Recommendation for car for towing horsebox and commuting?

ljk2400 · 12-01-2025 11:28PM #1

I currently own a Hyundai santa fe and use this to tow an ifor williams 505 with a 500kg horse 3-4 times per month, and very occasionally x2 500kg horses. I also use this to commute to work (1-1.5 hours driving per day).
I'm looking into replacing the car soon as its getting bit older and am wondering is there a more 'economical' vehicle out there that would suit my needs? Im particularly considering fuel economy, and tax/maintenance on the vehicle.

Many thanks

Ash.J.Williams · 12-01-2025 11:31PM

1995 mitzi gallant 2lt petrol

DirkG · 12-01-2025 11:39PM

if you’re looking for a new car, the Ford Kuga 2.5 FHEV AWD is rated for 2100kg, well sorted and highly economical

lyoness · 12-01-2025 11:55PM

with 2 500kg horses you need minimum 2.5t towing capacity so that doesn’t leave you with a lot of options really

Audi Q5/Q7

Tiguan all space

Volvo xc90

Kia sorento

Another Santa Fe

Ford ranger

Toyota Land Cruiser

Range Rover

Landrover Discovery

double check towing capacity as some models of above list may only tow 2T

if you commit to only ever towing one you have a lot more options and will be more economical to drive everyday

ferg01 · 13-01-2025 12:18AM

I tow a bit and have towed with the Landcruiser, Q7 and the Land Rover Discovery. All are excellent at the job. I don’t have experience with the others. I would be weary of anything smaller than 3l. In my experience the smaller engines can really struggle when towing.

The landcruiser is excellent, a bit agricultural and expensive to tax if you’re not on the commercial or farming rate. They’re defo the most reliable of the bunch there I think. There are a few well priced ones up on Donedeal at the moment.

Land Rovers are great to drive but you may end up with very high repair / maintenance bills.

The Q7 is also excellent to drive. Look for the higher rated 3.0L diesel engine. I think they’re generally pretty reliable and not guzzlers despite the engine size. Ok to tax too.

DirkG · 13-01-2025 08:30AM

ideal towing vehicles are disastrous for commuting and your pocket.

I pull the same trailer with one horse with a PHEV Kuga rated for 1800kg. It is far more assured than the (excellent) 2.0tdci I used to use.

A good hybrid has oodles of torque. I recommend a test drive.

Bishop of hope · 13-01-2025 08:49AM

The tuscon is a good option if you like the hyundais. The market is full of suvs with the capability of towing what you need. Once you go up the ccs they all get more expensive to tax and fuel. Personally I would be looking for a commercial jeep to pull a two horse box, at least 2.5 4wd. If you qualify for taxing and insuring a commercial one with only 2 seats they're not over expensive, but if not then you will be out extra for any large vehicle on all fronts.

Del2005 · 13-01-2025 10:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123049764#Comment_123049764

The amount of horses the OP moves is irrelevant as it's the MAM of the trailer that counts not the load, they have a 2.4t trailer so need a vehicle that can tow 2.4t.

BrianD3 · 13-01-2025 12:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123050377#Comment_123050377

The load is relevant from a towing capacity POV. A car with just the driver and a 2000 kg towing capacity can tow a 1000 kg unladen/2500 kg MAM horsebox with one 500 kg horse on board.

As per the RSA

"Towing capacity or towable mass is the maximum weight a vehicle can tow in accordance with the manufacturer’s design specifications"

Licences are a separate issue. EB licence needed in this case due to the MAM of 2500 kg.

If the OP stuck to one horse and downplated his trailer to 1500 kg, he could tow it with a much smaller vehicle (suitable for commuting) and on a B licence. In theory, perhaps it wouldn't work if he'd need a big 4wd to drag it out of muddy car parks.

fits · 13-01-2025 12:36PM

op I have a Q5 for this job. It tows very well and is rated to tow 2400kg ( diesel automatic).
It’s thirsty though. Mine doesn’t do huge mileage anymore and the other family car is an EV which is saving us a fortune on fuel. Might be worth even considering keeping your current car and getting a cheap ish EV for commute.

other options I’d look at would be big engine estates.

jamfer · 15-01-2025 10:48AM

We switched from a 2019 Santa Fe to a 2020 Mazda CX5 AWD. It performs excellently when towing. Plenty of power and grip. We tow an Ifor WIlliams with a big horse.

The CX5 is more fuel efficient than the Santa Fe, it is lighter and smaller in size. We average 6.8l/100, where the Santa Fe was 8.3l/100 The motor tax is €400, the Santa Fe was €600.

User1998 · 15-01-2025 11:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123057702#Comment_123057702

2.2 diesel engine?

ljk2400 · 15-01-2025 09:21PM

Thank you for all your contributions, very helpful for making my decision.

Let's say for sake of argument I committed to towing one 500kg horse only on the horsebox, what would my options be then?

lyoness · 16-01-2025 12:07AM

do not buy a diesel Mazda CX5 whatever you do. Must unreliable engine on the road. No no no!

fits · 16-01-2025 08:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123060743#Comment_123060743

yes the engine blew on the engine of a car belonging to my friend. 2017 car. I think they scrapped it.

Del2005 · 16-01-2025 02:14PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123060003#Comment_123060003

If the trailer is below 750kg MAM it's just the tow limit of the vehicle. The caravan club rate nearly every cars towing abilities.

You can even have a legal train weight of 4,250kg MAM with a B licence, if you have a greater than 750kg MAM trailer it's 3,500kg.

fits · 16-01-2025 02:39PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123062196#Comment_123062196

trailer plus horse will be 1500kg at least.

fits · 16-01-2025 02:41PM

You could look at a Skoda superb op. The lower profile will mean less fuel consumption in commute. They are rated to tow 2000-2200 kg depending on version.

DirkG · 18-01-2025 05:13PM

reminder on 2024 Kuga FHEV. Strong tow car, AWD, solid all rounder, 5l / 100km

tabby aspreme · 19-01-2025 11:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123060003#Comment_123060003

Williams 2 horse box is 920 kgs unladen , put a 500 kg horse in it you will need a towing capacity of 1420 kgs, put 2 horse's in it you will need a towing capacity of 1920 kgs.

tabby aspreme · 19-01-2025 11:57AM

Here's a link

https://www.farmersjournal.ie/focus/motoring/safe-trailer-towing-with-the-farm-car-208843

Recommendation for car for towing horsebox and commuting?

Comments