JUDGES’ COMMENTS ON 35 NEW CARS STARTING ON PAGE 6 TOWCAR OF THE YEAR 2 11 ©

Top-of-the-range Skodaˇ makes it a A Superb hat-trick of wins in our prestigious towcar competition performance

SUPPLEMENT SPONSORED BY BAILEY OF BRISTOL CARAVAN CLUB TOWCAR OF THE YEAR

ŠKODA THE TOP OF THE CLASS Again living up to its name, Skoda’sˇ Superb TDI estate takes BAILEY’S a close-fought Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2011 title

PERHAPS THE recession really is to its excellent performance and with power aplenty and taut handling. while in the heady Over £32,000 receding, if the number of entrants in dynamic abilities. It was a joy to drive around the class, the Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI SUPPORTING ROLE The Caravan Club’s Towcar of the But it had to work very hard Millbrook test facility’s demandingly led a fairly diverse group to emerge Year 2011 competition (now in its indeed to earn the £25,000 to sinuous hill circuit, yet rock-solid at the victor. 28th year) is anything to go by. This £32,000 class award (which then well over legal UK motorway speeds. Last, but certainly not least, the Bailey is proud of its 13-year association with and fairly. From the initial scrutineering through year’s healthy entry list of 35 gives the right of entry into the Škoda struck gold again in the all-terrain vehicles. Rising from a The Caravan Club’s Towcar of the Year Competition. the outfit preparation stages, assessment of competitors is back up around overall Towcar of the Year ballot), Under £16,000 class with it’s wide selection of capable SUVs, As the UK’s premier event of its type, this ‘caravanability’ and on to the actual driving itself, pre-credit-crunch levels, and might as this was one of the most closely- cute-but-tough little Fabia 1.6 TDI Mitsubishi’s Outlander Juro SST competition not only supplies caravan owners with every aspect of ownership is tested rigorously to have been higher still but for some fought classes in recent memory. showing how impressive a tiny secured the AWD Under 1,800kg important information on potential new tow vehicles, arrive at the final result. models being just outside the strict Ford’s Mondeo Titanium X Sport towcar can be. In the £16,000 to category with an impressive all-round entry criteria. We look forward to estate nearly spoiled Škoda’s party, £20,000 class, the also-cute-in- performance (full test in November’s but also provides a practical examination of Bailey’s To give Club members greater insight into what it capturing those next year. which itself had another Superb some-people’s-eyes Fiat Doblo Caravan Club Magazine). In the product performance. takes to find the Towcar of the Year, Bailey has For now, though, Škoda’s Superb estate, the 1.8 TSI, snapping at its 2.0 16v MultiJet van-based MPV AWD Over 1,800kg category, the In addition to supplying the caravans used in the produced a website on the competition. This site 2.0 TDI estate takes top honours to heels. To paraphrase a popular blended excellent towing with awesome, highly-desirable and competition, Bailey also fields a technical support includes a full listing of the winners, as well as a become Towcar of the Year 2011. cookery programme, towing doesn’t more practicality and versatility than universally-capable Range Rover Sport team, including representatives from chassis behind-the-scenes look at what takes place during The Superb is fast becoming get tougher than this! you might expect for the money. TDV6 HSE emerged triumphant. manufacturer Al-Ko Kober, to work at the event. competition week, including video footage of a full something of a Towcar legend, this The Superb estate in both forms, Last year’s overall champion, Over the page you’ll be introduced being its third overall win. In estate the 2.0 TDI with six-speed manual Volkswagen’s Golf Match 2.0TDI, to the winners, followed by driving During the week-long test, the caravans are taken test circuit. For details see towcarcompetition.co.uk – form Superb adds yet another gearbox and 1.8 TSI with six-speed again proved a big hit with the judges impressions of all the cars and how on over 200 circuits of the Millbrook Proving Ground, the site will be updated with the 2011 competition string to its already well-strung DSG, offers a well-appointed, in the competitive £20,000-£25,000 they’ll accommodate all your featuring a lap of the high-speed circular track and a results from 4 October. bow, to bring even greater versatility spacious and comfortable package class to take a well-deserved win, caravanning equipment. demanding hill route (equating to approximately 1,000 test miles). Throughout this extensive testing procedure, Bailey ensures that its caravans remain in a Towcar of the Year 2011 road-safe condition and that each unit is correctly matched to the relevant tow vehicle. TOWCAR CONTENTS Working at Millbrook, Bailey has first-hand OF THE YEAR p4-5: Winners on parade experience of the lengths to which The Caravan Club Introducing the winners and details of how the testing was done goes to ensure each entry is examined thoroughly 2 11 n CLUB MEMBERS’ EXCLUSIVE INSURANCE DISCOUNT p6-13: Class by class You could benefit from a special offer of up to 10% premium discount How each of the 35 entries performed in both the driving and caravanability on any of the class winners from Towcar of the Year 2011 – as well as aspects of the competition some of those in the same model range. Just call 0800 028 4809 p14-15: Information table quoting ‘Towcar’ for information on qualifying vehicles and for All the essential facts and figures For more details see bailey-caravans.co.uk a personalised quote. Applies to new policies taken out from Driving words:Clive White Caravanability words: Gary Martin 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2011. Photography: Alan Bond, John Colley Design: Peter McCreary, Michaela Easey

