WHILE AUSTRALIANS TEND TO tow larger and heavier caravans than their UK equivalents (and, of course, over greater distances), the results of the recent 40th Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year competition will still be of considerable interest to local caravanners, especially since most of the winners are available locally.
There were some real surprises in the results, with a number of category winners that we rarely see being pressed into towing duty in Australia, and some EVs as well.
The Škoda Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4×4 SCR has won this year’s overall trophy and also triumphed in the Caravan Weight 1400kg-1500kg Category.
The UK industry’s longest standing towcar testing awards saw the Škoda Karoq take the title honour ahead of the entire field. Its performance highly impressed the judges around UTAC’s Millbrook Proving Ground’s demanding and unique track.
The Škoda Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4×4 SCR has long been a favourite with families looking for a practical capable SUV. The 2023 edition, a recently refreshed model complete with new styling and technology and a 2.0-litre diesel engine with four-wheel drive, claimed Class and Category victories as well as the overall title.
Twenty-four entrants were put into caravan weight categories – rather than being listed by price – to make it easier for buyers to know which cars could tow their caravans (and making the results more relevant to local buyers). Cars were entered into classes using their 85 percent kerbweight figure or by their towing limit, whichever was the lower. The competition had six weight classes, two Family Towcar categories as well as Electric and Plug in Hybrid categories.
The complete winners’ line-up:
Caravan Weight under 1200kg: Volkswagen ID.5 Style 77kWh Pro Performance 204PS (not available in Australia)
The brand-new ID.5, the coupe version of Volkswagen’s ID.4 SUV, impressed with its super-smooth power delivery, effortless torque, composed road manners and good stability on slow and fast roads.
Caravan Weight 1200kg-1300kg: Škoda Enyaq iV 80X Sportline (not available in Australia)
The Enyaq iV offers a masterclass in current EV technology, exhibiting a smooth and ultra-refined character when towing. An additional electric motor on the front axle makes the 80X four-wheel drive, and the extra traction while hitched helped both on twistier roads and the hill start.
Caravan Weight 1300kg-1400kg: Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack 2.0-litre TDI 4MOTION 200PS 7spd DSG
The vehicle impressed with its practical boot, great rear visibility and competent driving manners. The 2.0 TDI is a great engine for towing with bundles of torque and the DSG automatic box shifts smoothly.
Caravan Weight 1400kg-1500kg / Family Towcars / Overall Winner: Škoda Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4×4 SCR
The Škoda Karoq wowed the judges. When hitched, the Karoq is composed and well-mannered, the engine gives useful mid-range punch to maintain swift progress and the four-wheel drive system means there’s plenty of traction at all times. Arguably just as importantly, with its big boot, quality cabin and roomy rear space, this car makes for an excellent unhitched daily driver.
Caravan Weight 1500kg-1700kg: Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin
The XC40 immediately scores well for being an EV with a high towing weight capability. Sparkling acceleration, tidy driving dynamics, a roomy and well-laid out interior and a spacious boot, this is a worthy class winner.
Caravan Weight over 1700kg: Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 8-Speed Tiptronic S
The Porsche Cayenne scored high marks in virtually every area – including interior comfort, technology, practicality and boot space. In the driving department, the E-Hybrid uses a 250kW (335bhp) 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 mated to a 100kW (134bhp) electric motor to give stunning performance.
Electric Vehicles: Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor
Polestar impressed during its first ever appearance at this competition. Its interior is a delight to sit in, while the Google-based information system is simple to use. The Polestar 2 is astonishingly quick even when hitched, it’s composed, quiet and razor sharp to drive.
Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: Volvo V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6
A supremely comfortable towcar and primed for long journeys. Performance is impressive and the interior is a masterpiece in style, comfort and intuition.
Large Family Towcars: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Multivan Style 2.0-litre TSI 204PS 7spd DSG
On the road and hitched-up, the front-wheel drive Multivan was impressively well-mannered. It offers van-like space with a car-like driving experience.