Having a heavy trailer to tow doesn’t mean you have to buy a brand-new car to do the towing. There are many used cars that make great tow cars, even at the more affordable end of the price spectrum, and even if you want a 4x4. And that’s what we’re looking at here – the best cheap 4x4 tow cars.
For the purposes of this list, we’re defining a ‘cheap’ car as one that’s available in good condition for less than £10,000. Every car highlighted has a towing capacity of at least 2,000kg and, of course, is available with four-wheel-drive. As you’d expect, there’s an emphasis on diesel SUVs but we’ve also included some estates, a pickup truck and even a people carrier.
When buying a car that’s previously been used for towing, it’s vital the service history shows its been well looked after. That’s because lugging a trailer puts greater strain on the car’s engine, gearbox, suspension and brakes. We’ve highlighted particular things you need to look out for on some of the cars here, beyond the usual checks. If you have a towbar fitted to a used car, make sure you get a manufacturer-approved one fitted by a reputable supplier.
Plush SUV capable of hard graft
£10,000 buys a second-generation Touareg – a vast improvement over its flawed predecessor. It’s better to drive, more spacious and practical, better built and more reliable. Indeed, it was launched at Volkswagen’s arguable peak, particularly for interior design – the Touareg’s shows Audi-like quality and user-friendliness.
The 3.0-litre V6 TDI with 240hp-plus is best for towing. Make sure the differential oil has been changed regularly and find a VW specialist to keep it healthy.
Read our full Volkswagen Touareg (2010) review
Pros
- Takes heavy loads in its stride
- Very plush interior
- Generously spacious
Cons
- Diffs need regular maintenance
- High running costs
Vast estate that can pull vast loads
The Estate body was introduced for the second-generation Superb. The 633-litre boot and vast passenger space is a particular highlight, the interior's a pleasant place to while away a long journey and top-spec models come with all the tech you really need.
Diesel 4x4 models have a towing capacity of 2,200kg and are easy to find for well under £10,000, including the rare Audi Allroad-alike Superb Outdoor. The recommended service intervals can be up to 20,000 miles; cars used for towing need much more regular maintenance.
Read our full Skoda Superb Estate (2010) review
Pros
- Massive passenger and boot space
- Deeply relaxing to drive
- Ten grand buys a very good example
Cons
- It's very big
- Long recommended service intervals
Reliable and robust caravanner’s favourite
The CR-V was and remains a completely rational mid-size SUV, if not one that tugs at the heartstrings. Even by current standards, it’s very spacious and practical, top models are generously equipped, and the driving experience is entirely undemanding.
Like many more modern diesels, the CR-V’s i-DTEC engine benefits from regular long journeys to help prevent issues developing with the fuel injectors, oil system and emissions filters.
Read our full Honda CR-V (2012) review
Pros
- Undemanding to drive
- Undemanding to own
- Big boot
Cons
- 2.2 diesel is quite thirsty
- It’s a bit boring
All those caravanners can’t be wrong?
Passenger and boot space isn’t quite as generous in the RAV4 as the CR-V, but it’s still plenty roomy enough. The interior looks rather dull, but it’s comfortable and very robust. Indeed, quality and reliability are first-rate. You need a D-4D diesel with four-wheel-drive to get a 2,000kg towing capacity.
Look for a RAV4 with lowish miles and a full service history. There’s no significant price difference between the various models, so get the highest-spec version you can find – Invincible is the top grade.
Read our full Toyota RAV4 (2013) review
Pros
- First-rate reliability
- Reasonably fuel efficient
- Relaxing driving experience
Cons
- Uninteresting interior
- Uninteresting to drive
Big family SUV ideal for towing big family caravans
Most of these second-generation Sorentos have seven seats; there’s plenty of space in all three rows but the boot is on the small side for a car this size. A 2012 update brought in higher quality interior materials. The 2.2 CRDi diesel engine is noisy when accelerating, but the Sorento rides smoothly and handles neatly enough.
