HAULER THAT FEELS SMALLER
THE QUESTION
We’re buying a caravan with a 3000kg tare weight and need a suitable SUV. We realise it must be a big 4WD, but the smaller the better. We’re happy buying used.
Tracy Zilm, email
ANSWER
It’s a minefield of weights and measures when it comes to towing legally and safely. Just because a 4WD’s tow rating is 3500kg doesn’t mean you can hitch a 3000kg caravan out back and off you go – we must consider maximum towball weight, the weight of everything you’re carrying and the gross combination mass of vehicle and van. At 3000kg without gas or water, your van’s already a very heavy rig. I’ll ignore the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series due to its sheer size and current ludicrous used prices.
CHOICES
2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3.0D LAREDO, ABOUT $32,000
The 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel Grand Cherokee remains a popular towing choice. It has a strong and responsive 184kW/570Nm engine with decent eight-speed gearbox, while claimed consumption of 7.5L/100km is excellent. It doesn’t feel huge like a LandCruiser 200 Series, but the trade-off is a smaller cabin: not a problem if there’s only two on board. Included are cruise control, dual-zone climate control, power seats and 8.4-inch touchscreen. It’s fivestar crash tested, but has little in the way of active safety. Regarded as a talented and smooth towing vehicle, it has a large 93L tank,
although service costs can sting. The 80,000km/four-year one is $1550 at Jeep, the following two are $565 and $1060.
2015 NISSAN PATROL TI Y62, ABOUT $60,000
Used prices for the Nissan Patrol are off the charts. The Patrol petrol V8 is thirsty – 14.5L/100km hurts – and that’s without a caravan. It’s a whopper – perhaps too big for your tastes – but it’ll make short work of a 3000kg van. With 298kW and 560Nm it tows with ease, is supremely comfortable and has smart tech to reduce roll in corners. You get a leather cabin with woodgrain trim, seven-inch screen, power seats, glass sunroof and massive 140L fuel tank – you’ll need it. The 100,000km/ five-year service is the big one at $1230, while the next two are $384 and $830.
2017 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SD4 SE, ABOUT $65,000
Can a four-cylinder really tow 3500kg? The Disco SD4 is rated thus, its 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel offering 177kW and 500Nm. Thanks to an aluminium construction it weighs only 2100kg and claims to use just 6.4L/100km, almost justifying that initial high purchase price. Is there enough grunt to tow your 3000kg van? It won’t be as effortless as the Jeep and Nissan, but with it unhooked the Discovery is a better drive. A luxurious cabin and independent air suspension make it the comfiest here. Services aren’t ludicrous but it only has a 77L fuel tank. As with the Jeep, reliability and repair costs are a concern.
WILDCARD
SSANGYONG REXTON ELX, $47,990 DRIVE-AWAY
While the others are used cars out of warranty, the Rexton is a brand-new SUV with a sevenyear factory warranty. Resale value will drop like a stone, though, and dealers are few. Positively, you get faux leather seats – heated, vented and power – a 12.3-inch screen with smartphone mirroring and generous safety kit including auto emergency braking, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Discovery aside, it looks the most modern and luxurious inside, but off-road it can’t match the others. The 2.2-litre diesel is good for only 148kW and 441Nm, so although it’s rated to 3500kg, it’ll struggle at times with your van. The 8.9L/100km fuel use is reasonable, as are services at $375 annually/15,000km.