Towing Friendly Cars

We've chosen five great cars for towing from the Carzone.ie database.

1 - Hyundai Santa Fe

Year: 2005
List price: €3,500
Owners: 1
Mileage: 297,729km
Engine: 2.0 diesel
Location: Mayo

You don't have to spend a fortune on a newer car suitable for towing, and there's a lot of merit in buying an older car for a lot less to keep just as a workhorse. This first generation Hyundai Santa Fe fits the bill at just €3,500 and it's quite unusual for its age in that it has had just the one owner. Sure, the mileage is relatively high, but the seller says it has been mostly on motorway and the car seems well looked after with a new clutch, timing belt, battery and tyres recently. It's powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine and has the all-important four-wheel drive, so towing capacity is about 2,000kg. There's already a tow bar fitted too.

2 - Kia Sorento

Year: 2011
List price: €13,000
Owners: 2
Mileage: 180,000km
Engine: 2.2 diesel
Location: Kildare

Up your budget a tad and no doubt you'll be hoping for a more modern car with a few toys, as well as one that can do some serious towing when needs be. We found this immaculate 2011 Kia Sorento on sale that's worth a look. It has a tow bar and the seller promises it has only been used to mount a bicycle carrier, but even so, as with all tow cars, make sure there is no unwanted vibration or shudder through the driveline. This Sorento has an automatic transmission so no worries on the worn clutch front. It has a powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine and four-wheel drive to make towing easier in all conditions.

3 - Nissan Navara

Year: 2014
List price: €26,895
Owners: 1
Mileage: 94,865km
Engine: 2.5 diesel
Location: Cork

Now, with more money to spend and a focus more on the utility side of things, we've found this tempting looking Nissan Navara double cab with a tow bar fitted, for €26,895. The seller also has a rear canopy you can buy if you fancy it, to cover the load bay in the back. Crucially, this car still has some of its manufacturer's warranty intact and it's well-equipped for what is essentially a commercial vehicle. You'll have to put up with a less refined driving experience than most of the other cars here, but the Navara can tow up to 3,500kg, which is more than most will ever need.

4 - Toyota Land Cruiser V8

Year: 2015
List price: €98,400
Owners: 1
Mileage: 10,622km
Engine: 4.4 diesel
Location: Kildare

We think we may have found the ultimate tow car for the Irish market. Obviously it comes with an 'ultimate' price take too, at not far off €100,000, but this V8-engined Toyota Land Cruiser is arguably worth every cent. It's only a few months old, which explains the low mileage, so it looks like new inside and out. The V8 Land Cruiser has always stood apart from the rest of the range as something more special, a luxury car perhaps better suited to a Lexus badge than a Toyota one, with its leather upholstery and heated seats even in the second row. Don't let such fripperies fool you though, as this Land Cruiser is as tough and capable as any other. Its 4.4-litre diesel engine will make light work of any load you care to hook up to the removable tow bar as well.

5 - Mazda CX-7

Year: 2008
List price: €8,800
Owners: 4
Mileage: 109,000km
Engine: 2.3 petrol
Location: Dublin

Here's our wildcard entry, a petrol-powered Mazda CX-7 SUV. Don't turn your noses up just yet… The CX-7 is a good car, with great reliability and it's fun to drive for an SUV. Clearly petrol power won't suit everyone, but for those not planning on long journeys regularly, a petrol engine might help keep maintenance costs down and worries about DPF problems at bay. The CX-7 is well-equipped inside, with such niceties as leather seats and a Bose stereo, while the seller says he fitted a detachable tow bar only a month ago. Well worth a look if you're not completely against the idea of a petrol alternative.