Even for a lightweight petrol tow car, the Citroën C3 Aircross’s legal towing limit of just 840kg is very low.

What the Citroën can tow, it tows reasonably well. We had no issues hustling the C3 Aircross through the lane-change test, even with the trailer sliding behind it the car remained on course and under control.

Data from the Al-Ko ATC sensors showed little sign of instability when slowing from high speeds, either.

However, performance is steady despite only towing a lightweight trailer. The lane-change test was something of a challenge, too.

The handbrake needed a firm pull to stop car and trailer rolling backwards and it took a careful balance of clutch and throttle to coax the Citroën to the top of the gradient.

It’s not an especially practical tow car. We found room for less than half our load of typical holiday luggage, despite the sliding rear seat and the facility to lower the boot floor.

However, there’s no trailer stability system and the handbook is short on data and advice for tow car drivers.

In solo driving, the C3 Aircross rides softly although it can sometimes be caught out by sharp ridges in the road surface.

It’s a well equipped car and there are plenty of options to personalise the interior and exterior. However, the infotainment system is fiddly and resale values are rather weak.

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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