Which petrol SUVs are best for towing?

I currently drive a 2013 2.0 petrol manual AWD Honda CR-V. My short commute dictates a petrol engine. It's both thirsty (35mpg) and underpowered when towing our camping trailer with a boot full of kit and four on board, but otherwise excellent. Are there any other petrol SUV's that would make a better job of towing and perhaps be more frugal with fuel? I was thinking either a RAV4 hybrid or Lexus NX. What do you think?

Asked on 4 September 2016 by Jim

Answered by Honest John

We got 43.46mpg on the meter in the Alps out of an X-Trail 1.6DIG-T: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/nissan/nissan-x-tr.../ Don't yet know about the RAV-4 hybrid, but should give more than 40mpg. I got high 40s out of a Qashqai 1.2DIG-T but it's long geared and doesn't have the power to tow. The cheap, cheap alternative is a Dacia Duster 1.2 TCe 125 Lauriate that is geared to tow but only gave me high 30s mpg: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/dacia/dacia-duster.../ Of course there's also the plug-in option of the Outlander PHEV: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mitsubishi/mitsubi.../

Tags: towing buying a new car suvs

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