Hitch your wagon to a star car

DRIVE

CARAVANNING is one of the most popular leisure activities in Scotland, with thousands of us hitching up and heading out on to the open road each year for staycations. However, towing mobile holiday homes really requires a car that is fit for the job.

We’ve picked out six of the best that are available right now.

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

This one’s a bit of a no-brainer. The Discovery makes for one of the best tow cars on sale today and that’s down to a few crucial factors. It has space for seven, which means you can bring the whole family along for the ride, and it’s available with a variety of torquey engines that are ideal for pulling a caravan. In addition, the Discovery is available with towing-specific assistance systems.

SKODA KODIAQ

This is available with seven seats, can be equipped with four-wheel-drive and has a range of strong diesel and petrol engines. However, it does this for a considerably low price. It’s also very spacious inside, and has a solid feel to it – though lacks the more expensive materials used in premium rivals.

KIA SORENTO

The Sorento has recently been updated, with an aim to bring it more into line with premium rivals. This sees better in-car technology, as well as better interior plastics and materials. It’s also grown over the older model, meaning more space in the cabin. It’s

As Scotland gears up for the holiday season, we look at six of the best cars for towing caravans, including the Kia Sorento, below left, and the Skoda Kodiaq, below right

rated to be able to tow 2.5 tonnes on a braked trailer, while a self-levelling rear-end has been fitted as standard, too.

SSANGYONG REXTON

A utilitarian design will appeal to those who prefer four-wheel-drives rough-and-ready, while plenty of standard equipment will please eager button-pushers. A Mercedessourced 2.2-litre diesel engine provides more than enough grunt for towing duties, though the ladder-frame chassis does mean it falls behind rivals in terms of overall ride comfort.

JAGUAR I-PACE

The new I-Pace is available with a tow bar, and thanks to 395bhp and a healthy 696Nm of instantly available torque, it can be an exceptionally good tow car. Power is sent to all four wheels, meaning plenty of traction. Jaguar claims the I-Pace will do up to 298 miles on a single charge and, while we’re unsure how much this would be affected by a caravan, this could offer low-cost holidaying.

VOLVO XC90

The big Volvo XC90 is an ideal choice for those who want a reliable and stylish tow car option. Its interior is sleek and wellspecified, while its exterior exhibits plenty of Scandinavian-inspired style. However, there’s more to the XC90 than looks alone. It’s available with a hybrid powertrain, which is ideal for caravan owners, thanks to its impressively brisk performance and low running costs.