Which Gearbox for midsize SUV towcar?

[djidjip]

I'm looking into getting a 2019-2021 Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson to tow our 1300kg Dethleffs.
My friend who owns a car repair shops says forget about Petrol/Automaitc combo as the Gearbox is dual clutch /twin shift for both brands and not very solid even when solo. Says I should stick to Manual or go for Diesel/Automatic, because the Gearbox is way better.
Does anybody have any towing experience with mentioned models/generations?
I have 10 years of towing experience, mostly with a Kia Sorento, and I don't usually travel with the caravan for more than 2000km per year.

 

[birdman101]

With over 50 years towing the best motors have always been been Diesel Automatics. Had the Sorento and Santa Fe diesel autos for 22 years. But they are now no longer torque converter Automatics . Thus the reason I changed to Ford Kuga Automatic as up until the last of MK3 Diesels they retained a torque converter.. I have the Kuga 2.0 Ecoblue AWD auto which will pull your caravan effortlessly as the same weight as our present caravan giving me up to 38 mpg towing and between 47 and 53 mpg solo depending on terrain.

 

[borderbilly]

I have a 68 plate sportage manual 2.0 diesel and tow a lunar venus. I prefer manual over automatic. It's each to their own.

 

[Challenger]

I've been a diesel fan for almost 25 years now, and will never go back to petrol. I got my first automatic three years ago . What a revealation !
Towing or solo I never find myself in the 'wrong' gear.

 

[otherclive]

I've been a diesel fan for almost 25 years now, and will never go back to petrol. I got my first automatic three years ago . What a revealation !
Towing or solo I never find myself in the 'wrong' gear.

I moved from a Skoda Superb 4wd auto DSG diesel estate to a Subaru Forester XT petrol CVT. which for towing was the equal of the Skoda, although it’s fuel consumption was well below that of the Skoda towing or solo. But fuel consumption isn’t a big issue for me; within reason.

 

[trevormonty]

DSG don't like crawling with heavy trailer , especially reversing up a hill.

 

[otherclive]

DSG don't like crawling with heavy trailer , especially reversing up a hill.

My Superb had that problem as our drive required a reverse and right hand turn on a slope. Mover was used as car struggled.

 

[Dustydog]

My Superb had that problem as our drive required a reverse and right hand turn on a slope. Mover was used as car struggled.

That’s what put me off the Audi A6 All Terrain. I had read elsewhere the DSG wasn’t good for manoeuvring a caravan.
Did you find the DSG better or worse than a manual?

The Touareg TC auto is one of the best I have had. The old Mk 1 Sorento auto was TC but lacked the numerous gears we are used to today!

And for the OP diesel for me.

 

[RogerL]

That’s what put me off the Audi A6 All Terrain. I had read elsewhere the DSG wasn’t good for manoeuvring a caravan.
Did you find the DSG better or worse than a manual?

The Touareg TC auto is one of the best I have had. The old Mk 1 Sorento auto was TC but lacked the numerous gears we are used to today!

And for the OP diesel for me.

The Audi A6 transmission varies - the S-tronics have 7-speed DSGs but the T-tronics have 8-speed torque converter type.

 

[otherclive]

That’s what put me off the Audi A6 All Terrain. I had read elsewhere the DSG wasn’t good for manoeuvring a caravan.
Did you find the DSG better or worse than a manual?

The Touareg TC auto is one of the best I have had. The old Mk 1 Sorento auto was TC but lacked the numerous gears we are used to today!

And for the OP diesel for me.

During normal driving the DSG was excellent but for manoeuvring in and out of parking spots it wasn’t as smooth as a TC,CVT or manual. When pitching the van I tended to use the mover being conscious of the DSG being a clutch based auto and not being great in reverse under load. Even in stop start traffic I drove it more like a manual and trying to resist crawling. The DSG started to exhibit a vibration that the diagnosticians couldn’t fathom out. One reason I sold it for a CVT Forester which was chalk and cheese and very smooth in all modes.

 

[trevormonty]

Work had VW Caddy van (1.4 turbo with DSG). The engine was why I bought Vitara (different engine but similar power), these small turbo engines with loads of torque <2000 makes for effortless driving. Power delivery of VW could be little sharp which is partially why I didn't like DSG. TC auto on Vitara helps to smooth out large torque surges in low RPMs.

Most of time DSG was seemless and I didn't notice.

 

[djidjip]

Thanks for all the insight. It looks like there are no horror stories around dual clutch, but I there are no success stories for the small petrol engines either, so I'll probably go back to looking for a bigger diesel option.

 

[trevormonty]

Thanks for all the insight. It looks like there are no horror stories around dual clutch, but I there are no success stories for the small petrol engines either, so I'll probably go back to looking for a bigger diesel option.

Toyota RAV4 hybrid is rated for 1500kg, with bullet proof drive train and excellent economy when not towing. Used prices are coming down now that supply of new vehicles has caught up with demand. Don't be put off by asking price negiotate hard and walk away if need be.