Towing puts a lot of strain on a car’s gearbox and clutch, so make sure they operate smoothly in any manual Sorento with a tow bar.
Read our full Kia Sorento (2010) review
Pros
- Most models have seven seats
- Strong engine
- Smooth ride
Cons
- Manual ‘box needed for 2.5-ton towing capacity
- Tinny interior in pre-2012 models
Can still be found working hard in the countryside
The Disco has its flaws. It’s slow – even the V8 version – won’t be hurried through corners and the diesel is rather noisy. But it has massive passenger and boot space, it’s very tough, has loads of character, and you can get a good one for well under £10,000.
Look for an unmodified example with a lavish service history – Land Rover specialists can help find one. Chassis rust is the main concern, particularly where the towbar’s attached. Cherished low mileage, one owner cars are coming out of the woodwork, some super-clean V8s are being imported from Japan.
Read our full Land Rover Discovery (1998) review
Pros
- One of the most affordable ways to tow 3.5 tons
- Huge space and practicality
- Unstoppable off road
Cons
- Patience needed to find a really good one
- Thirsty and slow
Rare but worth seeking out for towing 3.5 tons
The Shogun is a bit of a truck to drive, but it’s practically unstoppable off-road and not at all uncomfortable. The five-door is immensely spacious; every model is extremely well-equipped.
Expect a £10,000 Shogun to have far exceeded 100,000 miles, but they tend to be well looked after. Check carefully underneath for chassis rust, especially if the car has previously been used off-road.
Read our full Mitsubishi Shogun (2007) review
Pros
- Five-door is extremely roomy
- Near-Land Rover off-road ability
- Usually well looked after
Cons
- Rather crude and noisy to drive
- Not many for sale
A heavy-duty truck for heavy-duty towing
It’s not particularly sophisticated, with a hard ride, noisy engines and notchy manual gearbox. But the D-Max has plenty of space for four in Double Cab models, top trim levels come very well equipped and it feels reassuringly robust. It’s extremely capable off-road, too.
Most D-Maxes work very hard for their living – look for one that’s been well cared for. Chassis rust can develop on cars regularly used off-road; the more muscular 2.5-litre diesel engine is best for towing.
Read our full Isuzu D-Max (2012) review
Pros
- Muscular 2.5 diesel engine
- Immense strength
- One-ton load bed capacity
Cons
- Most lead very hard lives
- Feels rather crude to drive
Big, posh MPV makes a luxurious tow car
The R-Class’s six-seater interior isn’t as flexible as that of other MPVs, but it’s vastly spacious and luxuriously finished. The boot’s huge, too. It’s smooth and deeply relaxing on a motorway, but the car’s sheer size can make towns a bit stressy.
Mercedes’ of this era are generally very reliable as long as they’ve been properly maintained. Check the service history carefully, make sure all the electrics and air suspension (if fitted) work properly. Four-wheel-drive models are badged 4Matic.
Read our full Mercedes-Benz R-Class review
Pros
- Spacious for six
- Torquey six-cylinder diesels
- Superbly comfortable
Cons
- Sheer size of the thing
- Frequent fuel station visits
Premium estate that’s easy to find with four-wheel-drive
It may not be as practical as the E-Class Estate, but the A6 Avant still has a generous boot and ample space for four adults. Interior design is a particular highlight – the dashboard is brilliantly user-friendly and material quality exceptional. The car’s a great long-distance cruiser, too.
Any V6 diesel A6 Avant within our budget will have done a lot of miles, so make sure the service history stacks up. Avoid cars with air suspension, which can develop expensive problems.
Read our full Audi A6 Avant (2011) review
Pros
- Smooth, powerful V6 diesels
- User-friendly interior
- Long-distance comfort
Cons
- Problem-prone air suspension
- Boot on the small side
More help finding the best used cars to buy
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From £1,000 superminis to people carriers, we cover all mainstream corners of the used car market.
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