Travel: Feel the power and the pull of the open road

LOOKING for a new towcar? A good car doesn’t necessarily make a good towcar. So ignore 0-60mph times, racing car-like handling or the latest gizmos – great weights, a lusty, low revving engine and a good rear suspension are what really count.

The five towcars featured here are a mix to suit all pockets.

Land Rover Discovery 4

Admittedly, not everybody has generous employers or deep enough pockets to drive this brilliant 4x4, but if you have the cash then you’ll have one of the best towcars ever.

The Discovery weighs more than four tonnes so will be able to cope with towing even the largest of twin-axle tourers, and the superb 150kg towball weight helps. But it doesn’t convey the sense of safety and satisfaction you get driving this Land Rover, either hitched up or solo, where its off-road ability is matched by on-road executive-style comfort and refinement.

The engine, also shared with Jaguar, is a mine of pulling power offering a juggernaut-like 601Nm of torque in 3-litre guise, enabling the Discovery to outgun many so-called hot hatches, yet still return over 30mpg. Sadly, that’s the only morsel of good news because the Discovery costs a packet to buy and run, but at least reliability isn’t as shaky as it used to be with this Land Rover.

Buy a used one starting from £26,000 and rely on an independent specialist for maintenance, and it becomes a more realistic proposition.

Land Rover Discovery4 3.0 SD

Kerbweight: 2,583kg; 85 per cent match: 2,196kg; Towing limit: 3,500kg

Ford Mondeo

Scottish motor racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart lent a hand in developing the original Ford Mondeo and, 20 years on, his influence can still be felt. The latest family Ford is superb to drive with cracking handling and ride, plus refinement levels that are well up to BMW standards. It’s just as capable when towing, too.

Part of the reason for this is the excellence of the TDCi diesel engines which have power to spare, especially the 2-litre with 161bhp where the 350Nm provides impressive pull and flexibility. If that’s a bit rich, then opt for the 140 which has practically the same pull but less outright performance. For lighter towing, the 1.6 and 1.8-litre units don’t do a bad job either. If the Mondeo has a fault then it’s the sheer size the current model takes up on the road, but it does ensure great weights and masses of space.

Depreciation means buying nearly new provides better value – like a 140 “60” plate Zetec for £13,500 which cost some £21,000 a year ago…

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Zetec estate