Replacement Tow Car Diesel v Petrol

[Chrisgr31]

I am contemplating changing my 55 plate diesel Hyundai Sante Fe that is used for towing our caravan. Owned it since new and it has given good service over the last 130k of miles, but its getting to an age where expensive bits keep need replacing.

The caravan weighs 1,500kg so I need a decent sized replacement and preferably a 4wd as its helpful to get it moving on a wet field. I am looking for a car a couple of years old.

I know Hyundai's aren't really PH style cars but his one has served me well so a replacement Hyundai is a serious option. Investigation shows some of the Tuscons have the correct towing ability and all the Sante Fe's do.

I am pondering though whether I should go diesel or petrol. Traditionally diesels have had a better reputation as tow cars, however diesel appears to be regarded as a real environment killer these days. So should I be looking for a petrol replacement or diesel?

The car will also be used for daily mileage and a chenge in my role at work probably means an increase in mileage to around 20-25k a year.

[sparkythecat]

Unless you buy something with a stonking great engine, diesel is much better than petrol for towing.
Torque is what you need.

[stevemcs]

For towing you need a diesel. There is nothing wrong with Kia or Hyundais either, unless you like big shiny showrooms and to be on first name terms with the service department, in which case consider something from the VAG group.

[Mr Tidy]

I'd definitely be looking for a diesel for towing - especially if I was doing over 20K miles a year!

[SuperPav]

Don’t even contemplate a petrol for that kind of use. Towing will be much more effortless with a diesel and with that amount of mileage you’ll also be saving a decent chunk in fuel bills.

[anonymous-user]

If you want to keep up the non-PH tradition, how about the SsangYong Rexton (Diesel):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Plate spinner]

Diesel still has its place - towing and long distance motorway hacks IMO.

[HustleRussell]

>20k miles per annum plus 4WD and towing 1.5t is definitely sufficient justification for Diesel in my opinion.

[donkmeister]

I'd say diesel for your usage. The only potential issue I can think of would probably be a non-issue but...

As you are a caravanner I assume you tour in France, and no diesels are allowed in a crit'air 1 ULEZ. I'm not aware of anywhere in France going to CA 1 yet, and if it got that bad you would change your destination anyway (caravan!).

If you are buying new you'll be getting a Euro6 so will be able to go anywhere you are likely to want to go.

[HustleRussell]

donkmeister makes a good point which is requires your attention if you are buying used.

[Mouse Rat]

Plate spinner said:

Diesel still has its place - towing and long distance motorway hacks IMO.

Agreed. This is why I'm going back to Diesel after long relationships with EV's and Hybrids

[Chrisgr31]

280E said:

If you want to keep up the non-PH tradition, how about the SsangYong Rexton (Diesel):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I have pondered a Ssang Yong although would probably want to look more locally than Staffordshire! The issue I have is that the nearest dealer is 25 miles away.

When my wife changed her car a couple of years ago we pondered whether we should change mine and we’re on holiday in Hampshire at the time and popped in to the Ssang Yong dealer Think Cars in Bransgore and I have to say they were extremely attentive and helpful even though we ended up replacing her car with a very PH Dacia! She went for the Logan it’s a bit like driving a ship with similar steering accuracy but the boot is huge!

[Krikkit]

280E said:

If you want to keep up the non-PH tradition, how about the SsangYong Rexton (Diesel):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You would have to be a certified lunatic to buy that hideous POS instead of a well-made Korean or Japanese product.

[Dog Star]

Krikkit said:

280E said:

If you want to keep up the non-PH tradition, how about the SsangYong Rexton (Diesel):
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You would have to be a certified lunatic to buy that hideous POS instead of a well-made Korean or Japanese product.

My dad went from 23 years of Landcruisers to a new Rexton a couple of years ago (a replacement Landcruiser was chiming in at over 60k !!!) - I was a bit dubious when he announced this, I will admit. However I really cannot fault it in most respects; it's the top spec one in a dark met blue (very nice paint quality), tinted rears glass and looks really smart, nice looking car. Diamond cut alloys that still look new (I'd be on my second Mercedes set under warranty by now), nice interior that is very well specced (full climate, front and rear heated seats although the leather wouldn't cut it in a German car)). Old fashioned ladder frame however this means it'll tow 3500kg and there aren't actually that many things that can do that these days unless you want monstrous expense or some comedy JLR product. 7 speed auto box is the same (made under licence I imagine) as that in my last few Mercs, engine is their own new unit, not the old Merc 5 cylinder thing).

As I mentioned - the seat leather isn't the lovely stuff you get in more expensive stuff (although I suspect it's probably more durable), the infotainment thing is poor (some Pioneer unit) and the dealers are few and far between. Having said that apart from servicing it hasn't ever needed a dealer.

I've changed my opinion on them quite a bit - the name is a bit naff, but there's certainly nothing wrong with the looks or build quality whatsover (they're Korean - I expect great quality). Is it possible to even buy a bad car new these days?

[Chrisgr31]

Dog Star said:

I've changed my opinion on them quite a bit - the name is a bit naff, but there's certainly nothing wrong with the looks or build quality whatsover (they're Korean - I expect great quality). Is it possible to even buy a bad car new these days?

I suspect they are the Wetherspoon of the car world. Ie offer a product that is good value for money. However unlike Wetherspoon they are not on every street corner which makes servicing more challenging although I guess the solution is the local independent who services my Hyundai

[stevemcs]

Try buying parts for the Rexton, you struggle to get brake pads outside of the dealer network

[dhutch]

SuperPav said:

Don’t even contemplate a petrol for that kind of use.

Why not? You can use a petrol for both the millage the OP is doing, and for a 1500kg caravan if you want to, without any issues as far as I know!

I have a 1200kg race box (diy built square box, not a BJT Shuttle type) and have only had petrol tow cars and not mad-sized engines.

Cheaper to buy, cheaper to repair/maintain than their diesel counterparts, which takes a lot of fuel saving to pay back. Plus your hands dont stink every time you fill up.

Obviously a diesel car would work too, but with turbocharging the shape of the power curve isn't as different at the bottom end as most would suggest.


Daniel

[dhutch]

Chrisgr31 said:

The caravan weighs 1,500kg so I need a decent sized replacement and preferably a 4wd as its helpful to get it moving on a wet field. I am looking for a car a couple of years old.

I am pondering though whether I should go diesel or petrol. Traditionally diesels have had a better reputation as tow cars, however diesel appears to be regarded as a real environment killer these days. So should I be looking for a petrol replacement or diesel?

The car will also be used for daily mileage and a change in my role at work probably means an increase in mileage to around 20-25k a year.

OP, what sort of mileage/frequency are you doing with the caravan? Once a year or short distances, or 3-4 trips to south France a year?

[Chrisgr31]

dhutch said:

OP, what sort of mileage/frequency are you doing with the caravan? Once a year or short distances, or 3-4 trips to south France a year?

Not huge quantities. Summer holiday to wherever the wife tells me we are going so usually around 600 mile round trip. Then another couple of trips a year of around 200 mile round trips so probably 1,000 to 1,200 miles a year. Of the remainder about 5,000 is going to be pottering locally,

Leaving about 14,000 miles which will be mainly motorway mileage for work.

[Dog Star]

stevemcs said:

Try buying parts for the Rexton, you struggle to get brake pads outside of the dealer network

First place I looked (my "go to" place for brakes) - I'd hardly suggest that Mintex are an esoteric brand to get hold of...
https://www.brakeparts.co.uk/shop/Ssangyong/Rexton...