Choice of three new cars

[oliverm]

I need to get a new car and I want to get something that's a reasonable tower, but as we only use our caravan occasionally I'm keen to not spend too much on the aspects that make a good full time tower.

My choices are;

Citroen Grand Picasso 1.6 (not sure what version or year)
Kia Sorrento 2.2
Kia Sportage 1.6
Ford S Max 2 litre

Does anyone have any comments or fancy making any suggestions? I'm sure that they will all tow a caravan - ours is an Elddis Ashington - but are there any words of warning particularly? I'm sure the Sorento would make a great tower but it's also the most expensive when it comes to running costs.

Olly

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Olly

Unfortunately you don't give us enough information to enable us to specifically identify the models of car or caravan you are dealing with.

Such details are important as even the same basic car with a different trim level can have different towing specifications, so engine type and power output are vitally important as is the year of manufacture.

However I do understand the Elldis probably has an MTPLM in the region of 1495Kg, which means to be compliant with the industry recommendation of not exceeding 85% of of kerbweight means you will be looking for a towcar of at least 1758Kg kerb or unladen weight (these are slightly different but not really significantly so). I suspect the Citroen would be too light, and the 1.6l engine may not be the best option even for occasional towing.

This raises another concern. If you passed your driving test after 1 Jan 1997, then you may be running foul of the terms of you cat B entitlement. The entitlement only allows you to drive a car and trailer with combined Maximum Authorise Mass (MAM) of up to 3500Kg The problem here is a car of 1785Kg unladen weight is likely to have a payload capacity of 300Kg or more which give the car and MAM of 2058Kg. when added to the caravans MAM (MTPLM) of 1495kg gives a combined MAM of 3553Kg. This exceeds the cat B entitlement. To tow this out fit you must have Cat Be or B+e

The Kia's are both good cars, and I know they have a avid following, but the vast majority of caravanners never need the 4x4 systems. these add complexity and cost. if I were making the same choice I suspect I would go for the S max with diesel automatic.

Reasonable economy, flexible space, generally cheaper to maintain, and a relaxing drive.

 

[oliverm]

Cheers prof. Thanks very much.

 

[NigelHutson]

Based on previous experience of towing with the cars you mention, unless you NEED 4X4, then I'd go for the S-Max. It was a Class winner a few years ago at the Tow Car Awards.

 

[woodsieboy]

We had the S max, and it was one of the worst cars we have ever had,endless electrical problems,,the local Ford dealership were also appalling.As a consequence I refused to consider any Ford products for our company vehicles.The Ford owners forums also showed regular electrical faults and What Car also reported electrical unreliability. From your list I would go with KIa, not least because of the warranty support.

 

[tj_4]

I am bias on this as I drive a Kia Sorento 2.2 KX-2 auto, but I have not always driven a kia. The Kia warranty is good, and in my opinion so is the car, but you need to look at your overall requirements. I tow a 1800kg caravan so weight was important. As some of the cars you are looking at are much lighter I assume weight is not the issue with your caravan. Cars are pesonal and to a certain extent you need to go with your heart! I am impressed with this car.

The 4x4's you mention are not permenant 4x4 so some of the usual arguements are not relevent, but to have the grip when it is needed is highly recomended. When towing they will be a normal 2 wheel drive.

If it helps with your decision I achieve the following mpg: - 27 towing, 34 around town, 46 on a steady run. We go away every weekend with the caravan and my total combined mpg is 30.6.
This is the best I have ever achieved. Previously towed with Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Vauxhall Omega, Ford Galaxy 2.8, Ford Galaxy 4x4, Ford Granada 2.0, Vauxhall Carlton, Ford Sierra, Morris Ital!

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Tj
You make a very valid point concerning the part time 4wd systems. It does offer that additional facility when the going gets tough, but the vast majority of caravanners here and in Europe patently manage very well with just 2wd. The switch-able systems may help on the fuel economy side, but the equipment is still there, which needs servicing, and the additional complexity of the systems will have an impact on reliability and costs and the extra weight does have an impact on fuel economy. Now I'm not claiming all 4wds will cost more to run than an equivalent 2wd , but in general that is the case.

I must also stress that I am not anti 4wd, but I do believe our choices in vehicles should be driven more by our needs rather than our desires for fashion or status.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

Hello Tj
I do believe our choices in vehicles should be driven more by our needs rather than our desires for fashion or status.

Well said. We've recently down-sized from a Vectra to an Astra as we will only be towing about 20% of the mileage and have just retired. The van/car ratio is less than 80%, so hope for good overall mpg.

 

[xtrailman]

If you like driving buy the ford, if you don't buy the Sorento, but the Sorento must have SLS.
I wouldn't bother with the other kia as it only has a 80kg nose weight limit.
The newer ford will be 90kg limit.

 

[MrBell]

I am bias on this as I drive a Kia Sorento 2.2 KX-2 auto, but I have not always driven a kia. The Kia warranty is good, and in my opinion so is the car, but you need to look at your overall requirements. I tow a 1800kg caravan so weight was important. As some of the cars you are looking at are much lighter I assume weight is not the issue with your caravan. Cars are pesonal and to a certain extent you need to go with your heart! I am impressed with this car.

The 4x4's you mention are not permenant 4x4 so some of the usual arguements are not relevent, but to have the grip when it is needed is highly recomended. When towing they will be a normal 2 wheel drive.

If it helps with your decision I achieve the following mpg: - 27 towing, 34 around town, 46 on a steady run. We go away every weekend with the caravan and my total combined mpg is 30.6.
This is the best I have ever achieved. Previously towed with Jeep Cherokee, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Vauxhall Omega, Ford Galaxy 2.8, Ford Galaxy 4x4, Ford Granada 2.0, Vauxhall Carlton, Ford Sierra, Morris Ital!

Hi there
When I was looking a good tug, I looked at what I wanted and what was the best deal around.
I went with a Vauxhall Antara 2.2 turbo diesel! It's great tug, Iv done thousands of miles with it and it's never missed a beat. Yes I know it's a SUV but it's a very capable tug and has lots of kit for a smaller price to your Kia's or hundai's.
Whenever been on campsites last year I keep getting people coming up to me asking about the car as there isn't many on the road.

 

[scouse272]

hi olly
have you considered an hyundai santa fe,virtually the same as kia sorrento but a bit cheaper.i got one last year after 4 shoguns.it tows my adria 612up with ease and gives me 23/25 mpg while doing it,not bad for an auto pulling 1700kg

 

[otherclive]

I cannot believe that a difference in 10 kg on nose weight should be a deciding factor in making a choice of tow car. Such things as the cars suspension, tyre size, CoG, tow ball overhang will influence the towability far more. Also the major factor is undoubtedly the way the caravan is loaded, the cars load and driver behaviour in conjunction with car v van weight ratio. We seem to be forgetting that not so long ago 75kg was considered a very high nose weight! Some cars with good nose weights do much worse than cars with lower nose weights in the various tests.