Which hybrid and electric cars can tow?

Reader discovered too late that his new hybrid car isn't able to have a tow bar fitted. He asks which hybrid and electric cars can tow

tow bar

I recently bought a diesel-electric DS 5 Hybrid and didn’t realise that I wouldn’t be able to fit a tow bar to it. Having since been in touch with several tow bar fitters and manufacturers, I now know that many hybrid cars shouldn’t tow caravans.

scroll for more

I wanted to fit a tow bar so that I could mount my Thule cycle carrier to it, but in the DS 5 Hybrid’s case, the AdBlue tank uses one or more of the tow bar fixing points.

To add insult to injury, I have been informed that the rear spoiler on my DS 5 is too weak to hold a bike rack and the roof can’t take the weight of our two e-bikes, so I can’t carry them that way, either.

Our only option appears to be to switch back to a petrol or diesel car. Alternatively, can you suggest any hybrids that can tow?

Jim Steele

What Car? says…

Some hybrids and electric cars are deemed unsuitable for towing by their manufacturer, because they’re already relatively heavy, due to their battery packs, and the extra weight of a trailer would put too much strain on their components and electric range. And even those that are allowed to tow often have a lower limit than their conventionally powered equivalents.

Claire Evans

Updated: 1 July 2019

Car reviews

View all new car reviews

Best cars for towing 2018

However, you still have a number of choices. Regular hybrids that are suitable for towing include the new Toyota RAV4, which can tow an unbraked trailer weighing up to 1650kg, as well as the Toyota C-HR and Prius (725kg). Suitable plug-in hybrids include the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (1500kg), Volvo XC90 T8 and XC60 T8 (2100kg) and Audi Q7 e-tron (2800kg).

scroll for more

Our pick is the XC90 T8; it’s our 2019 Plug-in Hybrid of the Year and won the hybrid category at the 2018 Tow Car Awards.

Read our full guide to the best hybrid and electric cars for towing

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Buy a new car with What Car?

Before you buy, visit What Car?’s new car deals section.

We have discounted deals on most new cars on sale, so you're never far away from finding a new car deal in your area.

It's all based on Target Price, which is the price we think you should pay based on research by our team of mystery shoppers, and the best discounts they can achieve.

Electric car advice

Electric car news and features

Electric cars