WHICH FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE TOW CAR IS THE BEST FOR ONLY £15,000?
Dear Alex,
I need to replace my Volvo V70 D3 Estate with something of a similar size. I tow a braked trailer weighing about 1,500kg, which sometimes involves a muddy surface, so 4x4 capability is important. However, I only need this a few times a year, so can you suggest the most economical options fuel- and tax-wise?
– LW
Dear LW,
It’s tough to put an accurate value on your V70 without details of its age or mileage, as part-exchange values range from as low as £2,000 for an early, high-mileage car to about £10,000 for one of the latest, well-maintained examples. So let’s assume a value of around £5,000 for your part-exchange; if it’s a tidier example, you should get more.
So for a budget of £15,000 my first suggestion is a Kia Sorento. Sticking to the widely accepted 85 per cent rule (only towing something that is 85 per cent or less of your car’s kerb-weight) you would need a car weighing more than 1,725kg, which means a fairly chunky 4x4; the Sorento should be more than capable.
Granted, this third-generation Sorento is a bit of a plodder, although it exudes solidity and dependability. It also has an excellent reputation for reliability. A combined fuel consumption of 42mpg means its running costs shouldn’t break the bank, either.
I found a 2015 2.2-litre example with only 59,000 miles and a full history for £14,990, in luxurious KX-3 specification – meaning you get a panoramic roof, leather upholstery and heated seats. So while the interior materials won’t be quite as plush as your Volvo’s, it should still feel upmarket.
Alternatively, try a Skoda Kodiaq. It is lighter than the Sorento, so it won’t feel quite as stable when you’re towing, but it’s still heavy enough that it should be perfectly safe to haul the sort of loads you mention. And it will feel more agile than the Kia without a trailer attached.
A 2.0 TDI SE 4x4 with a manual gearbox should prove easy to drive and trouble free, although the interior will feel somewhat utilitarian compared with your Volvo.
But with an impressive average fuel economy of 51mpg, this is the one to choose to keep running costs to a minimum. I found a 2017 example with 77,000 miles for sale at a Skoda main dealer, which means it gets a two-year warranty, for £14,490.
Or why not try a hybrid? The Lexus RX450h’s dual petrol-electric power train makes it heavy, which gives it a high towing capacity, so it will make short work of hauling your trailer.
There’s one thing to be aware of, however; the RX’s nose weight is low, so you’ll need to make sure your trailer doesn’t carry too much weight at the front, which could pitch the RX’s nose up and reduce the effect of the steering.
If that won’t be a problem, you get to enjoy the RX’s gloriously smooth, quiet progress and its sonorous 3.5-litre V6 engine. Economy should be about 44mpg – although don’t forget most hybrids run on cheaper petrol fuel, rather than diesel.
The 2014 examples you’ll find for £15,000 are too old to benefit from Lexus’s excellent extended warranty, but with a very reasonable 75,000 miles the Luxury model I found should be about as dependable as a car like this gets. And with a leather-lined interior and a plethora of equipment, it should feel suitably plush.
2025-02-07T07:35:08Z