Family car that can tow

fits

The time is getting near that I replace my sorento. Not towing as much as i used to so am happy enough to get something with slightly less towing capability. 2tonnes should do it. Would also like awd/4wd but it is probably not a deal breaker. Looking at Volvo xc60 2.4 awd but would probably need to go to UK to get a decent example. Any other suggestions?oh and my preference is for automatic gearbox.

pete4130

Subaru Forester? Make sure the head gaskets have been done, depending on the year though. Good drive, 2.5L has good grunt, not fast by any standards but keeps pulling. Decent ground clearance, good for light off road work. Only thing is that its petrol. I get about 10.5L/100km from mine, mostly city driving. Can get over 500km on a tank on the open road.

Downside....expensive to repair.

fits

That was the first car I considered but what car review put me off it a bit. Think the Volvo would be a better bet .

_Brian

I wonder what something like a Skoda Octavia Scout would be like to tow?? I've thought about one myself but they are rare here in Ireland.
Wouldn't be as sexy as the Volvo or Subaru but should be reliable and cheaper ran than either.

fits

I actually sat in one a couple of weeks ago but wasnt totally enamoured by it. I took a superb estate for a test drive also which was a bit better, but didnt match the volvo for me at all.

fits

Head is wrecked with this. Really like the Volvo but shortage of used cars and question mark over its towing. 1.8 tonnes is capacity at best. Id prefer it to be over two. Also tried Audi q5. Lovely car but cant see it going into a field. Capacity is good at 2.4 tonnes. And land rover freelander which is much more a proper 4x4 which could handle everything but much less refined on the road. Major shortage of used cars for all of them.

Slideways

Avoid the Freelander like the plague.

It seems like you're kind of falling between 2 stools. Don't be put off about going to the UK to buy. I flew over a few years ago and picked up exactly what I wanted and couldn't find in Ireland at the time.

The Scooby would probably be my choice followed by the AWD Octavia in 2L diesel if you think it has a decent enough ground clearance. Of course you don't have the towing capacity with these

fits

I have heard the freelander is to be avoided alright. Shame, as it would suit us in many ways.

The octavia awd just isnt big enough for our needs Im afraid. I wouldnt trust it to tow.

It looks like we will go to UK for one. Now looking at a bigger 4x4 but minimum CO2 emissions possible to minimise VRT and annual tax bill. Probably around 2011 or 2012 mark. Touareg could be an option. Love the Volvo XC 90s but they fall into the 1200 euro tax band. Budget about 15-18k sterling and then €7-8k on top of that for vrt.

Slideways

For that money would you not pick up a Landcruiser?
I'm a bit out of touch with Irish prices though so maybe wishful thinking

fits

CO2 Emissions for landcruiser are 213 g/km. Would prefer a vehicle below 190 g/km (brings tax bill down from 1200 to 750 a year).

Slideways

For 10 euro extra a week you would have a very capable off road vehicle that can tow and drop the nippers off at school.

You will also have something that basically sells itself when you wish to change again..

fits

I know, we just cant stomach that tax bill. Its too much.

Slideways

Fair enough. Just for my own interests I had a look online, people are still asking daft money for them anyway

sticksman

How about an Audi Allroad A6? Though you'd probably have to head to England for a decent example also.

fits

Brilliant suggestion! Braked towing weight is 2.6 tonnes. Falls into Band D for tax! Thanks!

fits

VRT calculator says 9000 when corrected for CO2 (initially 12K!) Anyone know how accurate it is?

fits

The list...

Audi Allroad
Volvo xc60 (towing capacity low at 1.8 tonnes)
Volvo xc70 2.4 AWD (tows 2.2 tonnes)
Audi Q5 (tows 2.4 tonnes, brilliant but maybe too soft for occasional farm work, eg towing water trailers down through fields)
VW Touareg (vv big. but emissions are good in terms of taxing and VRT, good resale value)

also considering Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback.

Not so keen on the landcruisers and pajeros as am looking for some comfort. Also not really considering the Santa Fe or Sorento as Im not sure as to how well Korean cars age and I like to keep my cars a long time. My 06 Sorento is looking very worn now, although it has been very good to me generally.

TrailerBob

I'm not sure you'll find a vehicle that'll satisfy all of the requirements. You want over 2 ton towing, and comfort and reliability and low tax and not too big... (A touareg is too big?)..

The likes of a Q5 or Kuga etc will give you some, but not all. You've ruled out proper 4x4s, (they can be very comfortable if you have the right one). Bringing any of the others through fields with a bowser or horsebox will show their limitations, mostly because of tyres.

A Volvo XC with cross terrain tyres might be your best bet

fits

Never said the tuoareg was too big but its certainly bigger than what we were looking for at the start. It must be similar size to sorento.

Which of the proper 4x4s are comfortable? Passenger landcruisers are astronomical in price. Pajero really is a workhorse too in my opinion. And they are all going to be in the top tax band.

TrailerBob

When you're looking at a family car, then anything with a 3 litre will obviously be crazy tax. I've found my landcruiser very comfortable for the last 200,000 miles tbh, every bit as good as the comfortline passat I had before it, and probably better than Mrs.Bob's Kuga (if not as smooth to drive).

But as you say, they are pricey and tax is prohibitive. Agree on the Pajero, its not very refined.

I genuinely think the Volvo will come closest for what you want.

peasant

The VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4motion can apparently tow 2200-2500 kg braked and the BMW X3 2.0D should handle 2400 kg, both under 190 g CO2

How good they are in a muddy field ...probably not very

Slideways

peasant wrote: »

The VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4motion can apparently tow 2200-2500 kg braked and the BMW X3 2.0D should handle 2400 kg, both under 190 g CO2

How good they are in a muddy field ...probably not very

As soon as I saw your name I thought I would see VW as a suggestion although I was thinking a little older haha

coolbeans

Citro n C5 Estate. Huge inside, at least as reliable as anything else in your list and Citro n always had a good name for towing with the caravan crowd and to a lesser extent the horsey set who'd have wanted more off road ability. 2.0HDI

http://m.carzone.ie/used-cars/Citroen/C5-2.0-HDI-EXCLUSIVE-TOURER-160BHP-5DR-5/201214605360705810

peasant

Slideways wrote: »

As soon as I saw your name I thought I would see VW as a suggestion although I was thinking a little older haha

I'm actually driving a Pathfinder for the last two years now ...the
Syncro is history

fits

I'm sad to hear the syncro is gone. It was pretty cool! the new transporters are really nice too.

fits

Well I finally put a deposit down on an Audi Q5, although I went darn close on an xc90. It was just the best mix of practicality, running costs and towing capability. hope it was the right choice.