Tow Car Awards 2026: Best for towing more than 1700kg
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 more than 1700kg...
BMW 5 Series Touring 530e M Sport
KEY FACTS: List price £61,190 Best price £51,999 Kerb weight 2140kg 85% match 1819kg Towing capacity 1800kg Towball limit 100kg
Our heaviest weight class is usually won by an SUV, but not this year. Instead, the superb BMW 5 Series Touring estate takes top honours in 530e plug-in hybrid form, thanks to its combination of towing ability, driver appeal, and practicality.
With the petrol engine and electric motor working together, the 530e has 299bhp and 332lb ft of torque. That makes for easy overtaking while towing, with a 30-60mph time of just 7.4sec.
Such performance isn’t just useful for nipping past dawdling traffic. Holding speed on hilly roads is easy, and at 60mph on the motorway the BMW is hardly stretching its legs.
If anything, though, the 5 Series lays down an even bigger marker when it comes to stability. It was absolutely secure travelling 10mph beyond the legal limit at the test track, with no side-to-side motion even while slowing down.
In an emergency lane change, meanwhile, you really appreciate the benefit of choosing a low-slung estate car over a tall SUV. No matter how much speed we were carrying, the 5 Series stuck to its line and kept the caravan firmly under control. Well weighted and precise steering only adds to your confidence behind the wheel.
There’s no four-wheel drive, but that didn’t stop the car completing the hill-start test with ease with caravan in tow. And the 530e is just as impressive as an everyday drive. Its ride is tightly controlled but never harsh, keeping both keen drivers and their passengers happy. With a kerb weight of more than two tonnes it doesn’t change direction like a sports car, but it’s more rewarding to drive than any other heavyweight tow car, except for the Porsche Cayenne.
Many journeys can be completed on electricity alone, thanks to an official electric range of 59 miles. That will help keep running costs low for anyone with a home charger.
The interior is roomy and well made, allowing five to travel in comfort. What’s more, it’s good to see there’s just as much room for luggage in the plug-in hybrid model as the regular petrol; boot capacity is 570 litres with the rear seats up and 1700 litres with them down.
In M Sport spec, the 530e Touring has a list price of £61,190. However, at the time of writing, the keenest deals available through our website could save you more than £9000.
OUR RATINGS: Towing 5/5 Solo driving 5/5 Practicality 5/5 Buying and owning 4/5 Overall 5/5
Best of the rest in this class
Land Rover Discovery D350 Gemini 5/5 (Best luxury SUV)
Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T Hybrid 239 Ultimate 4WD 4/5
Audi Q5 TDI 204 Quattro S line 4/5
Porsche Cayenne V6 4/5
Ford Ranger 2.3 PHEV Wildtrak 3/5
GWM Poer300 Double Cab 3/5
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Double Cab Auto 2/5
Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 Diesel 48V Invincible AWD 2/5
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