2 The Caravan Club Magazine October 2010 The Caravan Club Magazine 3 CARAVAN CLUB TOWCAR OF THE YEAR Winners on parade

WHERE, WHEN AND HOW? coupling manufacturer, in which case the highest test facility, during August. The weather was dry Al-Ko, which provides all Bailey’s chassis and will or might affect its towing performance – All car manufacturers and importers are invited to allowable figure is used. and there was little wind throughout this year’s undergear, were on hand throughout the competition automatic transmission, for instance. We have not submit vehicles for Caravan Club Towcar of the Year After a careful scrutineering process to ensure contest, so all cars were tested in almost identical to lend their support and ensure that all the caravans included the cost of extras that were fitted but assessment, the most prestigious competition the cars conform to the exact specification conditions. Al-Ko’s excellent stability control were correctly ballasted. The fact that none of the which did not affect towing, such as leather of its type. These vehicles have to be new or declared, there are exhaustive track tests to system, ATC, normally comes as standard on the caravans suffered any damage or developed any upholstery, metallic paint or telephone wiring. substantially modified (eg different engine or assess all models’ towing ability as well as majority of Bailey caravans but it was deliberately fault during Towcar of the Year testing speaks transmission) models in 2010. ‘caravanability’ checks to gauge how ‘caravanning not connected for TCoY’s driving test so any volumes for Bailey and Al-Ko products, and GUEST OF HONOUR Caravans, supplied by Bailey of Bristol, are friendly’ the cars are. How easily can you fit a inherent instability would show up. The Caravan Club gratefully acknowledges the The special guest during our towcar testing and for loaded to 85% of each car’s kerbweight, unless a folding table and two chairs, and an awning and its help freely given by the companies. the subsequent awards ceremony in London was lower weight is dictated by the car manufacturer. poles in the boot, for instance, and how accessible SUPPORTING ROLES former downhill skier and Ski Sunday and Winter Noseweights are set at 7% of the caravan’s are the towing electrics? This was the 13th year in which Bailey of Bristol PRICES Olympics TV presenter, Graham Bell (right). He is weight unless this exceeds the noseweight Testing took place at the Millbrook Proving had supplied all the caravans used in the Prices shown are the on-the-road cost of that model also on the Olympic Committee and is Patron of the limit imposed by the car manufacturer or the Ground in Bedfordshire, the country’s premier car competition. Representatives from Bailey and car plus its towing equipment and any extras that British Ski Association.

CLASS WINNER CLASS WINNER £16,000 – £20,000 £20,000 – £25,000 Fiat Doblo 2.0 MultiJet Eleganza Volkswagen Golf Match 2.0TDI 140 (returning champion)

CATEGORY CLASS WINNER WINNER

Over £32,000 AWD Over 1,800kg CATEGORY Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI Range Rover Sport WINNER BlueEfficiency Avantgarde Estate TDV6 HSE AWD Under 1,800kg Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-D Juro SST

CLASS WINNER

Under £16,000 Škoda Fabia Elegance 1.6 TDI CR

CLASS WINNER and OVERALL CHAMPION

The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2011 and £25,000 – £32,000 Škoda Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI CR

4 The Caravan Club Magazine October 2010 The Caravan Club Magazine 5 CARAVAN CLUB TOWCAR OF THE YEAR Cars under £16,000 Cars £16,000 – £20,000 Cars £20,000 – £25,000

