Towcar of the Year 2007 - 1575-1724kg

Our third weight class brings a diverse selection of capable estates, larger MPVs and versatile 4x4s.

Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion
List price   £22,757
Target Price    £21,323
Kerbweight    1609kg
Max towing weight    2000kg
Towball limit    85kg

We knew that the VW was a fine-driving family car with plenty of room for passengers and enough luggage space for a fortnight's holiday. We didn't anticipate how good the Passat's towing ability would turn out to be, however.

Most of our week's testing took place in the dry, but when it did rain the Passat's four-wheel drive put it streets ahead of its front-wheel-drive rivals. The hill-start test, in particular, underlined its advantage. The electric handbrake held the outfit firm with just the push of a finger, whereas some rivals forced us to almost pull the handbrake free of its mountings to stop the outfit rolling back. Then the VW simply drove away with the minimum of wheelspin.

The 2.0-litre engine delivered better low-down pull than the Honda Accord's unit, but couldn't match that car's refinement. It was a fraction quicker though, and was one of the few cars to tow in sixth gear at 60mph.

Choosing the 4Motion version of the Passat takes the edge off fuel economy, dropping by around 5mpg to 42.2mpg. For an all-year, all-weather towcar, though, that has to be a sacrifice worth making.

Buyer's File
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Other contenders
Mazda 6 Estate 2.0D (141bhp) TS2
List price    £19,270
Target Price    £17,698
Kerbweight    1595kg
Max towing weight    1600kg
Towball limit    75kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary A practical cabin and a stable tow, but the handbrake is too weak.

Honda Accord Tourer 2.2 i-CTDi EX
List price    £22,355
Target Price    £21,222
Kerbweigh    1602kg
Max towing weight    1500kg
Towball limit    75kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary
A fine load-carrier, but struggled on the hill and is rather pricey.

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2.0 HDi Exclusive
List price   £21,700
Target Price    £20,651
Kerbweight    1620kg
Max towing weight    1500kg
Towball limit    70kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary Too softly sprung to be comfy for towing, but this is a fine MPV.

Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi Columbia
List price    £21,395
Target Price    £19,596
Kerbweight    1640kg
Max towing weight    2000kg
Towball limit    100kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary A little weak through the lane change, but otherwise impressive.

Mazda 5 2.0D Sport
List price    £18,270
Target Price    £17,142
Kerbweight    1645kg
Max towing weight    1400kg
Towball limit    75kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary A stable towcar, but the boot is rather small with five on board.

Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi ES
List price    £21,405
Target Price    £20,426
Kerbweight    1660kg
Max towing weight    2000kg
Towball limit    100kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary Good to drive on its own, a solid towcar, and extremely practical.

Nissan Qashqai 2.0 dCi Visia 4x4
List price    £17,799
Target Price    £16,787
Kerbweight    1653kg
Max towing weight    1400kg
Towball limit    100kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary Capable in many ways, but hampered by a low towing limit.

Kia Carens 2.0 CRDi LS Auto (7st)
List price    £16,995
Target Price    £15,996
Kerbweight    1681kg
Max towing weight    1100kg
Towball limit    75kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary Shame about the minimal space and that crippling towing limit.

Mitsubishi Grandis 2.0 DI-D Warrior
List price    £23,704
Target Price    £21,941
Kerbweight    1690kg
Max towing weight    2000kg
Towball limit    85kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary Not cheap, but a capable, practical MPV, and a likeable towcar.

Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0 DI-D Warrior
List price    £22,004
Target Price    £20,968
Kerbweight    1690kg
Max towing weight    2000kg
Towball limit    100kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary Well equipped and frugal, but not as stable or swift as the best.

BMW 335d Touring SE
List price    £34,562
Target Price    £32,114
Kerbweight    1720kg
Max towing weight    1800kg
Towball limit    75kg

Towing   
Solo   
Practicality   
Buying & owning   
Verdict   
Summary Superb performance and great fun, but impractical and pricey.

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