Best Used Premium Cars for Towing
10th Sep 2021
Premium Towing Cars
When it comes to buying a car that can tow, the towing capacity and practicality is likely to be top of your criteria. It is essential that the vehicle is able to tow your trailer legally, safely and effectively; whether it is a caravan, horsebox or even a boat.
Nevertheless, you want your car to offer more than just pulling power. After all, when the trailer is not in use you will still be using your car for all manner of journeys. Although tow cars tend to be large and powerful, they can still look sleek and deliver an excellent driving experience.
Our list of the best premium cars for towing includes estates and saloons alongside the SUVs and 4x4s you would expect, showing the variety of cars available to those needing a tow vehicle.
Land Rover Discovery - 3,500kg
The Land Rover Discovery has been an iconic British vehicle for over 30 years, and it remains hard to beat in terms of towing. With its class-leading off-road capabilities, excellent practicality and powerful engines, the Discovery has everything a caravan owner needs, whilst it is also one of the best premium family cars around.
Known as the Discovery 5, this latest generation has now been around for a few years and offers a sleek new design that appeals to owners who want something a little more stylish than a rugged-looking 4x4.
Offering up to seven seats, with plenty of legroom for all passengers, the interior is versatile and boasts a sophisticated infotainment system with satellite navigation.
Best of all, the Discovery can tow just about anything, thanks to its towing capacity of 3,500kg.
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BMW 5 Series - 2,000kg
One of the most desirable executive cars on the road, the BMW 5 Series is available as a stylish Saloon or a practical Touring (estate) model.
Both versions can tow up to 2,000kg but the BMW 520d Touring xDrive M Sport actually secured overall winner in the 2018 Tow Car Awards along with winning the 1,700kg to 1,899kg category. Powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine, the 520d is perfect if you are looking for a car that is pleasing on price, performance and economy.
Offering plenty of interior space and comfort, the 5 Series is an ideal family car or it is well suited for mile munching on the motorways for business trips.
You can also look out for the 330e, which is a plug-in hybrid model, for enhanced efficiency. The only downside to this powertrain is that the towing capacity is reduced to 1,700kg.
Land Rover Defender - 3,500kg
Practicality and durability are high on the agenda with the latest generation Land Rover Defender, which has evolved from the iconic workhorse to a luxury SUV with the extreme toughness and ultimate off-road capability remaining an important aspect of the design.
Living on a farm? The Defender is capable of towing horse trailers or cattle boxes with ease, thanks to its towing capacity of 3,500kg. This fantastic capability means both the 90 and 110 bodystyles will make great family cars for towing caravans, too.
If you find a used model with the optional deployable tow ball fitted you can deploy the tow bar from inside the vehicle or using the button that can be found in the boot. You also get the handy reversing camera to help you position the Defender correctly for attaching the trailer.
If you are still unsure whether the reimaged Defender can live up to its reputation, we compared the new version to its predecessor and discovered the new Defender is even more capable than the original Defender when it comes to off-roading.
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Jaguar XF - 2,000kg
When you saw the Jaguar XF was mentioned in this article you probably assumed we were referring to the XF Sportbrake (estate). You are not wrong, as such, but we are actually referring to both the Sportbrake and the luxury executive Saloon as both bodystyles boast a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg.
Winning best tow car in the 1,550 to 1,699kg category of the 2017 Tow Car Awards was the XF Saloon 2.0-litre i4 178bhp rear-wheel drive Portfolio with automatic transmission. In fact, they actually state it is 'great to drive with or without a caravan, and surprisingly practical.'
An attractive alternative to some of the German executive cars, the XF manages to successfully combine sophisticated aesthetics with comfort and practicality to create a car that is equally suited to motorway business trips or family caravan holidays in the countryside.
Mercedes-Benz GLE - 3,500kg
Here is a large luxury SUV, seating up to seven occupants, that manages to strike the perfect balance between elegance and practicality; the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Already securing a spot in our top 10 best premium cars for dogs an owners, the GLE is an excellent choice if you have a family and dogs and plan on heading away with the caravan. The towing capacity of 3,500kg also makes the GLE perfect for equestrians or other adventurous types with a boat.
As you would expect from an SUV in the Mercedes-Benz range, the interior is suitably exquisite. High-quality materials feature throughout, creating a relaxing and sophisticated ambience. Meanwhile, you will be greeted with state-of-the-art technology and safety equipment to further improve the overall driving experience.