Volkswagen Golf Match 2.0TDI 140 Fiat Doblo 2.0 MultiJet Eleganza Price as tested £21,531 Price as tested £17,698 CLASS WINNER Not quite in last year’s specification as weighted, nicely geared and accurate. If anything proves the saying that you Maybe not the highest quality interior, 2010’s TCoY champ has now been A slick gearshift and smoothly-engaging shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, it’s but should resist the kids well enough – superseded, but returned in as close as clutch combine with an efficient the Fiat Doblo. From a lively standing and it’s just so spacious and practical. possible trim to defend its title – in style, handbrake to make hill stops and starts start, its performance felt strong and, romping off with this highly-competitive additional plus points. though shed-like aerodynamics seemed Caravanability class’s top spot! It romps off the line, to call it a day at around 80mph, What a great boot – easily swallows too – before you know it you’ve passed Caravanability stability still felt good with only the a full load. That big tailgate won’t 70mph and the engine is still offering Our returning champ again proved its crosswinds provoking any sway. All the open with caravan hitched, though. more. On the hill circuit, it snicked credentials. Good access to towing through the hairpins and off-camber electrics, a generous 75kg noseweight judges had a great time threading the Reasonable access to towball and sockets, but no breakaway cable downhill bends like it was on a roller- and sat firm and level when hitched up. Doblo around the hill route. It stopped pigtail or eyelet. coaster’s rails. The ride manages to be Is a better load carrier than might be and pulled away on the hill well, too. controlled yet compliant in just about the expected, too. Should be kind to your right amounts, while steering is well wallet in terms of running costs. Mitsubishi ASX 3 1.8 DI-D 2WD Škoda Fabia Elegance 1.6 TDI CR CLASS WINNER Price as tested £19,051 CLASS WINNER Price as tested £14,482 The new ASX SUV pleased most of right clutch/throttle balance to pull Fabia is like a terrier: appealingly cute, rest, and hardly twitched on us in most important areas, this away without too much drama. but eager to happily go ratting – or, in Millbrook’s high-speed bowl below front-wheel drive version favoured Nicely-styled interior. this case, towing – all day long, then 75mph. On the demanding hill route, over its 4WD compatriot. The bounce back excitedly wanting more! It its steering was quick, accurate and 1.8-litre turbodiesel gives spirited Caravanability boasts tenacious pulling power from placed the outfit just where it was performance and I hit 75mph on 70kg noseweight is average for a car aimed. Parking-brake hold divided the the high-speed circuit before any of this size, handbook towing Caravanability judges, only muscle accomplishing significant sway set in. The ride can information is very basic at best and this two-wheel drive version of the Promises economical running costs positive steep-hill stops. Hill starts be a touch choppy on some surfaces, ASX 3 will cost you more to run than (which includes OTR price, service proved less dramatic than many other but generally the ASX is comfortable others in this class. However, all bar hours, insurance group and CO2 and handles its caravan well. The manual-transmission competitors. the Aquaroll fitted in the boot and the emissions), while a 75kg noseweight is Add in a surprisingly roomy cabin, handbrake just held the outfit on the towing socket is accessible. very good. It’s not a great load carrier – smart-yet-simple control layout and hill, but it wasn’t difficult to find the its boot taking just half our typical caravanner’s gear* – and there’s no pleasing finish and you’re unlikely to breakaway cable anchorage point. find yourself barking up the wrong tree with this little Škoda. Hyundai ix35 2.0 CRDi 4WD Style Price as tested £19,375 Mitsubishi ASX 3 1.8 DI-D 4WD This stylish SUV impressed with lively which was just as well as it was Price as tested £20,551 performance and intelligent choice of extremely reluctant to take much Here’s a classic case of less is more. Some judges struggled a little with the gear ratios. The ix35 also gave a good notice of its handbrake. The previously-mentioned 2WD ASX hill starts, others didn’t, but the account of itself on the hill route. came off the better of these two, if not handbrake seemed to just hold for all. High-speed stability was found to be Caravanability by much, and it takes nearly £1,500 off good but one judge remarked about a Wouldn’t quite accept our full load in this model, too. The 4WD is just as sudden twitchiness at speed. I found it its boot, but boasts a good 80kg Caravanability potent as its 2WD relative, but seems to Shares the same attributes as its generally stable up to around 70mph, noseweight plus reasonable lack its crispness of response in both stablemate. Both are fitted with an handbook towing info. One of many but then noticeable crosswind emergency puncture kit which lies cars in which a boot load would need handling and control operation, such as buffeting encouraged me to back off a under the boot floor, meaning that to be removed to access the spare gear change and steering. It offers bit. Despite a lingering aroma of clutch your load will need to be taken out in Kia Venga 3 Ecodynamics 1.4 CRDi wheel and tools – although at least it excellent high-speed stability and flambé, the Hyundai managed its hill the event of a puncture. Sits firm and had a full-size replacement. pretty good handling qualities, despite Price as tested £15,690 starts without too much difficulty, level with caravan along for the ride. losing a little agility to the FWD model. The Venga’s striking, ‘well-planted’ ride, handling and steering, but the look offers the impression that it might general consensus was that this take a caravan firmly by the scruff of the otherwise appealing little car’s forté Škoda Roomster Scout 1.6 TDI CR DPF neck. Regrettably, this wasn’t so. is not really towing a caravan. Lacklustre performance made it a long Price as tested £16,072 haul up to 60mph-ish with nothing in Caravanability It might look a bit different, but that about both its handbrake’s grip on the reserve due to high gearing. Once Handbook offers good towing didn’t stop most of the judges liking hill stops and its competence when there, crosswind buffeting felt a bit information, while the 75kg the Roomster’s strong performance, pulling away. uncomfortable. Same story on the hill noseweight is more than generous. However, Venga is deceptively small, appropriate gear ratios, compliant with an inadequate parking brake and not even consuming half our load, ride and surefooted handling. It Caravanability the ‘Start/stop’ conspiring to give and has a soft attitude when hitched, happily towed at speeds up to 70mph, Our judges were full of praise for the less-than-impressive hill starts. so caravan sits slightly nose-down. with just a bit of twitching in response ease of access to the electrical socket Opinions were a little mixed concerning to gusty crosswinds. Its overall ease of and for the fabulous towing info in a driving and competent handling had separate booklet from the handbook – *For the purpose of Towcar of the Year, a typical caravanner’s load comprised: an most of the judges enjoying other manufacturers, please take note. Roomster lives up to its name, its boot awning and poles; a groundsheet; an Aquaroll; a Wastemaster; a pair of folding seats Millbrook’s twisting and testing hill and a folding table; two wheel chocks; and a fresh-water container. offering Tardis-like qualities. route. Strangely, judges were divided

6 The Caravan Club Magazine October 2010 The Caravan Club Magazine 7 CARAVAN CLUB TOWCAR OF THE YEAR Cars £20,000 – £25,000

Mazda6 2.2 Estate TS2 Diesel Isuzu Rodeo 3.0 Denver Max LE Price as tested £21,031 Price as tested £24,870

The engine’s hardly revvy and is geared others said it was no problem. On the accordingly, which means the ratios flat, though, 70mph was approached have to be used to cover its narrow after a while and the Rodeo proved torque band. Millbrook’s steep hills creditably stable. demanded frequent use of the Isuzu’s long-throw gear lever, but then comes Caravanability the steering-wheel twirling on the way Monstrously-healthy appetite for load down while bucking and pitching over carrying, generous noseweight of bumps. Even with a good, strong pull the 120kg and impeccable attitude when hitched, it’s hard to fault the Rodeo. No handbrake only just about gripped well complaints with towball, socket, spare Vauxhall Astra 2.0CDTi SRi enough to hold the outfit on the hill. wheel or jack/tools access either. Price as tested £22,430 Some struggled to get moving again,

