Best tow SUV/MPV for 15k?
Discussion
Asking for a friend here, as I am struggling with ideas.
He is looking for a tow car that can tow an absolute minimum of 1.7T, however prefers it to be around 2.5T for stability (it will be towing a big caravan).
It needs to be big and diesel powered for 15k max.. so am struggling a bit here because of the towing requirement.
Yeti, Tiguan, XC60 sized vehicles are to small for him, and he doesn't want a car/estate.
All I can think of is Land Rover (although unreliable?) or something like a Duster (but towing capacity I think is ruling that out).
Does anyone have any ideas of something that will be reliable, not to old or leggy on miles for 15k max?
If it helps currently he has a Chrysler Grand Voyager, but it is woefully unreliable hence the need to change.
Thanks all.
EDIT: He ideally wants something quite new, so premium brands are usually ruled out in the price bracket.
He is looking for a tow car that can tow an absolute minimum of 1.7T, however prefers it to be around 2.5T for stability (it will be towing a big caravan).
It needs to be big and diesel powered for 15k max.. so am struggling a bit here because of the towing requirement.
Yeti, Tiguan, XC60 sized vehicles are to small for him, and he doesn't want a car/estate.
All I can think of is Land Rover (although unreliable?) or something like a Duster (but towing capacity I think is ruling that out).
Does anyone have any ideas of something that will be reliable, not to old or leggy on miles for 15k max?
If it helps currently he has a Chrysler Grand Voyager, but it is woefully unreliable hence the need to change.
Thanks all.
EDIT: He ideally wants something quite new, so premium brands are usually ruled out in the price bracket.
Edited by NickCW on Friday 13th October 09:35
Off the top of my head there must be plenty of BMW X5, Merc ML, VW Toureg, Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 type vehicles on the market in that price range. Can't see why he's struggling to find one.
Maybe look at the Mitsubishi Shogun / Outlander if he'd prefer more of a workhorse type of vehicle. Perhaps the Nissan X-Trail?
Maybe look at the Mitsubishi Shogun / Outlander if he'd prefer more of a workhorse type of vehicle. Perhaps the Nissan X-Trail?
Edited by IanCress on Friday 13th October 09:24
Thanks for the suggestions all, with regards to the BMW/Mercedes I think the problem is perceived running costs with a premium badge on something out of warranty.
I probably should have mentioned he ideally wants something relatively new, if it has any warranty left on it that is a big bonus - but I feel needle in a haystack!
Good should on the Mitsubishi's, will have a look now..
Ssangyong he looked at, but not sure what towing capacity is - will check.
I probably should have mentioned he ideally wants something relatively new, if it has any warranty left on it that is a big bonus - but I feel needle in a haystack!
Good should on the Mitsubishi's, will have a look now..
Ssangyong he looked at, but not sure what towing capacity is - will check.
smashie said:
NickCW said:
Ssangyong he looked at, but not sure what towing capacity is - will check.
3500kgHe’s very impressed with it for towing as they’ve got a German Fendt caravan (heavy, man!) and reckons it tows much better and more refined than the 4.2 TD Landcruiser Amazon he just got rid of.
I bet you could pick up a two year old one for 15k with several years still to run on the warranty.
Also - Landcruisers tow up to 3500kg.
If he wants a towing limit of 2.5T then the car he chooses will be relatively expensive to run.
As above, the Santa Fe will have reasonable running costs and be newer than the equivalent BMW, Volvo or Merc.
I used to tow with an XC90 and it was superb but bloody expensive to run.
However it was the 07 with 185bhp and high tax.
The 200bhp engine is £305 tax and should do 35 mpg as apposed to £515 and 28 mpg.
An X5 is 245bhp, £280 and high 30's mpg.
What about a Lexus?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Cheap running costs but it will be 6 years old.
As above, the Santa Fe will have reasonable running costs and be newer than the equivalent BMW, Volvo or Merc.
I used to tow with an XC90 and it was superb but bloody expensive to run.
However it was the 07 with 185bhp and high tax.
The 200bhp engine is £305 tax and should do 35 mpg as apposed to £515 and 28 mpg.
An X5 is 245bhp, £280 and high 30's mpg.
What about a Lexus?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Cheap running costs but it will be 6 years old.
