The new Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are closely related under the skin, so it’s no surprise that the two are similar as tow cars.

Both have the same engine, which has more than enough muscle to pull any sensibly matched caravan. The Tucson accelerated from 30-60mph in 11.8 seconds, and easily carried on to 70mph. The engine does sound rather gruff, though.

Stability at speed inspires confidence at 60mph and beyond. Once up to 70mph there was some slight movement from the caravan, but nothing alarming.

The lane-change test caused no trouble for the Hyundai. As we pushed harder and faster the caravan began to slide, but it never pulled the Tucson off line.

The conventional handbrake held car and caravan still on a 1-in-6 slope without needing undue force, and the Hyundai easily pulled to the top.

As a car to live with everyday, we’d prefer a more settled and serene ride, but the Tucson handles neatly.

Inside, there’s reasonable head and legroom front and rear, and a high level of standard equipment. We were impressed to find room for every item of our testing load of holiday luggage, especially as the Tucson has a full-size spare wheel under the floor.

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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