Tow Car Awards 2025: 1700-1999kg

Kerb weight 1854kg 85% match 1576kg Max towing weight 2400kg Towball limit 100kg

You get almost everything with the latest Skoda Kodiaq. The old car was roomy; the new one is roomier. There’s more kit than before, and the new model is more efficient.

This large seven-seat SUV makes an excellent tow car, especially in the higher-powered diesel 4x4 form we tested. With 190bhp and 295lb ft of torque, it comfortably handles any sensibly matched caravan, although its automatic gearbox could be more responsive.

Once up to speed, the Kodiaq tows serenely. Stability is excellent at 60mph, and it can go 10mph faster with no issues. What’s more, the Kodiaq mastered the lane change test at all three speeds, never feeling as if the caravan was about to take charge. A stopping distance of 10.4m from 30mph further impressed us.

Meanwhile, hill starts were handled with ease; the electronic parking brake held car and caravan still, then released smoothly. The car pulled to the top of the one-in-six slope without fuss, and it’s reassuring to know that four-wheel drive will help in tricky conditions.

The Kodiaq strikes a well-judged balance between alert handling and a forgiving ride. SportLine models come with adjustable suspension so that the driver can alter that balance as preferred.

Inside, the Kodiaq is very roomy for five occupants, and the rearmost seats are fine for older kids or adults on short journeys. There’s lots of useful storage throughout.

With the third row folded away, the boot easily swallowed a full complement of holiday luggage. A tidy drop-down tow bar and a clear rear-view camera further boosted the Kodiaq’s practicality score.

For such a large and heavy SUV, running costs should be reasonable, with the car officially returning 45.0mpg economy. While many plug-in hybrids have better official figures, they’ll struggle to match the consistent economy of the Kodiaq’s diesel on a long towing journey.

Our ratings

Towing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 4/5 Buying and owning 5/5 Overall 5/5

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