The Audi Q7 is a superb tow car, and only narrowly falls short of beating the Land Rover Discovery. The judges argued long and hard over which was the better car.

For company car drivers, the Q7 is a much more tax-efficient choice. It sits a full seven benefit-in-kind tax bands lower than the Discovery at 2016-17 rates.

The Audi’s cabin also shows older 4x4s like the Land Rover a thing or two. It feels more plush inside, more modern, and the infotainment system is both easy to use and much easier on the eye than the Discovery’s system.

It doesn’t quite do enough to win the heavyweight class, though. In the lane-change test it was fine on the first two runs, but started to get out of shape on the third and fastest attempt. The Al-Ko ATC stability system also detected some slight movement when slowing down from high speeds.

Acceleration is really punchy, though, needing just 8.8 seconds to go from 30-60mph. The brakes were just as impressive, needing only 10.1 metres to bring car and caravan to a halt from 30mph. And the hill start? Simplicity itself for a car with so much power and torque.

With or without a caravan in tow, ride comfort is superb with the optional air suspension fitted to our test car. And although the Audi has a repair kit rather than a proper spare wheel, most of the other practical features we look for in a tow car were present and correct.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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