If serious about a RAV4 do long (2-3hr) test drive. My butt didn't agree with the seat after 1.5hr, friend had similar experience.

Mazda Cx5 2.5 AWD is also another option, rated for 1800kg, has stand TC auto with excellent reliability. Only downside is more thirsty than RAV4.
There are also higher spec 2.5 turbo versions but lot more expensive.

 

[otherclive]

Toyota RAV4 hybrid is rated for 1500kg, with bullet proof drive train and excellent economy when not towing. Used prices are coming down now that supply of new vehicles has caught up with demand. Don't be put off by asking price negiotate hard and walk away if need be.

If serious about a RAV4 do long (2-3hr) test drive. My butt didn't agree with the seat after 1.5hr, friend had similar experience.

Mazda Cx5 2.5 AWD is also another option, rated for 1800kg, has stand TC auto with excellent reliability. Only downside is more thirsty than RAV4.
There are also higher spec 2.5 turbo versions but lot more expensive.

The Toyota RAV 4 hybrid I have only has a 800kg braked load towing specification. The AWD version (more expensive) has 1500kg specification.

 

[Beachball]

We use own a Volkswagen Tiguan Tdi 190 4Motion Sel Dsg 5Dr it was great for towing our caravan , never had any problems with our DSG we kept it for 4 years + .
We have now got a Ford Tourneo Connect 2.0 Tdi Ecoblue Auto 7 speed 5 door it will be 2 years old in May i have enjoyed driving this car so far .

 

[Woodentop]

What about CMC 2022 Towcar of the Year - a Skoda Karoq, and in our case a 2WD 2L diesel. Tows like a dream, does north of 60mpg when solo, and can hit mid 30's towing at a reasonable speed. I am told the 4WD diesel is even better although not quite as economical to run.

 

[xtrailman]

I would never buy a diesel again now I have a hybrid with a conventional type automatic and AWD,

I tow 1650kg with my sportage.
A much better car than my 190ps diesel AWD Dsg tiguan.

 

[Dustydog]

I would never buy a diesel again now I have a hybrid with a conventional type automatic and AWD,

I tow 1650kg with my sportage.
A much better car than my 190ps diesel AWD Dsg tiguan.

Torque converter?

 

[otherclive]

Torque converter?

Think the electric motor does that job.

HEV Gearbox

www.kiaownersclub.co.uk

 

[Dustydog]

Think the electric motor does that job.

HEV Gearbox

www.kiaownersclub.co.uk

So what’s a “conventional type automatic and AWD”?
Lost on me I am afraid

 

[xtrailman]

It’s a automatic with no TC as the electric motor does that job.

 

[otherclive]

So what’s a “conventional type automatic and AWD”?
Lost on me I am afraid

What tends to be referred to as a “ conventional automatic” is like yours with its torque converter. But with the advent of hybrids and electrification things have changed. Not sure why AWD has crept into the discussion but below is an explanation of the differences between AWD, 4WD and 4x4, terms which in some discussions are incorrectly used.

What is the difference between AWD, 4WD and 4x4?

What is AWD and what is the difference between AWD and 4WD? Find out in our article, where we will also explain 4x4 driving.

www.adrianflux.co.uk

 

[Dustydog]

What tends to be referred to as a “ conventional automatic” is like yours with its torque converter. But with the advent of hybrids and electrification things have changed. Not sure why AWD has crept into the discussion but below is an explanation of the differences between AWD, 4WD and 4x4, terms which in some discussions are incorrectly used.

What is the difference between AWD, 4WD and 4x4?

What is AWD and what is the difference between AWD and 4WD? Find out in our article, where we will also explain 4x4 driving.

www.adrianflux.co.uk

I know that but.
I hadn’t realised Xtrailman had an “auto electric hybrid? I don’t fully appreciate how a petrol hybrid only uses electric motors not a gearbox🙃 Looking at Kia’s hybrid sportage spec I read This
Do you know what the last transmission described as 6 auto AT? New one on me🤪

 

[otherclive]

There are different types of auto hybrid and the technology is not fixed. Rather than try and explain the different types this article gives a good overview.

https://www.synergycarleasing.co.uk/guides/do-hybrid-cars-have-gear-boxes/

For the Sportage PHEV the power from the electric motor goes through a six speed gearbox. A different hybrid approach to other makes.

First Drive: Kia Sportage PHEV 2022 Review | GRR

Kia's plug-in hybrid version of its popular Sportage is here...

www.goodwood.com

 

[Dustydog]

There are different types of auto hybrid and the technology is not fixed. Rather than try and explain the different types this article gives a good overview.

https://www.synergycarleasing.co.uk/guides/do-hybrid-cars-have-gear-boxes/

For the Sportage PHEV the power from the electric motor goes through a six speed gearbox. A different hybrid approach to other makes.

First Drive: Kia Sportage PHEV 2022 Review | GRR

Kia's plug-in hybrid version of its popular Sportage is here...

www.goodwood.com

Thanks.Clive
I will read your attachment later. Does that mean the 6 speed uses a DSG, TC or centrifugal clutch or what have you?