The Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2021
A Superb Victory for Skoda… ŠKODA Superb Estate SE L Executive 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG takes the 2021 Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year crown.
Now any family who have a car full of kit, several children and possibly a dog knows, space and comfort is everything! Add to that up to a twin axle and loaded Caravan and it needs to be special indeed to win this award.
Space is one of the reasons for the trend to SUV models, but Skoda who have their own ‘Yeti’ small cross over have won this year with an estate car. OK, so anyone who knows the ‘Superb’, knows it is superbly appointed and very comfortable, but add to that is excellent towing capabilities, weight and pulling power. Its a winner!
The 38th edition of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2021 went virtual!
Information about new vehicles on the market is really important to the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s one-million members, along with others who tow as part of their hobbies or work.
Manufacturers submitted 40 cars which were evaluated and assessed by an independent panel of expert and knowledgeable judges who carried out full technical specification and vehicle towing capability reviews. “Caravanability” was carried out on each vehicle by evaluating boot load spaces (with the rear seats up and down), roof load limits, along with nose weight limits. The judges carefully researched the towing information presented in the vehicle handbooks and on manufacturers’ websites to check whether the vehicle is equipped with a full sized spare wheel as standard or if a space saver or puncture repair tin was provided instead.
Club members were also invited to share their thoughts and experiences about the vehicle entrants.
The 40 entrants were put into caravan weight categories – rather than being listed by price – to make it easier for buyers to know which cars could tow their caravans. Cars were entered into classes using their 85% kerbweight figure or by their towing limit, whichever was the lower. The competition had seven weight classes, two Family Towcar categories as well as Pick-Up and Alternatively Fuelled categories.
The entrants were then matched with caravans from Bailey of Bristol’s 2021 range with virtual loads, both in the car and the caravan, ensuring the vehicle’s other weight limits were not exceeded.
Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said, “Caravan holidays have never been more popular and it’s important to the Club to make sure we provide relevant information to our members – and all those interested in touring and towing – on the vehicles that are available to them. The Club, with it’s 110+ years of experience, has worked with respected industry colleagues and journalists, all of whom are themselves caravanners, to bring together this invaluable set of data and information. The Club also offers a free technical advice helpline and training courses for those interested in starting out with the pastime.”
For more information visit: camc.com/towcar and make sure you visit a local dealer and book a test drive!
More about the category winners (full list of entrants at end of the release):
Caravan Weight Under 1100kg : Renault All-New Captur
Perfect for growing families (or grandparents) thanks to its class-leading total of three Isofix attachments and the added flexibility of a sliding rear seat. Its one litre engine has been married to a five speed manual gearbox, which should offer wider ratios and less gear-changing when towing on A roads.
Caravan Weight 1100–1200kg : SEAT Leon Estate FR 1.5 TSI manual 150
A solid all-rounder. Estates are ideal for dog owners. Appealing design
Caravan Weight 1200–1300kg : ŠKODA Octavia Estate SE L First Edition 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG
Outstanding MPG and all the practicality of an estate – an excellent choice. Latest version of an old favourite. Hard to fault if you prefer a traditional estate over an SUV.
Overall Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2021 & Caravan Weight 1300–1400kg: ŠKODA Superb Estate SE L Executive 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG
A regular in the Towcar Top 3, and this year’s Superb appears to be no exception. You can’t go wrong with one of these. If you want a large estate, the Superb has to be on your shortlist.
Caravan Weight 1400–1500kg : Vauxhall Insignia SRi VX-Line Nav
A solid, no-nonsense performer that belies its sporty looks with outstanding caravanability qualities, such as its ability to take a 100kg load on the roof. Powerful, punchy engine, and it comes with an established nationwide support network for reassuring peace of mind.
Caravan Weight 1500–1700kg & Alternatively Fuelled : Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T5 FWD R-Design
Delicious kerbweight, delicious economy, and pulls like a train. Capable of towing a large caravan, but with hybrid tech to enhance economy, especially when not towing.
Caravan Weight Over 1700kg & Family Towcar : Volvo V60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD R-Design
One of the best combinations of astonishing power delivery, practicality, and a fair price tag for what you’re getting.
Large Family Towcar : Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Caravelle 6.1 SE Long Wheelbase 2.0 TDI 199PS 7spd DSG
Something of a leftfield choice perhaps, but a ‘problem solver’ of a car. If you need lots of space, versatility of seats vs payload carrying or hefty towing capability, there are plenty of choices around. If you need all three in a single car at the same time, the Caravelle should be on your shortlist.
Pick-Up : Nissan Navara dCi190 Double Cab N-Guard Automatic
The best of both worlds: Refined driving experience and cabin, yet rugged enough to handle all manner of caravanning paraphernalia in the load bed. Multi-link rear suspension equates to a winning combination of towing stability and passenger comfort.