What car is best for towing in Ireland? A 2025 guide to petrol, diesel and electric options

Irish Examiner

10-05-2025

Towing is something that thousands of Irish motorists need to do each year. Whether it be for a caravan, a boat or something between the two, towing with your car can unlock a whole new range of adventures and pursuits.
Likewise, for businesses, towing can sometimes make a difference.
Here, we're going to check out some of the very best tow cars available today.
Skoda Superb Estate
Skoda Superb Estate.
Skoda's Superb Estate has been a longtime tow car favourite and the latest model looks to continue this.
Inside, you'll find a smart and well-appointed cabin with lots of equipment regardless of which specification you opt for. Skoda's handy 'Smart Dials' allow quick and easy changes of settings such as fan speed and audio volume, too.
But importantly, it's got the right skills when it comes to towing, too. It has an outright towing capacity of 2,000kg when equipped with a 2.0-litre diesel engine, while that engine means that the Superb never feels out of puff.
Kia Sorento
Kia Sorento.
Similar to the Superb Estate, Kia's Sorento has routinely proven to be a big-hitter tow car. The comfortable seven-seater offers a lot of space inside, while Kia's seven-year warranty is a great addition for those who want some added peace of mind.
Its maximum tow weight of 2,500kg is impressive, while the 2.2-litre diesel engine provides enough performance to easily climb steeper inclines.
Volvo V90
Volvo V90.
There was a lot of outcry when Volvo first decided that it would no longer sell its popular estate cars in Ireland, but that decision was quickly reversed to bring both the smaller V60 and this car – the V90 – back to dealerships.
The V90 is a popular option among those who need to tow, while its spacious boot means it's got plenty of space to offer too.
Opt for the current T6 and you'll get a maximum towing capacity of 2,500kg, while high-res cameras can help out when parking.
Nissan X-Trail
Nissan X-Trail.
The X-Trail could be seen as the adventure-ready sister to the popular Qashqai, with this five- or seven-seater's versatility and spaciousness being key plus-points.
It's also available with Nissan's clever e4orce all-wheel-drive technology, which will come in particularly useful when you need to start towing.
It's got a respectable maximum tow weight of 1,800kg, too, which means it should be able to handle most towing jobs.
Kia EV9
Kia EV9.
You may not think that an electric car would be able to handle the demands of towing, but the EV9 goes against this.
It's the largest EV that Kia currently makes and, courtesy of a dual motor setup, it's an electric vehicle with a lot of performance to offer.
It has a maximum tow weight of 2,500kg, so it'll be suitable for all types of tasks. While the 561km headline range is impressive, you'll likely get significantly lower than this when towing – so it's worth bearing in mind.
Volkswagen ID.7 GTX
Volkswagen ID.7.
Another electric tow car option is the Volkswagen ID.7. It's one of the brand's latest EVs and brings with it a well-finished interior with lots of the latest technology.
When you're not towing, the ID.7 also offers a refined driving experience with minimal wind and road noise.
Opt for the dual-motor GTX version and you'll get a maximum towing capacity of 1,200kg, too, which is ideal for smaller caravans and boats. It's more than the 1,000kg capacity you'll get from the non-GTX version, too.
Volkswagen Touareg
The Touareg was Volkswagen's first premium SUV and from the very start, it's a car which has proven its ability to tow.
Famously, back in 2006, a V10 diesel-powered Touareg was used to tow a Boeing 747 simply to showcase the car's towing abilities.
But even if you want to tow something a little more ordinary, the latest Touareg is more than up to the challenge. It's got a maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg.
Read More
Essential electric vehicle tips for Irish road trips and motorway driving