Admired for its performance, confident restarting on hills. Watch excellent towing stability, surefooted out Golf? Well, maybe not quite yet as no need to worry, as even the slower handling, slick gear change etc, right some niggles crept in, not all towing The 6 is powerful and quick, though sways were well above what you can through to secure stopping and mostly related. Judges’ comments some judges got to higher speeds than legally tow at on UK roads. It stops as Renault Megane Sport Tourer highlighted the following: “Not the others before any swaying set in. But well as it starts, though impressions Caravanability most intuitive of dashboards”; “stiff of handbrake performance varied a Dynamique 1.9 dCi Hard to fault in terms of running and fiddly seat-adjustment levers”; Caravanability bit on the hill. Despite an ambient Price as tested £21,870 costs, light bulb failure warning (a “fiddly parking-brake button the Comprehensive towing info in the aroma of barbecued clutch, no one dashboard message informs exactly wrong way round”; and my own pet handbook shows that Mazda takes this complained too much about hill No complaints on the performance front high-speed stability and ride comfort. which bulb is out), noseweight (75kg) hate of wide double A-pillars housing and convenient position of towing art seriously. 75kg noseweight and starts. Top it all off with good with praise for general towing capability, Also, few dissenters when it got to the useless little quarter light windows. socket. However, can’t challenge the socket access are both pleasing but, a roadholding and well-sorted chassis Note to GM: very nice towcar, shame little disappointingly for an estate, we hilly, twisty bits. The electric parking Golf as a load carrier. about some ergonomics. couldn’t fit all our gear in the back. dynamics, and the Mazda emerges Caravanability brake hung on like a limpet for the hill as a pleasingly capable all-rounder. Another manufacturer to produce a stops, but sometimes automatically let comprehensive separate towing go before sufficient revs were gathered, Nissan Navara Tekna 2.5 dCi Double Cab booklet – full marks Renault. Took Nissan Qashqai Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi First Edition demanding a retry or a spot of panic Caravanability most of our typical load, too. However, clutch/throttle pedalling. After the uphill Tekna 2.0 dCi See notes for the other identically-shaped Price as tested £24,938 elsewhere it’s a different story, with Price as tested £21,101 starts, things went downhill in the Qashqai. According to our figures, could be A sluggish performer, it felt relatively were a bit of an adventure. As was the access to the electrical socket and Price as tested a little more costly than its petrol-powered ergonomics department, along with some stable – though even pre-planned hill route, rowing the substantial gear spare wheel both quite awkward. brother in terms of ownership. gripes about the driving position. £23,785 emergency stops, while safe enough, lever up hills then trying to get the steering to keep up with the corners on the way down. Like the Isuzu, the stiffly- Seat Exeo ST 2.0 TDI SE sprung live rear axle causes a see-saw Price as tested £23,915 effect with the caravan, while the outfit zig-zagged along the route! Even a The Exeo didn’t start to sway appreciably less variable “messy and scrappy” to heavy-duty heave on the handbrake only until around 70mph on the high-speed “lost traction slightly” set of comments just secured the outfit on the hill. Most bowl, but its hill-route performance was about pulling away. judges struggled to pull away, though slightly dampened, possibly by sporty low range is there if needed. damping and low-profile tyres. While Caravanability the Exeo promised a brisk ride, it Scored well for an almost impeccable delivered a rather sketchy journey with attitude when hitched, its ease of heavy steering blunting turn-in along socket connectivity and light bulb failure warning – like the Astra, the with bump-steer and torque-steer Outscored its petrol-fuelled sibling Exeo’s dash displays a message quite comfortably on the road. I found making progress interesting but hardly identifying the exact bulb that’s gone Nissan Qashqai +2 n-tec 2.0 it pretty brisk in SUV terms and happily fluent. A range of hill-stop-handbrake on strike. Swallowed the majority of remarks spanned “barely held” to our caravanning load, too. Price as tested £22,070 took it up to 70mph-plus on the Kia’s new SUV has a chunky, rugged For me the Sportage offered average high-speed circuit without any stability “held okay”, accompanied by a slightly look to it with a high waistline and performance, taking a while to If anyone needs convincing that diesel saying it all, but with patience I cajoled concerns. Keeping momentum going narrow glass area. A number of judges get to a stable 70mph. One judge (usually) beats petrol for towing, try it to 75mph, only to give up in the face on the hill route minimised gear commented on poor visibility, found it unstable at 50mph, while this Qashqai back to back with its of crosswinds. Seems like many judges shifting, though the Nissan’s good especially restricted sight lines at a couple of others commended its diesel brother. Judges’ performance were too busy shifting gears to remark change quality hardly discouraged a the rear and rear three-quarters. performance and stability. This comments were few, their low scores on the +2’s handling on the hill route, cog swap when needed. Pulling hard Caravanability inconsistency might result from which was quite good on the twisty bits up the steeper hills revealed a degree Massive storage capacity, but load is Caravanability an economy-tuned engine ECU Caravanability and it even chucked in a reasonably of torque-steer, which could upset not covered or secured. Very heavy A noseweight of 80kg, easy access to being a bit too clever. Hill circuit A short rear overhang aids the compliant ride. Steering wasn’t bad for the car’s composure a little. That tailgate could do with gas struts or the electrical socket and a good, firm comments ranged from praise to Qashqai’s firm and level attitude to an SUV and it went round corners quite torque-steer could manifest itself again similar to aid opening/closing. attitude when hitched up show this condemnation. The handbrake was being hitched up to a caravan, while nicely. Some judges didn’t mince during hill starts as reasonable revs and Faultless when hitched up – no drop at model’s positive caravanability thought to be poor on the hill, with a 75kg noseweight is agreeable. words on their hill starts. “Useless!” possible tyre scrabble were needed to all with caravan behind. Have to get attributes, but you may have to be a Didn’t take all our caravanning gear down on knees to access socket, and take-off described variously as said one. The handbrake offered little accomplish a take off. But the little frugal when packing. in its boot, though. could prove costly to run. brilliant to barely average. solace, only just holding the outfit. handbrake bit and held well.