I can vouch for the Touareg, I tow a 1700kg twin wheeler caravan with an '08 2.5TDI version, not the quickest car in the world but a great towcar with 3500kg limit. The car feels the same whether the caravans on or not and the build quality seems much better to that of a pathfinder or similar it also shares the same chassis etc of the cayenne, as you can imagine it is quite thirsty but because it's so heavy the MPG is less effected when towing. I had a CR-V previously which when towing you would get less then 15 mpg and about 32-35 when not, however the touareg gets about 30mpg and about 22 when towing. Main thing to look out for is wheel bearings, they seem to eat them for some reason.
I tow a 3.5 ton trailer a lot and use either a Range Rover, a Touraeg and even a Bentayga.
In order of preference the Bentayga is easily the best then the Touraeg, For home use I use a 2010 Santa Fe at upto 2.5 ton and that copes well and off road has managed 3.5 ton across a field. The Santa Fe is way better for towing than the Rav 4's and Honda CRV's that went before.
For you friends budget the Santa Fe is a fair option and in my opinion it has to be a 4WD.
In order of preference the Bentayga is easily the best then the Touraeg, For home use I use a 2010 Santa Fe at upto 2.5 ton and that copes well and off road has managed 3.5 ton across a field. The Santa Fe is way better for towing than the Rav 4's and Honda CRV's that went before.
For you friends budget the Santa Fe is a fair option and in my opinion it has to be a 4WD.
NickCW said:
Asking for a friend here, as I am struggling with ideas.
He is looking for a tow car that can tow an absolute minimum of 1.7T, however prefers it to be around 2.5T for stability (it will be towing a big caravan).
It needs to be big and diesel powered for 15k max.. so am struggling a bit here because of the towing requirement.
Yeti, Tiguan, XC60 sized vehicles are to small for him, and he doesn't want a car/estate.
All I can think of is Land Rover (although unreliable?) or something like a Duster (but towing capacity I think is ruling that out).
Does anyone have any ideas of something that will be reliable, not to old or leggy on miles for 15k max?
If it helps currently he has a Chrysler Grand Voyager, but it is woefully unreliable hence the need to change.
Thanks all.
EDIT: He ideally wants something quite new, so premium brands are usually ruled out in the price bracket.
1. Why do you think a Duster is a big car? It has charm, but it’s a compact crossover vehicle built out of Renault hatchback platform and Nissan X-Trail running gear He is looking for a tow car that can tow an absolute minimum of 1.7T, however prefers it to be around 2.5T for stability (it will be towing a big caravan).
It needs to be big and diesel powered for 15k max.. so am struggling a bit here because of the towing requirement.
Yeti, Tiguan, XC60 sized vehicles are to small for him, and he doesn't want a car/estate.
All I can think of is Land Rover (although unreliable?) or something like a Duster (but towing capacity I think is ruling that out).
Does anyone have any ideas of something that will be reliable, not to old or leggy on miles for 15k max?
If it helps currently he has a Chrysler Grand Voyager, but it is woefully unreliable hence the need to change.
Thanks all.
EDIT: He ideally wants something quite new, so premium brands are usually ruled out in the price bracket.
Edited by NickCW on Friday 13th October 09:35
2. Stating Land Rover as unreliable is somewhat of a dumb and naive statement.
If it’s a caravan that goes into fields. Then a 4wd tow Vehcile is likely to be the best bet. A Disco3/4 is going to offer size, comfort and ability.
However there are plenty of American 5 seat pick up trucks that would do a very good job as a tow vehicle. £15k might not bet a diesel one though.
Suspect a big Toyota or Shogun wouldn’t be a bad option either to consider.
Silverarm said:
I tow a 3.5 ton trailer a lot and use either a Range Rover, a Touraeg and even a Bentayga.
In order of preference the Bentayga is easily the best then the Touraeg, For home use I use a 2010 Santa Fe at upto 2.5 ton and that copes well and off road has managed 3.5 ton across a field. The Santa Fe is way better for towing than the Rav 4's and Honda CRV's that went before.
For you friends budget the Santa Fe is a fair option and in my opinion it has to be a 4WD.
Epic lurking.. In order of preference the Bentayga is easily the best then the Touraeg, For home use I use a 2010 Santa Fe at upto 2.5 ton and that copes well and off road has managed 3.5 ton across a field. The Santa Fe is way better for towing than the Rav 4's and Honda CRV's that went before.
For you friends budget the Santa Fe is a fair option and in my opinion it has to be a 4WD.
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