If you think it’s predictable that the Škoda Octavia has won our lightest weight class, you’d be quite right. This is win number six.

But those who are paying close attention will notice something that has never happened before – a petrol tow car has won its weight class for the first time in the 13-year history of the Tow Car Awards.

Every car we tested in 2019’s lightest weight class is a petrol, but don’t let that give you the impression this is a soft victory. The Octavia 1.5 TSI wins on merit.

Forget about any notion of a petrol engine being gutless and needing to be revved hard when towing. This 1.5-litre engine has 184lb ft of torque, enough to pull a van weighted to 85% of the car’s kerbweight in a lively 10.6 seconds.

Our hill-start test shows up any weakness from the engine and transmission, but for a relatively light petrol car, the Octavia handled the test very well.

It pulled up the 1-in-6 slope without complaint, with the DSG auto saving the driver from having to finesse throttle and clutch. However, some drivers noticed a hot smell after reversing a short distance up the far slope.

For a relatively small car with a low kerbweight, the Octavia is stable at speed. It copes very well with emergency braking, too, stopping from 30mph in 11.4 metres.

Many small cars found the lane-change test a struggle, but light and accurate steering made the Octavia very easy to place, although the car leaned heavily when really pushed.

The likes of the Nissan Qashqai run the Škoda close as a tow car, but as a vehicle to live with every day, the Octavia has a clear edge over the competition.

The huge boot has room for a full load of holiday luggage, and rear-seat space is more generous than you’re going to find in many much larger cars.

Combine that with keen pricing, generous equipment and low running costs, and you have a worthy winner.

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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