8 The Caravan Club Magazine October 2010 The Caravan Club Magazine 9 CARAVAN CLUB TOWCAR OF THE YEAR Cars £25,000 – £32,000

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRTi Premium Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X CLASS WINNER Price as tested £28,135 & TOWCAR OF THE Price as tested £26,653 YEAR I like the Mondeo, but this diesel provoked quite badly on uneven road model disappointed with its rather surfaces. Mainly problem-free hill vocally gruff engine. Forgiveness stops and starts redressed the balance. comes easily, however, when the Height adjustment of the driver’s seat Mondie shows off its high-speed and was criticised by two judges. handling prowess. Braking was equally positive and efficient. Comes into its Caravanability own on the hill route, steering Favourable running costs, a generous accurately and briskly through the 90kg noseweight limit and not bad on bends with excellent balance and the load front (all bar the Aquaroll in the boot) either. Ford could do better roadholding. The steering can start to with handbook towing info, though. Subaru Legacy 2.5i SE Lineartronic writhe with torque-steer when pulling hard up the steep hills, which was Price as tested £27,584

Despite the advantages of continuously judges didn’t like it, but I found it quite variable transmission (CVT), we drivers good, especially after the easiest hill like rising and falling engine notes, so start of all (combined with Hill-holder manufacturers insert artificial steps – and an efficient electric parking brake). The new Santa Fe is frustrating as you the hill route well enough, and it’s Škoda Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI CR six in the Legacy’s case. A couple of After universal hill stop/start praise, feel there’s good in there, but it craves pretty agile for an SUV. High-speed judges’ impressions went hither and more attention to detail. For instance, stability, too, was very capable. Price as tested £25,238 Caravanability yon. Some found the ride soft and the horrible slippery plastic steering With good noseweight, loadspace and Caravanability Steps off the line with vigour, its light, It’s even got a conventional handbrake squidgy though I craved a spot more wheel and an awkward parking brake. level attitude when hitched, this Legacy Greatly impressed on every practical forgiving clutch smoothing any driver that works, though a spot of considered squidge, and while I discovered no The hill start was pretty good and the impressed. The placement of the serious problems with either hill-route stop wasn’t bad either, once that brake front, except that it promises to be a bungling to let the gearshift snick clutch/throttle balance was needed for compressor and tools beneath two little pricier to own than most in class. handling or high-speed stability, I think was mastered. A grunty-but-gruff through its gate at the flick of a finger. clean hill starts. Well, even the top dog is floors under the load did not. Towing data also rated as very good. Before you know it, 70mph. Is that a allowed one small misdemeanor. Superb! I was outvoted. engine propelled the Hyundai round caravan? Oh yes, we’re towing aren’t we. Better try an emergency stop. A bit Caravanability Caravanability Volvo XC60 D3 DRIVe SE of commotion from the ABS, but halted Top marks here for excellent load- Does what an estate should – carries a Price as tested £29,965 far short of the anticipated point. Up carrying capabilities, a generous 80kg heck of a load. Top marks too for its steep hills and down steep dales the noseweight limit and the promise of 90kg noseweight. We liked the easily- accessible swing-down towball, Volvos have always been pretty such as “cabin far too complex” and car never gives cause for concern – it attractively-low running costs. The test inoffensive, right? Perhaps not! Take “one ugly interior”.Things smoothed car came with a 7-pin socket, though – although socket is not so easy to get goes where it’s aimed and obediently the interior: we admirers like the clear, out at high speed with only one low isn’t it about time all cars came with a at. Level and firm with caravan hitched, stays there. Agile, fun, satisfying. 13-pinner as standard? but load has to be removed to access simple controls, but then I see remarks mark, though I found the outfit Practical even, with all that loadspace. the space saver spare and tools. circuiting at 80mph quite happily. Stopped pretty smartly, too. When CATEGORY WINNER the going got twisty, the XC60 wove Škoda Superb Estate Elegance Ford Mondeo 2.0 AWD Under 1,800kg its way around the hill course quite 1.8 TSI DSG Ecoboost Titanium efficiently. But it’s not such good news Price as tested £25,223 at the hill stop. Perplexingly the X Sport Estate electric park brake held for most, but There were some aspects of the 1.8 TSI response from judges, with some Price as tested not all; and we all experienced tyre that I liked a little better than its TDI wanting more revs, others craving better £27,785 scrabbling to get away. sibling. It certainly felt a touch crisper traction. Strangely, the TSI seemed to on the hill circuit, though a tad less twitch about 5mph before the TDI, but Here’s the car that very nearly put paid compliant over rippled surfaces. While I it’s still mightily impressive. Caravanability to the overall winner’s success. Its Thumbs up for the electrically-operated loved the TSI’s free-revving nature and turbo-petrol powerplant is smooth, tailgate, load capability, attitude when broad torque spread, the normally- Caravanability free-revving, responsive and tractable hitched, bulb failure warning and excellent DSG gearbox did go hunting Identical to the remarks for the TDI with torque piling on with increasing towing data. Thumbs down for for the right gear on occasion. But once version above, save for the fact that it engine speed – and mated to a Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-D Juro SST awkward access to spare and tools, Mazda CX-7 2.2 D lack of cable anchorage and electrical away from the most severe climbs, it can’t quite match its sibling’s very quick-witted six-speed auto box. competitive running costs. Price as tested £27,521 Price as tested £28,072 socket access. settled back to a competent operation. Combine this with beautifully-smooth Hill starts produced a slightly varied I wasn’t alone in liking the Mazda’s a good, long tug to get there. Starting and responsive steering, plus sports Styling is unmistakably SUV, and outfit didn’t run away down the hill accommodation, but agreed with off caused some trauma for one of suspension, and you’ve got a great encompasses a nicely-appointed and and pulling away proved problem free. gripes about rearward visibility due the driving judges, but few problems package. Lively torque-steer when practical interior. It pulls away A nicely-rounded package. to the tapering window line. We for the others. pulling hard up the steeper hills was reasonably smartly with a set of smooth seemed pretty happy with the CX-7’s my only negative. Its handbrake shifts taking it swiftly and securely past Caravanability high-speed stability and cruising Caravanability worked easily and efficiently, and our legal towing speeds. While it’s Spare wheel (underfloor with wind- ability. Likewise the hill-route Reversing camera aids manoeuvring the hill start was almost serene. generally quite car-like to drive, the hill down access) and tools/jack (in side performance – it generally handled the CX-7 accurately for hitching up and High-speed stability was fine with me route’s sharper corners revealed some panel) both accessible with a full load its caravan well through the twists, the majority of our gear fitted in the up around 75mph. What separates bodyroll and a desire for a more direct onboard. Space to spare for any gear, very generous noseweight and no turns, hills and dips. Its conventional boot. However, not the most this from the winning Škoda? In real feel to the steering. The conventional accessible socket. 85kg noseweight movement at all when hitched. handbrake kept most secure on the handbrake felt a bit marginal, but the and extensive towing advice. life it dips into your wallet a little hill, though I found the lever needed deeper. On points, just a fag paper.

