You won’t find too many seven-seat MPVs with four-wheel drive and a kerbweight of over two tonnes. In fact, we’re hard-pressed to think of a like-for-like rival for the SsangYong Turismo.

It may be something of an oddball, but the Turismo makes a reasonable tow car for the right buyer. The SsangYong needed a few steering corrections in windy conditions at 60mph or beyond, but nothing untoward. However, in the lane-change test the Turismo leaned heavily and struggled to keep the van under control.

The 2.0-litre engine has its work cut out towing a big twin-axle caravan, as the 30-60mph time of 22.7 seconds shows. The SsangYong stops better than it goes, with a short stopping distance of 10.8m from 30mph.

Leave the van behind and the Turismo’s engine feels less strained, but it’s a ponderous car to drive, with slow-witted steering and a bouncy low-speed ride.

Inside, the SsangYong offers something that almost no MPV does: space for seven and their bags. With the rearmost seats slid forward we found space for a full load of holiday luggage.

With a price tage of £23,995, a long list of standard kit and a five-year warranty, the Turismo is good value. The range starts from £17,995, but it’s worth noting that only the range-topping version tested here has switchable four-wheel drive.

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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