What SUV do you recommend for towing?

I need to replace my 2016 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi with something (petrol) that can tow at least 2500 kg. I am torn between getting a reliable, robust SUV for towing, at least Euro4, low mileage, which I will keep for towing and long journeys + a small petrol/EV for local journeys or getting a big Euro6 oil burner/hybrid as my sole car.

I worry about the effect of short journeys on my diesel, although it probably gets plenty of decent runs because I have yet to have any DPF issues. It seems to make more sense to run about, day to day, in something small, cheap and with lower cost per mile, but then there's the cost of running two. Is a petrol better than a diesel for a second car that would only do about 2/3k miles per year (as a second car)?

Your perspective would be welcome, as well as any suggestions for the petrol SUV - bonus points for six cylinder appreciating classics!

Asked on 24 April 2025 by M H

Answered by Matt Robinson
If you can avoid owning two cars, it's for the best - the costs can quickly mount. We wouldn't worry about using diesels for shorter journeys so long as they're taken on longer stints every so often to ensure the DPF regenerates properly.

If it's a diesel SUV, the Kia Sorento 2.2 can tow up to 2500kg and could be worth a look, and it's the same for the related Hyundai Santa Fe. We'd probably stick with diesel - your choice is much more limited in terms of petrol cars that can tow 2500kg. That said, the BMW X5 has a good towing capacity across the board (both the current model and the previous-generation version), and you can get one with a six-cylinder petrol. A six-cylinder petrol X5 towing a heavy load won't be particularly economical, of course..
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