10 The Caravan Club Magazine October 2010 The Caravan Club Magazine 11 CARAVAN CLUB TOWCAR OF THE YEAR Cars £25,000 – £32,000 Cars over £32,000

Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC EX Volkswagen Price as tested £30,285 CLASS WINNER Caravelle SE 2.0 Bi TDI SWB Price as tested £35,504

This did far better than many judges expected it might. It punches a nice hole for the caravan to flow into and, if the trailing airflow’s not disturbed too Caravanability much, good stability results. It wasn’t at Almost impossible to criticise from a all painful around the hill route either. practical aspect, notching nigh-on full With a bit of steering-wheel twirling and marks in all nine criteria on the a slightly bewildered DSG gearbox, the caravanability judges’ scorecard. It Caravelle fairly flew around. The even offers economical running costs. The only minor negative is that you handbrake afforded a good hold on the Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI BlueEfficiency have to be tall to reach and close the Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi KX-3 hill stop. Take off was a bit scrappy, but tailgate – picky, I know! In this entrant’s automatic guise, its bits, though sometimes slowed Price as tested £31,553 Avantgarde Estate the outfit got away okay. braked towing limit is restricted to quickly on the steepest hills. The Price as tested £39,300 1,500kg, some way short of 85% of handbrake held effectively, though Can I request that this new Sorento be wobble or two at speed, with one judge Very impressive. Squeeze the throttle pointed. I dislike foot parking brakes, Toyota Land Cruiser Caravanability the CR-V’s kerbweight. But, hey, a hill starts were sometimes iffy, called something different? Because getting twitchy at 50mph. Others and the outfit was propelled forward but this one just gripped. Starting off? LC5 3.0 D-4D Another vehicle that performed better 1.5-tonne caravan is adequate for a sometimes alright. very different it is. Most praised stayed firm to 65mph or ne’er in the caravanability stakes than on the at an indecent rate of knots, though If there was a steep incline there, the lot of people’s needs. Some judges performance and handling, some gave a sway at all. Price as tested road. Almost faultless here, especially I seemed to be in a minority in Merc didn’t seem to notice it! experienced a spot of swaying at Caravanability not-so-positive feedback. I thought £47,712 as a load lugger, in regard to ease of experiencing the onset of instability as speed and, though beyond the legal Load carrying, noseweight, attitude towing performance more than socket connectivity and in terms of Caravanability low as 65-ish mph. I must mention the noseweight. A negative? You have to UK towing limit, it could manifest when hitched and handbook towing adequate, although there’s cornering Consumes lots of gear and displays an data could hardly be faulted. Spare seat-back bolsters which squeeze Caravanability unhitch the caravan to open the itself without much warning. A bodyroll and you can accelerate your impeccable attitude when hitched. and tools beneath the load and against your back depending which Uniquely, the Merc has a knob in the tailgate while en route to your site. couple of comments surfaced about way to understeer in bends if that’s Extensive towing info highlights Kia’s boot that makes the towbar magically potentially high running costs were the way the car’s turning – except I found grabbing brakes during emergency your wont. Apply the awkward-to-reach serious take on caravanning, while one appear when turned – brilliant. only blips on the CR-V’s CV. of the best on test for convenience of that they deploy a bit too late. The agile it ain’t, and some judges were stops. Nimble enough on the twisty foot parking brake, and the Kia holds Uniquely again, the socket sits in the access to spare and tools. Not sure E350 made short work of the hill less than impressed with the brakes, safely on a hill stop. Access this brake neck of the towball for unrivalled ease why auto has 20kg less noseweight route, and even rocketed up the hills of connectivity. Add an electrically- too. It was frustratingly hard work on again, and the Sorento drives fairly than its manual twin, though. that stunted most other competitors. operated tailgate, cavernous storage the hill route’s ascents, only to be happily away. We all experienced a I found the steering lacking weight, potential, 84kg noseweight and rewarded with roly-poly cornering. cracking towing data, and the Merc is a but the car certainly went confidently Gentle uphill bends were okay, but more-than-deserving class winner. wherever the three-pointed star was There seemed (well, sounded) to be faster downhill corners started to get Nissan Pathfinder Tekna 2.5 dCi much effort expended in getting this the knuckles whitening. The long Price as tested £31,978 substantial outfit on the go, but with travel handbrake inspired little momentum mustered it felt pretty confidence on the hill stop, but just stable at impressively high speeds, held. Restarting in its own time, the and willing to stay there all day. But outfit moved off…

