Tow Car Awards 2026: Best for towing up to 1300kg

KEY FACTS: List price £38,935 Best price £33,999 Kerb weight 1474kg 85% match 1253kg Towing capacity 1500kg Towball limit 80kg

The new Volkswagen T-Roc arrived just in time for this year’s tests. And after our judges spent time with the vehicle, it became clear that VW had set a new benchmark for small tow cars.

Well, relatively small. The T-Roc is 122mm (almost five inches) longer than the model it replaces, which benefits both rear-seat space and luggage room. Buyers expecting to need the larger Tiguan would do well to try the T-Roc before spending the extra.

If those same buyers have a lightweight caravan to tow, they will be particularly impressed. The T-Roc over-delivers as a tow car, especially when it comes to stability. Our drivers were happy at the legal limit (and beyond at the test track).

In the emergency lane change test, the T-Roc was secure at all three speeds. It stopped well, too, needing just eight metres to come to a halt from 30mph while towing a Swift Basecamp.

Hill starts can be a struggle in some smaller tow cars, but the T-Roc’s turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine and auto gearbox made them easy in the dry weather we had for our test week. It pulled away smoothly on the challenging 1-in-6 slope, although some drivers noted a hot smell after completing the test.

The same 1.5-litre engine sees service in many of VW’s larger SUVs and estate cars, so it copes well with a light car and caravan combination. Accelerating from 30-60mph, as you might when joining a motorway, took 11.4sec.

Without a caravan, meanwhile, the T-Roc is a pleasure to drive, especially with the optional adaptive chassis control (£765) fitted to our test car. This is a car that rides comfortably, yet the sportier suspension settings make for an entertaining drive.

Our practicality testers also scored it highly. The drop-down tow bar makes hitching up easy with no reaching under the bumper for half-hidden electrics or distant breakaway points. They were also pleased that a space-saver spare is available in place of a repair kit. However, the 475-litre boot didn’t have room for every item in the testers’ load of camping gear.

The price is high for a car of this size, but R-Line trim is well equipped, running costs are low, and sizeable discounts are already available.

OUR RATINGS: Towing 5/5 Solo driving 4/5 Practicality 4/5 Buying and owning 5/5 Overall 5/5

Best of the rest in this class

Hyundai Kona Hybrid 141 Ultimate 4/5
Nissan Qashqai MHEV 140 N-Connecta 3/5
Peugeot 5008 Plug-in Hybrid 195 GT 3/5
Citroën C3 Aircross Hybrid 145 Max 3/5
BYD Seal U DM-i Design 2/5
Hyundai i20 1.0T 90 Tech Line 2/5
KGM Actyon Hybrid K50 2/5
KGM Torres Hybrid K40 2/5

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