The winner of the 40th Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year (TCOY) awards is the ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4×4 SCR.
Having scooped first prize in the overall competition, the vehicle also triumphed in the 1400kg – 1500kg weight and family towcar categories, making it the one to beat for caravanners looking for a new car.
TCOY is the longest standing towcar testing competition in the industry and puts all the vehicles submitted through their paces during a week-long judging period at the Technical Union for the Automobile, Motorcycle and Cycle Industries’ (UTAC) Millbrook Proving Ground.
The judges were impressed with the ŠKODA Karoq, which has recently been refreshed to provide its 2023 edition with a 2.0-litre diesel engine, four-wheel drive, new styling and state-of-the-art technology.
This year’s winners:
- Caravan weight under 1200kg: Volkswagen ID.5 Style 77kWh Pro Performance 204PS
- Caravan weight 1200kg – 1300kg: ŠKODA Enyaq iV 80X Sportline
- Caravan weight 1300kg – 1400kg: Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack 2.0-litre TDI 4MOTION 200PS 7spd DSG
- Caravan weight 1400kg – 1500kg / Family towcar / Overall winner: ŠKODA Karoq Sportline 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG 4×4 SCR
- Caravan weight 1500kg – 1700kg: Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin
- Caravan weight over 1700kg: Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 8-Speed Tiptronic S
- Electric vehicle: Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor
- Plug-in hybrid vehicle: Volvo V90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6
- Large family towcar: Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Multivan Style 2.0-litre TSI 204PS 7spd DSG
Nick Lomas, director general of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said, “This year’s Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year competition was notable for the number of electric vehicles competing, and the EVs performed well against established petrol and diesel offerings.
“Meanwhile, SUVs lined up against estates and pick-ups, and even a traditional MPV was fielded. Leisure vehicle holidays are more popular than ever, it’s important that the Club continues to provide qualified and unbiased information to help all those who plan to tow to find the right towcar for their needs.”
Dan Cartwright of CaravanTimes was one of the judges of this year’s competition. He said: “There were a lot of good towcars submitted this year and picking a winner was tough. For me, the overall combination of the proven 150 engine, DSG gear box, which we know tows well, and the 4×4 traction, coupled with the Karoq’s practicality, storage, accessibility and viability just gave it that all round appeal.”
Photo credit: Unsplash/Joshua Golde