Range Rover Caravanability Sport TDV6 HSE You don’t need Cilla Black to tell you that – Surprise, Surprise! – the Rangie Price as tested scores impressively here. 150kg of £52,830 noseweight, firm suspension for a lovely level feel when hitched up, How do you persuade over 2.5-tonnes of comprehensive towing data and oodles 4x4, plus caravan, to perform like a of loadspace... Costly to own in this sports grand tourer? Answer: 3.0-litres company, though. of pokey diesel mated to a pretty handy Volvo S60 D5 SE Lux Premium six-speed auto box and some useful seemed to think it was the Golf and just Subaru Outback 2.0 D SE NavPlus In some ways the Pathfinder gives the cajoled the handbrake to retain the Price as tested £33,710 suspension trickery, not forgetting 4WD poo-pooed any pimple of a hill, including Price as tested £30,879 impression of an old-school off-roader, outfit on the hill, while varying methods by the 4WD expert. On the high-speed its boringly compulsory stop and restart. and some of its driving characteristics to start again produced varying degrees Great coupé looks, but you shouldn’t fairly flatly. But I suspect variable-rate bowl it felt rock solid and just wanted to In other words, it stopped and drove off The ‘boxer’ flat-four diesel punts the The electric parking brake held well, add weight to that. But step inside and of success. judge by looks alone… That’s not to power steering’s at work, as the weight go... Hill route, what hill route? Allowing again just as it would on the flat. Outback along at a reasonable pace, and despite lingering eau de clutch the fascia contains modern switchgear say this Volvo is a disappointment, my didn’t feel quite right with little for a bit more lean in corners, the Rangie giving our judges little cause for from other attempts, the Subaru set in a fittingly-chunky centre console. main complaint being its rather loading through the wheel to indicate Caravanability wooden ride. On the other hand, it felt cornering forces. However, the Volvo CATEGORY WINNER complaint – 70mph passed me by pulled away nicely. Judges were pleasantly surprised by First the good news. It’s a capacious dynamically responsive and cornered left its caravan in no doubt as to who AWD Over 1,800kg with only an odd crosswind buffet. its planted-on-the-road feel and, hod carrier that sits firm and level with The ride is a bit choppy, but the Caravanability although taking a while to get there, caravan on its back; 120kg noseweight was boss. S60 is my equal best for hill Outback handled well throughout the Outback has plenty of room, er, out found it stable enough even above the can’t be faulted. Now the bad news. Caravanability stops and starts. The electric brake hill circuit. On the steep uphill back, and was also liked for its ability UK towing speed limit. Less of a No electric socket was fitted for Excellent noseweight limit of 90kg and was like chucking out an anchor with to remain level with caravan hooked competition testing (a big omission), sections the diesel could lug the surprise is that the car’s bulk makes firm attitude when hitched point getting underway again just oh-so- up. One of the better handbooks for towing data is basic and you may need towards this Swede being a practical outfit along, but a flick of the direct its dynamics ponderous, discouraging simple. With gears back to their usual towing data, but electrical socket not deep pockets if owning one. towcar choice. Best-in-class running (though sometimes, notchy) shift into composure on the flat, a brisk blast up ideally positioned. fast cornering. Most of the judges costs, but... it’s no load carrier. the next lower gear seemed kinder. to 80mph was devoid of swaying.

12 The Caravan Club Magazine The competitors: listed in price order

Torque emission Fuel/cylinders Power (bhp@rpm) Number of gears/ Parking brake Solo combined 2 Insurance Price Body style Kerbweight Noseweight /engine size (lb ft@rpm) (hand/foot/electric)fuel consumption group Road tax UNDER £16,000 Caravan weight transmission/drive CO S˘ koda Fabia Elegance 1.6 TDI CR £14,482 HAT 1036 1219 75 D/4/1598 103@4400 185@1500-2500 5/MAN/FWD H 67.3 109 14E B Kia Venga 3 Ecodynamics 1.4 CRDi £15,690 XVR 1228 1445 75 D/4/1396 89@4000 162@1750-2750 6/MAN/FWD H 62.8 117 11 C

£16,000 – £20,000 S˘ koda Roomster Scout 1.6 TDI CR DPF £16,072 SUV 1124 1322 75 D/4/1598 103@4400 185@1500-2500 5/MAN/FWD H 60.1 124 13E D Fiat Doblo 2.0 MultiJet Eleganza £17,698 MPV 1233 1450 60 D/4/1956 135@3500 236@1500 6/MAN/FWD H 49.6 150 13 F Mitsubishi ASX 3 1.8 DI-D 2WD £19,051 XVR 1241 1460 70 D/4/1798 147@4000 221@2000-3000 6/MAN/FWD H 51.4 145 19E F Hyundai ix35 2.0 CRDi 4WD Style £19,375 XVR 1427 1679 80 D/4/1995 134@4000 236@1800-2500 6/MAN/AWD H 47.9 154 18E F

£20,000 – £25,000 Mitsubishi ASX 3 1.8 DI-D 4WD £20,551 XVR 1296 1525 70 D/4/1798 147@4000 221@2000-3000 6/MAN/AWD H 49.6 150 19E F Mazda6 2.2 Estate TS2 Diesel £21,031 EST 1275 1500 75 D/4/2183 161@3500 266@1800 6/MAN/FWD H 52,3 143 25E F Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi First Edition £21,101 XVR 1490 1754 80 D/4/1995 134@4000 236@1800-2500 6/MAN/AWD H 47.1 156 13 G Volkswagen Golf Match 2.0TDI 140 £21,531 HAT 1148 1351 75 D/4/1968 138@4200 235@1750-2000 6/MAN/FWD H 58.9 126 24E D Renault Megane Sport Tourer Dynamique 1.9 dCi £21,870 EST 1161 1366 75 D/4/1870 130@3750 221@1750 6/MAN/FWD E 55.4 134 17E E Nissan Qashqai +2 n-tec 2.0 £22,070 XVR 1255 1476 75 P/4/1997 140@6000 144@4800 6/MAN/FWD H 35.3 189 22 J Vauxhall Astra 2.0CDTi SRi £22,430 HAT 1235 1453 75 D/4/1956 158@4000 258@1750 6/MAN/FWD E 58.9 127 20E D Nissan Qashqai Tekna 2.0 dCi £23,785 XVR 1292 1520 75 D/4/1994 150@4000 236@2000 6/MAN/FWD H 44.1 167 24 H Seat Exeo ST 2.0 TDI SE £23,915 EST 1330 1565 75 D/4/1968 141@4200 236@1750 6/MAN/FWD H 53.3 139 24E E Isuzu Rodeo 3.0 Denver Max LE £24,870 PUP 1607 1890 120 D/4/2999 160@3600 265@2800 5/MAN/R-AWD H 33.6 222 12A LCV Nissan Navara Tekna 2.5 dCi Double Cab £24,938 PUP 1772 2085 104 D/4/2488 185@4000 332@2000 6/MAN/R-AWD H 33.2 224 12 LCV

