Caravan Club Tow Car of the Year 2014
by Tim Barnes-Clay, the man behind the wheel.
Date: 26 September 2013
CARAVANNING IS all the rage in the UK, and these days there’s a ‘tin tent’ to suit pretty much everyone’s needs.
Whether you’re a couple on a weekend break or a parent on holiday with the rug-rats, you’ll fall in love with hauling your holiday home away from the daily grind.
But, a word of caution if you’re new to this; whatever you’re hauling, you won’t get very far unless you use a car with towing talent.
So, in a bid to find the best load-lugger, I joined a team of judges to put 41 new cars through some harsh hurdles to name The Caravan Club Tow Car of the Year 2014.
My fellow driving judges were Lesley Harris, road test journalist for Auto Express magazine; Clive White, The Club’s car test journalist; Lee Davey, specialist press journalist; Danny Cobbs, motoring journalist; John Harris and Deborah Black, both Caravan Club events sub-committee members.
How we did it
For the first time in the competition’s history, entry invitations were extended to all vehicles capable of towing a trailer over 500kg – and on sale on 1 October 2013.
A thorough assessment of each motor’s dynamic abilities and ergonomic merits was carried out. Tests included a mid-range 30-60mph acceleration evaluation, high-speed towing appraisal, reversing, emergency braking, ride and handling analysis as well as hill-stop and restart trials. This year, for the first time, car roof loads were gauged, taking in to account the capacity to carry items such as bicycles.
Held, as in previous years, at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, the contest attracted 41 entrants. Vehicles were split into seven price groupings, and Class wins in the competition went to:
- SsangYong Korando SE
- Škoda Octavia hatch 1.2 TSI SE 105PS
- Volkswagen Jetta Sport 2.0TDI DSG
- Škoda Superb Elegance Estate 2.0 TDI CR 170PS 4x4 DSG
- Jaguar XF 2.2D Luxury;
- Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0D Portfolio
- Land Rover Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography.
The Victor
From these Class winners, the stylish and very capable Škoda Superb Elegance Estate 2.0 TDI CR 170PS 4x4 DSG emerged as the overall victor, with all of us agreeing that “this vehicle is as good as it gets” and “you wouldn’t know you were towing a caravan”.
All-Wheel drive vehicles competed in two additional categories – ‘All-Wheel Drive Under 1800kg’ and ‘All-Wheel Drive Over 1800kg’. First place in the lighter category went to the all- triumphant Škoda, while the Land Rover Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography took the honours in the heavier group.
For the 2014 competition, our Judges’ Special Award acknowledged any entrant that particularly impressed us as assessors, and a vehicle that “offered so much to so many for so little” caught our attention. The accolade went to a car in the Under £16,000 Class, the Dacia Duster Ambiance 4x4, which “provided good high-speed stability and stopping power, adequate hill-route performance and a hill stop and start that shamed many of the more expensive tow cars”.
The Awards Ceremony
The results of the competition were announced at The Caravan Club Tow Car of the Year Awards ceremony, held at the exalted Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, London on 25 September.
Guests included comedian Roland Rivron, actress Vicki Michelle, best known for her role as Yvette in the sitcom, ‘Allo Allo’, and the original BBC Top Gear Stig, Perry McCarthy, who presented the awards.
More about the winning vehicles
Vehicles under £16,000. Class winner SsangYong Korando SE
The vehicle pulled well through all the gears and gave a smooth ride. Stability at speed was good and it tackled the hill route with enthusiasm. A very economical vehicle, and a worthy class winner.
Vehicles priced £16,000 - £20,000. Class winner Škoda Octavia hatch 1.2 TSI SE 105PS
A competent, economical tow car. For such a little engine, the Octavia breezed around the hill route. An easy-to-use gearbox and a good-sized boot, as well as a 75kg roof load.
Vehicles priced £20,000 - £25,000. Class winner Volkswagen Jetta Sport 2.0TDI DSG
With lovely composure, the Jetta handled very well through corners and the steering was great. Provided a good, agile ride. Generous boot space, full-size spare and 75kg loads on both towball and roof, the Jetta wowed us, with one fellow judge awarding it top marks in every category.
Vehicles priced £25,000 - £31,000. Class winner Škoda Superb Elegance Estate 2.0 TDI CR 170PS 4x4 DSG; winner of the All-Wheel Drive Under 1800kg category; also voted overall winner, The Caravan Club Tow car of the Year 2014
A great all-round vehicle. With a loading limit of 100kg on the roof, 80kg on the towball and a boot that scored maximum marks, it’s a very tough act to follow. With great detail and full-size spare, everything was simple to fit.
Vehicles priced £31,000 - £41,000. Class winner Jaguar XF 2.2D Luxury
A sporty performance and frugal consumption – a great tow car. “Superb”, “brilliant”, “effortless” and “beautifully poised” were just some of the ways we described this vehicle. Who wouldn’t want to caravan with a Jaguar, especially one that provides such an effortless performance?
Vehicles priced £41,000 - £51,000. Class winner Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0D Portfolio
With such a blend of power and torque, and a slick-shifting transmission, this vehicle couldn’t fail. Fun to drive solo, the XF made such a good impression while towing that one colleague gave it a full set of top scores.
Vehicles priced over £51,000. Class winner Land Rover Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography; also voted winner of the All-Wheel Drive Over 1,800kg category
This vehicle was described as feeling more like a sports car than a two-tonne 4x4. With clever innovation blended seamlessly with years of 4WD development, experience and engineering, the Range Rover was described as “simply perfect for towing”; large luggage space and plenty of carrying capacity makes this an amazingly capable tow car.
