Done before but best economical car for towing?

g16

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Planning on doing my b+e test imminently so looking to upgrade my car so I can tow. Needs to still be pretty economical as will be used for commuting and I'm used to my Ford Focus. It will be towinga 505 and one horse so total approx 1500kg but looking at capability of 2000kg minimum. Planning on doing quite a bit of towing so also conscious that I don't want to be too hard on the car.
Been looking at the sportage, Tiguan and kuga. Did also consider going one higher and getting the sorento? Budget is £10,000 and do want a diesel.
 
We have a Honda CRV, most have tow weight of 2000kg. We get around 44 mpg, diesel 2.2 engine and I find it very easy to drive.
 
Unfortunately can't afford either to buy or run a shogun ��
I've heard a little about the Honda, that's another to add to the list �� Think I'll need to go test drive some
 
I have a Sportage, I tow an Ifor 401 and a 540kg cob, so roughly about 1600kg all together, it's *ok* but to be honest I'd rather have something heavier if I could afford it. The car itself is fine day to day not towing, badly needing to get it serviced, only averaging about 32mpg at the moment!
 
Hi

You sound like me this time last year! I had a Clio and then did my B+E test and wanted a tow car, but it had to be economical as well. I didn't have the same budget as you (mine was about £2k) so after viewing a few SWB Pajero's, I couldn't get the quality I wanted so went with a 2004 Sorento and it's fantastic! I love it - tows two horses in a bateson no problem. Lovely to drive, loads of space and looks smart too.

I've had saddle racks and bridle hooks added to the boot too so it all looks really smart :D

My mum uses it during the week as her commute is a 10 minute whizz up the A63, where as I'm town driving so I use her Scenic to keep costs down.

We both love driving it and it isn't costing us a fortune to run.

I think with the Sorento's it needs to be pre 2010 to get a decent towing limit :)

Good luck with your test!
 
I tow a 506 and usually 1 but occasionally 2 horses with my Hyundai Santa Fe and it is brilliant. I used to have a Landrover Defender which was OK then got an Isuzu Trooper which was better but like my Santa Fe best even though it is only a 2.2. Also much more economical than the other 2.
 
Vauxhall antara would fit your bill - unfortunately they are no longer in production but they do fit your criteria i've done a lot of towing with mine! Tiguan boot is tiny in comparison and kuga more expensive for what seems the same car on paper.
 
I would definitely recommend a Mitsubishi Shogun. Mine is fantastic to drive and reliable and is 3.2L DID Manual and supposedly does 45ish miles to the gallon - it does not do that doing city driving but otherwise pretty good and does about 180 miles on £30 diesel.

In terms of towing i tow a 505 usually with one horse and you can barely feel it on the back of the car.
 
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