We towed a 1400kg mtplm with a 110hp vw sharan which gave excellent stability but pulling power was only adequate, go for the 130hp 1.9 or the 140 hp 2.0 diesels if you can
Hubby runs a VW Transporter for work,had it three years
done 40,000 miles with no probs.
Only thing he says he would change is engine size.
He has a 1.9td 80hp,evidently very underpowered when towing.
Tried a 2.5,102hp the other day of a friends and is now a bit green.Goes like a train and 35mpg,pulls a senator t/a
with absolutely no probs.
Both vans are 99 models,Ours has done 161k,our friends is a caravelle with just over 200k.
Both have been 100% reliable.