Porsche Cayenne - 3,500kg
Various models are available in the Porsche Cayenne line-up and each version will tow up to 3,500kg, including the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model Cayenne E-Hybrid.
Combining a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor, the E-Hybrid can race from 0 to 62mph in 5.0 seconds; making it the second fastest in the Cayenne range, despite being the eco-friendly version. Up to 27 miles can be driven in pure electric mode, with zero tailpipe emissions.
At the opposite end of the scale to the PHEV is the Cayenne Turbo, powered by a mighty 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine producing 542bhp and 568lb ft of torque.
Each variant is perfectly capable of tackling off-road terrain and occupants can appreciate the spacious, plush interior, which also features in the Panamera. Dominated by a large crisp HD central screen, the cabin features high-quality materials; making it obvious you are in a luxurious Porsche SUV.
Volkswagen Touareg - 3,500kg
Another large and luxurious SUV with incredible pulling power is the Volkswagen Touareg, easily towing up to 3,500kg. This superb towing capacity makes the Touareg a great option if you need to tow cattle boxes, horse trailer or large caravans.
If you need plenty of storage the Touareg has a gargantuan boot that can swallow up 810 litres of luggage. Meanwhile, the interior offers quality materials and an ergonomic design for the driver.
You can choose between petrol, diesel or a plug-in hybrid powertrain; each accompanied by an 8-speed automatic Tiptronic gearbox and 4Motion four-wheel drive.
Gaining the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP rating, the VW Touareg is fitted with an array of safety equipment to keep the whole family safe during journeys.
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Volvo XC40 - 2,100kg
Winner of the 1,700 to 1,899kg Best Family SUV category at the 2018 Tow Car Awards, the Volvo XC40 is another SUV to add to the list of premium towing cars.
Compact yet heavy, the XC40 has a towing capacity of up to 2,100kg and is considered a sensible match for a wide variety of caravan sizes.
Over the years Volvo have built a sound reputation as a manufacturer with a line-up of cars that have a key focus on safety. This is highlighted again with the XC40 as it has been awarded the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Take a seat inside the XC40 and everyone will be comfortable with an adequate amount of head and legroom, even adults have plenty of space when sitting in the rear.
Aston Martin DBX - 2,700kg
Aston Martin is a brand renowned for its luxury range of cars, mainly consisting of Grand Tourers (GT) and sports cars. However, the Aston Martin DBX was launched as the British marque's first luxury SUV.
Infiltrating the SUV market was an intelligent move as Sports Utility Vehicles are a popular choice for many UK drivers. With the soul of a sports car, you are not just getting a large, practical vehicle; drivers can experience performance that is on par with some of the best sports cars. This is thanks to the magnificent 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine that produces an astounding 542bhp, taking the DBX from 0 to 62mph in just 4.5 seconds.
Achieving a spot in the article thanks to its impressive towing capacity of up to 2,700kg, the DBX is perfect for towing a horse trailer or a caravan. Challenging terrains, such as muddy fields, are no problem for the DBX due to its active all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution.
Tesla Model X - 2,268kg
Currently, there are not many electric cars available that can legally tow anything never mind a trailer with a braked weight of over 2,000kg. If you are wanting a battery electric vehicle (BEV) but will need one that is capable of towing, Tesla Model X has a towing capacity of up to 2,268kg.
In terms of seating, there will be both 5-seat and 7-seat models available in the used car market and you get plenty of stowage space thanks to the room available in the boot and under the front bonnet, seeing as there is no internal combustion engine (ICE) positioned there.
Benefits of owning a Tesla Model X are zero exhaust emissions and incredible acceleration; especially in the Performance version, which can reach 62mph from a standstill in 2.9 seconds - supercar territory.
Whether you go for the Long Range model or the Performance variant, they both have dual motors and all-wheel drive as standard. You can expect an all-electric range of up to 314 miles (WLTP) in the Long Range version, whereas the the range is slightly less in the Performance model at a still impressive 301 miles.
Find your perfect towing car at Stratstone
This article only contains 10 of the best premium cars for towing, we have plenty more that are capable in our extensive used car collection if none of the above are to your taste.
If you require some further inspiration for your next premium or luxury used car please take a look at our blog section, which is regularly updated with new buyer's guides.
