Tow Car Awards 2026: Best electric car for towing more than 1400kg
If you’re looking for a great tow car that will also be enjoyable to drive solo, you need one of our Tow Car Awards winners. Here we look at the best electric buy for towing more than 1400kg...
BMW iX3 50 xDrive M Sport
KEY FACTS: List price £61,255 Best price £61,255 Kerb weight 2360kg 85% match Above max tow Towing capacity 2000kg Towball limit 80kg
Electric tow cars are improving at an impressive rate. And there’s no better example of this than the BMW iX3.
It weighs well over two tonnes and is approved to tow up to 2000kg. That covers almost all caravans. What’s more, the iX3 will tow them extremely well.
At 60mph, car and caravan remain rock solid. Adding another 10mph to that speed at the test track made no difference; the iX3 continued to track straight and true.
In the lane change test, it handled all three speeds with great composure. In fact, it handles more like a sports saloon than a high-up SUV.
The iX3 is quick as well as stable. With a 30-60mph time of 4.8sec while towing, it is easily up to speed by the end of a motorway slip road. And, if anything, that understates just how quickly this electric car gathers pace; there’s rarely any need to put your foot down hard.
In solo driving, the iX3 is every bit as capable – as you’d expect of our reigning Car of the Year. The suspension is forgiving of potholes around town, but taut and composed on country roads.
True, you hear a little wind and road noise at speed, but otherwise the interior is hushed and calm.
The unusual dashboard design features a screen that runs the full width of the dashboard rather than a conventional driver’s display. It sounds odd but you quickly adjust to it. Plus, it’s complemented by a huge touchscreen that’s more intuitive to use than the infotainment systems in many competitors.
Passenger space is very generous indeed, with limo-like leg room in the back, while the boot swallowed all but one item of our practicality testers’ holiday luggage. However, the maximum towball download is on the low side for such a heavy car with a two-tonne towing capacity.
Range and the practical challenges of recharging with a caravan are concerns for many caravanners who might otherwise consider going electric. Still, when we tested the range while towing, the iX3 managed a respectable – if not outstanding – 152 miles.
OUR RATINGS: Towing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 3/5 Buying and owning 4/5 Overall 5/5
Best of the rest in this class
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate AWD 4/5
BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring 4/5
BMW iX xDrive45 M Sport 4/5
Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD 4/5
Hyundai Ioniq 9 427 Calligraphy AWD 4/5
Volkswagen ID Buzz GTX 4Motion 7-seat 4/5
Skoda Enyaq 85x Sportline 4/5
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