new towcar dilema - Mondeo or Passat?

[Big S]

I am fortunate in my job that I have recently qualified for a new lease car with my employer. The list of cars available are however limited and the most suitable cars available for towing are the new Mondeo and Passat.

I am restricted to a 1.8 TDCi (125 bhp) Zetec or Edge model Mondeo (hatchback or estate) or a Passat 1.9 Tdi (105 bhp) BlueMotion (again hatchback or estate).

I am in a dilemma as to which car to go for. (horrible dilemma, I know!!)

I currently tow a van with an MTPLM of 1365kg and was wondering if the 1.8 engine in the Mondeo is sufficient to tow the van. I currently tow with a 54 plate Passat with no problems but I really like the look of the new Mondeo. We are away for around 4 weeks per year plus a number of weekends and in total this year have towed around 2,000 miles (France included).

Any existing Mondeo or Passat drivers out there who can help sway me either way as to resolving my dilemma?

 

[nrdonnelly]

Big S,

As you say, nice problem!

Based on the two engines you have available, I'd opt for the Mondeo 1.8 personally. It's not quite as lively as the 2ltr, but it's a great drive and has more than enough poke for a 1365kg van. You might want to check the max tow of the Passat too. I'm not sure if Bluemotion versions have a reduced towing capacity.

Hope that helps

Regards

Nigel Donnelly

Editor

Practical Caravan

 

[Angus1]

I personally don`t like the Mondeo as I think it is a ugly as sin ( personal opinion ), and run a Passat 140 Sport Estate ( don`t need need an estate and never have, but the arse end of a Passat saloon is just sooo lardy....(IMO)).

However, given a straight choice between the two I would definately go for the Ford, as the 105 bhp engine in the Passat is an utter nail, and surely taller gearing in the `bluemotion` version will make it even worse for towing.

Just hope you get a Ford dealer that wont treat you as leper if something goes wrong.

 

[BOINGBOING]

big s, i drive a passat 1.9 tdi 105 bhp and tow a bailey pageant 5 berth series 5,2005 model.tow great,34 mpg towing and 55 to 60 mpg solo.used to have a mondeo 2.0 115 bhp diesel but swapped when lease ran out back to vw,why,just look at the service you get from ford,they treat you like idoits,never can sort out problems on the spot whereas vw really look after you.

kerbweight of passat is 1424-saloon,van comes in at 1386 should i load it to he brim

go for the vw,at least it will reach 100,000 miles without anything falling off,trust me

 

[Janbo25]

I will be towing with a VW Passat 2.0TDI Highline (140bhp) and we have just bought a Sterling Europa 495 with a MTPLM of 1480kgs is this a suitable match and how will it tow?

 

[Herv]

I will be towing with a VW Passat 2.0TDI Highline (140bhp) and we have just bought a Sterling Europa 495 with a MTPLM of 1480kgs is this a suitable match and how will it tow?

Janet,

Should you have asked yourself this question BEFORE buying the van?

 

[Herv]

I will be towing with a VW Passat 2.0TDI Highline (140bhp) and we have just bought a Sterling Europa 495 with a MTPLM of 1480kgs is this a suitable match and how will it tow?

Actually someone has said exactly the same thing to you in another post. Please post only once...

Good luck with your towing - it should be fine as long as you don't loaded the van up to the MTPLM.