelling distances within Scotland for example).
Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 28/10/2022
Thanks for replies. Pricing 2nd hand earlier online I was shocked to see 4/5 year old cars practically same price as ours was new, so can't afford new. Three years old(ish) would be my preferred option. Caravan is a small 1300 kg. When towing we would normally be on longer journeys although that doesn't always mean motorways (travelling distances within Scotland for example).
New cars of any kind (electric, hybrid, diesel) are very expensive right now.
For pure electric, your range towing is going to be around 100 - 150 miles between charges depending on the car/caravan/weather combo. A used Audi etron 55, Kia EV6. Hyundai Ionic 5, Polestar 2 , would all tow your caravan, but I suspect is out of budget. (Electric cars are as expensive 3 years old with 60k miles as new).
The PHEV choice is much wider. The Volvo range (V60 older generation diesel or current petrol V60, V90, XC40, XC60 or XC90) are all excellent tow cars.
The VW GTE cars are supposed to be good, and there are others.
Have a look at the Tow car of the year 2023 awards for some inspiration.
Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 28/10/2022
Thanks for replies. Pricing 2nd hand earlier online I was shocked to see 4/5 year old cars practically same price as ours was new, so can't afford new. Three years old(ish) would be my preferred option. Caravan is a small 1300 kg. When towing we would normally be on longer journeys although that doesn't always mean motorways (travelling distances within Scotland for example).
New cars of any kind (electric, hybrid, diesel) are very expensive right
Have a look at the Tow car of the year 2023 awards for some inspiration.
Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 28/10/2022
Thanks for replies. Pricing 2nd hand earlier online I was shocked to see 4/5 year old cars practically same price as ours was new, so can't afford new. Three years old(ish) would be my preferred option. Caravan is a small 1300 kg. When towing we would normally be on longer journeys although that doesn't always mean motorways (travelling distances within Scotland for example).
New cars of any kind (electric, hybrid, diesel) are very expensive right now.
For pure electric, your range towing is going to be around 100 - 150 miles between charges depending on the car/caravan/weather combo. A used Audi etron 55, Kia EV6. Hyundai Ionic 5, Polestar 2 , would all tow your caravan, but I suspect is out of budget. (Electric cars are as expensive 3 years old with 60k miles as new).
The PHEV choice is much wider. The Volvo range (V60 older generation diesel or current petrol V60, V90, XC40, XC60 or XC90) are all excellent tow cars.
The VW GTE cars are supposed to be good, and there are others.
Have a look at the Tow car of the year 2023 awards for some inspiration.
PHEV tow car of the year is the Hyundai Tucson PHEV 4x4……The Volvo comes under “others”
We tow a 1200Kg Weinsberg CaraOne with our Peugeot 508SW PHEV. Maximum towing weight is 1,340 Kg according to the plate and spec sheet. My only gripe is that the boot is smaller than most in its class. It does make up for this by being crazy comfortable.
Quote: Originally posted by smiffa on 30/10/2022
We tow a 1200Kg Weinsberg CaraOne with our Peugeot 508SW PHEV. Maximum towing weight is 1,340 Kg according to the plate and spec sheet. My only gripe is that the boot is smaller than most in its class. It does make up for this by being crazy comfortable.
Ours was about £30K second hand.
Wow! Only about £26k more than we could afford. At least they are coming down, so by the time I'm about 115 I might be able to afford one.
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Topic: Hybrid or electric towcar?
via mobile 28/10/2022 at 10:19am
