Which affordable mid-size SUV should I buy to tow

Finding the right vehicle to tow your caravan is never easy, especially on a budget, but these mid-size SUVs can do the job.

Trying to find the right vehicle to tow your caravan isn’t easy. Picture: Supplied

Towing is a complicated affair and you need to know your vehicle can handle the camper’s weight easily. That doesn’t mean you need an huge four-wheel drive, though, these medium SUVs can handle smaller camper trailers.

If you have a smaller trailer, you don’t necessarily need a huge ute or four-wheel drive to tow.

THE QUESTION

I’m seeking a towing vehicle with up to 2000kg capacity and towball download towards 200kg: most I’ve considered are 100kg or under. Ideally a mid-size SUV, all-wheel-drive, automatic, under eight years old and budget’s around $20,000. I don’t mind petrol or diesel, it

won’t go off-road and it’ll rarely have passengers except my wife. I don’t want a big rugged 4WD. It’s to replace our 2008 Toyota RAV4 for towing a 1100kg camper trailer.

Damian Brown, email

ANSWER

The towing fraternity are a passionate and oft opinionated bunch, so suggesting tow vehicles is always met with “colourful” feedback. You alone are responsible for your trailer’s weight,

overall payload and the towball download. Towing weight breathing space is imperative for safety and legality, with the biggest issue, as you have found, being medium SUVs’ often

low towball download limit. Let’s explore options.

CHOICES

You can get a Holden Equinox with a factory warranty. Supplied

2017-19 HOLDEN EQUINOX LTZ AWD, ABOUT $20,000

The Equinox was a far better SUV than the Captiva it replaced, but its 2017 launch coincided with Holden ceasing local manufacturing, so Aussies didn’t warm to this Mexican-made GM import. But the Equinox was a decent medium SUV and, with the LTZ’s optional all-wheel-drive, has 2000kg towing with 200kg download. Its 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine offers a chunky 188kW/353Nm: plenty for your 1100kg trailer. Trailer sway control and rear camera

with guidelines for hitching up are towing bonuses. It’s thirsty at 8.4L/100km (and

needs 95), but many Equinoxes came with Holden’s seven-year warranty – seek one of

those out – and owners report strong reliability. The drive’s generally comfy, if crashy on the 19-inch wheels. Goodies include leather heated seats, power tailgate, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bose audio and comprehensive crash avoidance tech.

2015 JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED DIESEL 4WD, ABOUT $20,000

This era Jeep’s reliability wasn’t great so make sure you do your checks before hand.

You’re rolling the dice with reliability – this era wasn’t Jeep’s high point. But for 2015

only, a Cherokee with towing ability and fair economy was offered: the Limited diesel.

This four-cylinder oiler had only 125kW, but a chunky 350Nm helped towing: a huge

2393kg tow capacity and 239kg download.

The funny-nosed Cherokee also featured low-range gearing, while its rear-axle disconnect

saved fuel when four-wheel-drive wasn’t required. A superb 5.8L/100km was the result. There are loads of features: heated, power leather seats, 8.4-inch touchscreen, power tailgate and climate control. A smooth cruiser, but services are required every six months. A pre-purchase inspection is vital: the nine-speed auto gearbox, in particular, has proved problematic.

2016 FORD TERRITORY TS DIESEL AWD, ABOUT $21,000

The bigger Ford Territory can handle towing easily, but reliability is an issue. Picture: Supplied

It’s a large SUV, but this is the patriotic, Aussie-built choice. Its 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel offered 140kW and 440Nm to bring a 2700kg towing capacity and 270kg download if the Heavy Duty Towpack was optioned. Ensure any you consider have this option. Spacious and reasonably economical at 8.2L/100km, it’s decent to drive for such a big thing and many towing folk swear by them. It’d barely notice your 1100kg trailer. The TS grade has an 8-inch

touchscreen, sat nav, rear camera, power driver’s seat and fair safety, but the cabin

feels the least modern from our selection.

A perfect service history’s a must due to reliability concerns.

WILDCARD

Diesel-powered BMW X3’s are strong towers but are expensive to fix. Picture: Supplied

2015-17 BMW X3 xDRIVE20d F25 LCI, ABOUT $21,000

Your premium option. As a BMW owner I know they’re costly when things go wrong, but if well maintained and cared for by a good specialist they’re cracking cars. The X3 handles 2000kg with 200kg download thanks to a tow-friendly 140kW and 400Nm silky-smooth 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

Economy’s an excellent 5.4L/100km. There’s BMW’s smart xDrive permanent all-wheel-

drive, reasonable safety, power leather seats, auto tailgate and smartphone connectivity.

The cabin is roomy and oozes class, plus it’s the best driving of all on this list. Favour X3s

where the first owner spent big on options, especially a tow kit, and insist on a perfect

service history.

The Holden Equinox isn’t perfect but is the best option at this price point and size.

VERDICT

Aussies never took a shine to the Holden Equinox, but it meets your towing demands

and is loaded with kit. Find one with warranty remaining and it’s our winner.

Originally published as Which affordable mid-size SUV should I buy to tow