Help with choosing a tow car

[GT83]

I was just looking to update our car, and can't decide between the volvo xc70 awd automatic diesel and the Audi a6 avant 2.0 tdi s line ultra s tronic. It will be used for towing a 4 berth, single axle caravan, but will also be an every day car. Taking all the following into account, running costs, comfort, tax, insurance and longevity of the engine and obviously towing.
Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks

 

[otherclive]

I was just looking to update our car, and can't decide between the volvo xc70 awd automatic diesel and the Audi a6 avant 2.0 tdi s line ultra s tronic. It will be used for towing a 4 berth, single axle caravan, but will also be an every day car. Taking all the following into account, running costs, comfort, tax, insurance and longevity of the engine and obviously towing.
Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks

I had a Gen.3 2010 XC70 D5 AWD auto. It towed a 1400kg van over Britain and southern France. Even drove it solo to Krakow via Prague and back via Saxony. A very refined car although its rear leg room isn’t as good as others I’ve had. I’m 6 ft 4 and could not sit behind my drivers seat. Also the luggage compartment isn’t the biggest. My follow on Superb 4wd estate had oodles more passenger and luggage space. But I enjoyed the Volvo and that engine is a real gem. Over 4 years no problems although several recalls on oil level sensing and as auxiliary belts nit cam belt. Fuel about 40 mpg solo. Superb did 50+ solo.

 

[RogerL]

As the Audi is S-tronic, it'll have a DCT transmission - some don't like them when towing - maybe the Volvo gets a DCT as well so you might be between a rock and a hard place.

Personally I prefer an old-school torque converter trasmission despite the inferior fuel consumption.

 

[otherclive]

The Volvo was a Geartronic auto box with torque converter. Very easy to manoeuvre at slow speeds and smooth. The Superb was DSG dual clutch auto and not nearly as smooth at close in manoeuvres but absolutely fine driving. I think the S tronic is a DSG variant. Need to drive any dual clutch auto especially at slow manoeuvring speeds such as parking.

 

[Jcloughie]

I had a Volvo V70. D3. 2013. Towed 1500kg. Fantastic tow car. The XC can only be better. But I never needed the 4 wheel drive. Also, the XC’s are harder to find. I found the D3 with 136 bhp to be adequate.

John

 

[birdman101]

There are different types of Automatics but for towing you cannot be the torque converter

 

[otherclive]

The OP hasn’t said what model year XC70 is being considered. My 2010 had a Aisin Warner torque converter auto box and was excellent, especially with the twin turbo D5 engine. But a bit later Volvo started to re jig engines/boxes and there was a D5 but with single turbo later piezo injectors which was claimed to be slightly more economical. Still a nice car though. Then not too sure but Volvo started to introduce smaller engines and 2WD drive and the dual clutch gearbox, Powershift. That gearbox featured on Mondeos too and was a dog. Certainly the changes affected some V70s, not sure if some were introduced in to the XC70 range.

 

[otherclive]

There are different types of Automatics but for towing you cannot be the torque converter

The “ horse owners friend” Subaru Outback or Forester with CVT make good tow cars. My two Foresters were very smooth and totally seamless when driving, and the turbo XT was a very nice tow car as with the turbo it had low down torque. Albeit both were very thirsty beasties.

 

[GT83]

The OP hasn’t said what model year XC70 is being considered. My 2010 had a Aisin Warner torque converter auto box and was excellent, especially with the twin turbo D5 engine. But a bit later Volvo started to re jig engines/boxes and there was a D5 but with single turbo later piezo injectors which was claimed to be slightly more economical. Still a nice car though. Then not too sure but Volvo started to introduce smaller engines and 2WD drive and the dual clutch gearbox, Powershift. That gearbox featured on Mondeos too and was a dog. Certainly the changes affected some V70s, not sure if some were introduced in to the XC70 range.

We're looking between a 2014 and a 2016 thanks