Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2010

More about the winning vehicles…

Under £16,000 Class

Winner: Kia Soul Shaker 1.6 CRDi- The Soul Shaker gives a spirited performance, has a usable bodyshape and promises low running costs. The 1.6-litre diesel engine offers reasonable amounts of power and torque for a car of this size. As a towcar for small caravans or trailer tents, Kia’s hatchback is a worthy winner. Biggish door mirrors and a high driving position add to the Soul’s towing credentials..

Winner: Volkswagen Golf SE 2.0TDI - The Golf has a great quality cabin with excellent fit and finish, and simple, intuitive switchgear and instrumentation that puts everything where you expect it to be. Absolutely faultless stability made this car steadfast on the test track, and when the punchy engine had whisked its way to 60mph it was still ready to accelerate, even in sixth gear. Agile handling enables the car to tackle the most demanding route.

Winner: Mazda6 2.2D Estate TS2 - With a flexible engine, bags of low-down torque and a six-speed gearbox that is not only good to use but well mated to the engine, it’s no surprise this is a very worthy class winner. Towing 1347kg, the good-looking estate car romped up the long 14% hill in third gear and tackled a 17% stop-and-restart quite easily. A super car at a great price.

Winner: Volvo XC60 SE D5 AWD - This vehicle has an extra powerful version of Volvo’s excellent five-cylinder engine as well as AWD. Gear changes are smooth and speed builds up rapidly when needed. Terms such as ‘confident’, ‘sure-footed’ and ‘doesn’t feel like it’s towing’, were used plentifully by the judges. Volvo has produced another excellent towcar.

Winner: Land Rover Discovery 4 TDV6 HSE - If you want a car that will take you and your caravan anywhere in absolute comfort, you need look no further than the latest Discovery. Tap on the screen display and you can set the chassis especially for caravan towing, which results in faultless stability and a comfortable ride as you sit cosseted in the well-designed and practical interior

Winner: Škoda Superb Elegance 3.6 V6 4x4 DSG - The Superb proved itself a capable towcar by taking the top prize in the 2009 contest. For 2010 it was back, packing a 260bhp V6 engine and four-wheel drive. The Superb feels as solid as a rock, and it handles so well you can push it hard through twisty roads with real confidence. The Elegance version has a well turned out cabin and luxurious surroundings.

The caravans…

All caravans used during testing were supplied by Bailey of Bristol and loaded to 85% of the relevant car’s kerbweight. Noseweights are set at the car manufacturer’s recommended limit, 7% of the caravan’s running weight or the maximum stipulated weight for the coupling head, whichever is lowest.