Which is the best not too big SUV to tow a caravan?

Aussies are keen to explore Australia by road and need to make sure they have the right ride for towing their caravan. We look at some of the best.

International borders are closed for the foreseeable future and Aussies are choosing to explore their own backyard. But if you want to tow a caravan around Australia having the right vehicle is essential. We help a reader find a suitable ride.

THE QUESTION

We’re buying a caravan with a 3000kg Tare weight and need a suitable SUV. We realise it must be a big 4WD, but we’re after the smaller the better. We’re happy buying used.

Tracy Zilm, email

ANSWER

It’s a minefield of weights and measures when it comes to towing legally and safely. Just because a 4x4’s tow rating is 3500kg doesn’t mean you can hitch a 3000kg caravan out back and off you go – we must consider maximum towball weight, the weight of everything you’re carrying and the gross combination mass of vehicle and van. At 3000kg without gas or water, your van’s already a very heavy rig. I’ll discount utes as you want an SUV and, cruelly, ignore the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series due to its sheer size and current ludicrous used prices.

CHOICES

The Jeep is affordable second-hand and is a great choice for towing.

2016 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 3.0D LAREDO, APPROX. $32,000

Jeep’s reliability and customer care reputations have taken a kicking in recent years, but the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel Grand Cherokee remains a popular towing choice. Strong and responsive 184kW/570Nm engine with decent eight-speed gearbox, while consumption of 7.5L/100km – although optimistic – is excellent. It doesn’t feel huge like a LandCruiser 200 Series, but the trade-off is a smaller cabin: not a problem if there’s only two on board. Included are cruise control, dual-zone climate, power seats and 8.4-inch touchscreen. It’s 5 Star crash tested, but has little in the way of active safety. Regarded as a talented and smooth tower, there’s a large 93L tank, although service costs can sting. The 80,000km/four-year one is $1550 at Jeep, the following two are $565 and $1060.

2015 NISSAN PATROL TI Y62, APPROX. $60,000

The Nissan Patrol is big and thirsty.

With so many Aussies planning the Big Lap while unable to travel overseas, used prices for the Nissan Patrol, like the LandCruiser, are off the charts. The Patrol’s slightly cheaper, and while your only option is a V8 petrol, anecdotally fuel economy isn’t much worse than that of the ‘Cruiser’s V8 diesel when towing. That said, a 14.5L/100km return hurts, and that’s without a caravan. It’s a whopper – perhaps too big for your tastes – but it’ll make short work of a 3000kg van. With 298kW and 560Nm it tows with ease, is supremely comfortable and has smart Hydraulic Body Motion Control to reduce roll in corners. You get a leather cabin with woodgrain trim, seven-inch screen, power seats, glass sunroof and massive 140L fuel tank – you’ll need it. The 100,000km/five-year service is the big one at $1230, while the next two are $384 and $830.

2017 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SD4 SE, APPROX $65,000

There are concerns about getting repairs in far flung regions.

Can a four-cylinder really tow 3500kg? The Disco SD4 is rated thus, its 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel offering 177kW and 500Nm. Thanks to an aluminium construction it weighs only 2100kg – some 700kg less than the Patrol. This helps the 6.4L/100km, almost justifying that initial high purchase price. Is there enough grunt to tow your 3000kg van? It won’t be as effortless as the Jeep and Nissan, but with it unhooked your drive experience will be far more pleasurable and economical. Luxurious cabin, independent air suspension and the most advanced here, it’s a spoil yourself, luxe delight. Services aren’t ludicrous: hopefully the first owner bought the transferable five-year service plan ($1950). Only a 77L fuel tank, and as with the Jeep, reliability is a concern, as are repair costs.

WILDCARD

SSANGYONG REXTON ELX, $47,990 DRIVE-AWAY

The SsangYong might struggle at times to tow its maximum weight.

Bear with me here. With the others your risk is buying used cars out of warranty. With the Korean Rexton you’re getting a brand-new SUV with the assurance of a seven-year factory warranty. Whether the brand is still here in seven years is another matter, resale value will drop like a stone and dealers are few. Positively, you get faux leather seats – heated, vented and power – a 12.3-inch screen with smartphone mirroring and generous safety kit like AEB, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert. Discovery aside, it looks the most modern and luxurious inside, but off-road it can’t match the others. The 2.2-litre diesel is good for only 148kW and 441Nm, so although it’s rated to 3500kg, it’ll struggle at times with your van. The 8.9L/100km fuel use is reasonable, as are services at $375 annually/15,000km.

VERDICT

Incredibly, that SsangYong looks safest choice, but I think its engine will struggle with your hefty van. The Jeep hits your smaller-feeling remit, is a towing legend, and the cheaper entry-price gives you cash in reserve for fuel. Make sure you find a perfectly serviced one that’s led an easy life.

Originally published as Which is the best not too big SUV to tow a caravan?