Decent petrol car for the occasional towing?

weisses · 07-01-2025 08:24PM #1

Hi all,

Driving diesel for the past 6 years but not doing the mileage anymore (which is an understatement) 30kms a day now compared to 150 km daily, hence is the reason to go for a petrol car, I do however use a trailer regularly for some light towing (hay etc). budget is 15-20k for a reliable petrol car with proper ground clearance and enough power to do these things. Trying to do a bit of research but it is a head scratcher. Any input is welcome … thanks.

bazz26 · 07-01-2025 08:53PM

Dacia Duster?
https://www.carsireland.ie/3875995?journey=Search

monseiur · 07-01-2025 09:16PM

Check out the Hyundai Tucson - they come in 1.6 L (petrol) Expect to pay €17k. to €18k. for a good one owner 2018 reg. with lowish mileage. Buy one without a tow bar 😉

weisses · 07-01-2025 09:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030883#Comment_123030883

Yes .. looking at the duster Thanks, the Vitara seems a good option as well, Im just not up to speed with what is recommended these days, did some research into the whole puretech debacle, and went into the rabbit hole, going by the various sources they all have something different negative to say about various brands and techs, at the end of the day one is afraid to buy anything at all.

weisses · 07-01-2025 09:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030945#Comment_123030945

Thanks, guess its 1.6 I should be aiming for as a minimum

Flinty997 · 07-01-2025 09:25PM

Found this, which is for Caravans. But a few petrol yokes on it. You can get those engines in other cars.

Esel · 08-01-2025 12:52AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030983#Comment_123030983

Found what? 😃

Flinty997 · 08-01-2025 01:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123031732#Comment_123031732

Found boards with it's jumping around makes it impossible to post a link.

BrianD3 · 08-01-2025 11:50AM

The choice of car will be influenced by how heavy the trailer is (in terms of maximum authorised mass and actual weight when loaded) and what licence you have. For instance, if you have a B licence and the trailer is plated to MAM 1500 kg, you won't be able to legally tow it with a large saloon, even with the trailer unladen. Whereas you might be able to tow it with a smaller car.

Dr_Colossus · 08-01-2025 01:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123030955#Comment_123030955

The family member has a Suzuki Vitara going on 4 years (bought new) and uses it with a double axel trailer and hasn't any complaints. He had a Daihatsu Terrios before that for years and finds the fuel economy of the Vitara much improved and I think mentioned an avg consumption of 5.0l/100km.

weisses · 08-01-2025 02:48PM

The amount of diesel cars vs petrol is just astonishing, surely a lot of them are not driven properly.

Flinty997 · 08-01-2025 02:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123033251#Comment_123033251

Not entirely sure what one thing has to do with the other..

weisses · 08-01-2025 03:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123033271#Comment_123033271

Its based on the assumption and some real life experience that people are not using a diesel car the way its best for the engine imo. Short trips to local schools or town, and just the occasional longer trip. Most dealerships I checked have a ratio of 10 to 1 or worse in diesel vs petrol. Are clogged DPF filters the only big thing that can go wrong on diesel cars being used for mainly short trips ?

Flinty997 · 08-01-2025 03:44PM

I think is a bit of lottery.

You are right that we're over sold diesel from 2008.

Tabnabs · 08-01-2025 04:26PM

Another one to throw into the mix is the Mazda CX5, quite a few 2L petrols available.

weisses · 08-01-2025 05:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123033734#Comment_123033734

Thanks,

Did some research on the CX 30 2ltr petrol ..seems a decent enough car … less ground clearance though

Flinty997 · 08-01-2025 06:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123031732#Comment_123031732

Found it again...

https://www.practicalcaravan.com/buying-guides/10-best-cars-for-towing-caravans-new-models#VolkswagenMultivan14eHybrid218PSStyleDSG

Only interesting because they have a few petrols in there.

ELM327 · 08-01-2025 06:15PM

I'm biased as I recently bought a cheaper used one myself for towing aswell and the Outlander PHEV could be a good left field option?

weisses · 08-01-2025 06:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123034220#Comment_123034220

Yes ... need to go for the bigger battery version though found on the later models

ELM327 · 08-01-2025 06:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123034273#Comment_123034273

I didnt as it was half the price for the 2015!
But yes, in the earlier models you may need to use the save/charge buttons when towing heavy loads. Not a big issue.

monseiur · 08-01-2025 10:01PM

Seat Ateca has good ground clearance but a tad under powered at 1.4L in petrol

If you want a bit of class & power consider a Mercedes-Benz C class 2.0 L petrol, a nice automatic one in blue is up on Done Deal - it's in Derry asking price £15,000 (sterling) mileage is 63,000 miles

Decent petrol car for the occasional towing?

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