£25,000 – £32,000 S˘ koda Superb Estate Elegance 1.8 TSI DSG £25,223 EST 1313 1545 80 P/4/1798 158@4500 185@1500-4500 6/AUT/FWD H 38.7 170 21E J S˘ koda Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI CR £25,238 EST 1340 1577 80 D/4/1968 168@4200 258@1750-2500 6/MAN/FWD H 48.7 151 22E G Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X £26,653 HAT 1349 1587 90 D/4/1997 160@3750 263@3250 6/AUT/FWD H 50.4 149 25E F Mazda CX-7 2.2 D £27,521 SUV 1530 1800 85 D/4/2184 170@3500 295@2000 6/MAN/F-AWD H 37.7 199 32E J Subaru Legacy 2.5i SE Lineartronic £27,584 EST 1297 1526 82 P/4/2457 164@5600 169@4000 6/AUT/AWD E 33.6 196 19E J Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ecoboost Titanium X Sport Estate £27,785 EST 1360 1600 90 P/4/1999 200@6000 221@1750-4500 6/AUT/FWD H 36.7 179 26E I Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 DI-D Juro SST £28,072 SUV 1492 1755 100 D/4/2179 156@4000 280@2000 6/AUT/AWD H 38.1 192 27E J Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRTi Premium £28,135 SUV 1689 1987 80 D/4/2199 194@3800 322@1800 6/MAN/F-AWD F 38.2 197 30D J Volvo XC60 D3 DRIVe SE £29,965 SUV 1493 1756 75 D/5/1984 161@3000 295@1400-2850 6/MAN/A-FWD E 47.9 154 28 G Honda CR-V 2.2 i-DTEC EX £30,285 SUV 1500* 1848 100 D/4/2199 150@4000 258@2000 5/AUT/AWD H 38.2 195 29E H Subaru Outback 2.0 D SE NavPlus £30,879 EST 1337 1573 82 D/4/1998 148@3600 258@1800-2400 6/MAN/AWD E 44.1 167 22E H Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDi KX-3 £31,553 SUV 1707 2008 80 D/4/2199 194@3800 311@1800-2500 6/AUT/AWD F 38.2 194 13 J Nissan Pathfinder Tekna 2.5 dCi £31,978 SUV 1772 2090 120 D/4/2488 188@4000 332@2000 6/MAN/R-AWD H 33.2 224 32 K

OVER £32,000 Volvo S60 D5 SE Lux Premium £33,710 SAL 1456 1713 90 D/5/2400 202@4000 310@1500-3250 6/AUT/FWD E 44.8 166 33 H Volkswagen Caravelle SE 2.0 Bi TDI SWB £35,504 MPV 1998 2350 100 D/4/1968 178@4000 295@1500-2000 7/AUT/FWD H 35.8 208 31E K Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI BlueEfficiency Avantgarde Estate £39,300 EST 1636 1925 84 D/6/2987 231@3800 398@1600-2400 7/AUT/RWD F 39.2 192 41E J Toyota Land Cruiser LC5 3.0 D-4D £47,712 SUV 2040 2400 120 D/4/2982 171@3400 302@1600-2800 5/AUT/AWD H 34.9 214 33E K Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE £52,830 SUV 2270 2670 150 D/6/2993 241@2000 443@2000 6/AUT/AWD E 30.7 243 40 L

All figures supplied by manufacturers. Prices are for cars as tested, including manufacturer-approved towing equipment. Class winners in red. In cases where 85% of a car’s kerbweight exceeded the Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass of the heaviest caravan, excess ballast was loaded into the car. *Honda CR-V auto restricted to 1,500kg towing weight

2 1986 Ford Sierra XR 4x4 1996 Vauxhall Vectra 2.0i 16v 2005 Mazda6 2.0-D Estate TS THE JUDGES 1987 Renault 21 GTS 1997 Peugeot 406 GLX Dt 2.1 (136ps) 28 YEARS OF Driving judges this year were: Lesley Harris from Auto Express, 1988 Vauxhall Senator 3.0i CD 1998 Citroën Xantia V6 Exclusive 2006 Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XE SUCCESS 1989 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 1999 Audi A6 Avant 2.5 TDi 2007 Volvo V50 D5 Sport Amy Hodge from Caravan magazine, Sally Pepper from Go Caravan 1990 Vauxhall Cavalier 4x4 2.0i 2000 Seat Toledo V5 2008 Ford Mondeo Titanium X magazine, Danny Cobbs and Michael Le Caplain, freelance writers in PAST WINNERS OF THE TITLE 1991 Rover 416 GTi 16v 2001 Volkswagen Golf V6 4motion Estate the motoring and caravanning press, and Clive White from Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 1992 Volvo 940 SE Turbo 2002 Peugeot 406 2.2 GTX HDi Est 2009 S˘koda Superb 2.0 TDI The Caravan Club Magazine. 1993 Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 4x4 2003 S˘koda Superb V6 2.5 TDI 2010 Volkswagen Golf SE 2.0TDI Our caravanability experts were Tom Collin, John Bramham, Mick Farr ˘ 1984 Citroën BX 16 TRS 1994 Citroën Xantia 1.9 TD VSX Elegance 2011 Skoda Superb Estate and Doug King – all of whom are extremely experienced caravanners. 1985 Volvo 360 GLE 1995 Renault Laguna RT 2.0 2004 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Elegance 2.0 TDI CR

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