Tow Car Awards 2026: Best for towing up to 1500kg
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 buy for towing up to 1500kg...
Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line S AWD
KEY FACTS: List price £44,195 Best price £44,195 Kerb weight 1733kg 85% match 1473kg Towing capacity 1510kg Towball limit 100kg
Freshly updated with a new look, better tech and more power, the Kia Sportage takes top spot in this class. Whatever quality you value most in a tow car, the Sportage delivers.
Stability is top of our list, and the Sportage is very secure at high speeds and in an emergency swerve. Even in blustery conditions it tracked straight and true, keeping the caravan on a short leash.
The power output of the full hybrid Sportage has gone up from 212bhp to 235bhp, which makes for brisk acceleration even when towing. The 30-60mph time of 7.9sec is the second quickest in this weight division. Such performance makes for easy overtaking and helps you maintain speed on hilly roads.
Talking of hills, starting off on a gradient is a doddle. The electronic parking brake holds car and caravan securely, and the car pulls away with no sign of strain. Our testing took place in dry weather, but in the wet the car’s four-wheel drive system would come into its own.
Leave the caravan behind and the Sportage continues to impress. Although it’s not as much fun as a Cupra Formentor, the Sportage balances taut handling with a composed and comfortable ride. It’s a quick car in solo driving and easy to drive smoothly.
The interior is solidly made and roomy. Plus, it offers plenty of leg room front and rear (although the panoramic glass sunroof does steal some rear head room).
There’s lots of luggage space, too. True, the Sportage can’t match the Volkswagen Passat’s capacity, but our practicality testers still found room for most of their camping gear. And they were happy that the reversing camera gave a good view of the tow ball.
Given its size, performance, and equipment, the Sportage is keenly priced. The GT-Line S that we had on test is the range-topping model, and comes with a head-up display, wireless phone charging, a Harman Kardon stereo, and a suite of driver aids.
Running costs should be low, with an official average fuel economy figure of 44.1mpg. Kia has a strong reputation for reliability, and there’s a seven-year warranty to fall back on if something does go wrong.
OUR RATINGS: Towing 5/5 Solo driving 4/5 Practicality 3/5 Buying and owning 5/5 Overall 5/5
Best of the rest in this class
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 239 Ultimate 2WD 4/5
Volkswagen Passat 1.5 eTSI 150 R-Line DSG 4/5
Cupra Leon Estate 1.5 e-Hybrid 204 Shadow Edition DSG 3/5
Cupra Formentor 1.5 e-Hybrid 204 V2 DSG 3/5
Vauxhall Astra Plug-in Hybrid 195 GS 3/5
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
