It was tough to separate the Volkswagen Passat Estate and the Skoda Superb. In the end the Skoda’s value for money made it this year’s class winner, but last year’s overall champion is still a brilliant tow car.

Our performance test driver couldn’t separate the two, giving both equal scores. In the lane-change test, the VW Passat proved excellent at all speeds, staying in control despite sliding from the tourer. The brakes were also well up to the job of slowing car and caravan from 30mph, needing just 9.9 metres to come to a stop. Acceleration was strong, with the Passat taking just 12.6 metres to go from 30-60mph.

Above all else, it’s the Passat’s stability at speed which made it our overall winner in 2015, and 12 months on nothing has changed. It’s still resolute and secure at 60mph and beyond. Crosswinds fail to upset the VW, and it recovers well from short, sharp steering inputs.

In wet weather, better traction would have helped the Passat with the hill start, but otherwise the combination of an electronic parking brake, a strong engine, and the DSG automatic transmission made life easy, and the VW also coped well with a hill when reversing. Talking of reversing, a Trailer Assist system to help steer the caravan onto its pitch is available as an option.

Inside, the cabin is well made, putting some more expensive cars to shame. It’s roomy and practical, too, although the Skoda Superb has even more rear legroom.

There’s 650 litres for your holiday bags with the rear seats upright, and VW advises that the space saver spare wheel can be used when towing, if required.