London, 20 September 2024 – The Volvo XC60 T6 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Plus has claimed the top honor at this year’s Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2025 Awards, securing the overall trophy and winning three other categories: Caravan weight over 1800kg, Family Towcars, and Hybrid Towcars. This prestigious award solidifies Volvo’s position at the forefront of hybrid towcar technology and performance.
Volvo’s Towing Powerhouse
The Volvo XC60 T6 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Plus impressed the judging panel with its effortless performance, towing capability, ease of driving, and premium interior comfort, making it an ideal choice for discerning caravanners. One judge described it as “a really impressive towcar with effortless performance on all parts of the circuit,” praising its ability to carry family-sized luggage and maintain a stable stance while hitched to large caravans. Its luxurious design and practicality only add to its appeal, making it the standout vehicle in a highly competitive field.
The Towcar of the Year Awards: A Benchmark for Excellence
Organized by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, the Towcar of the Year Awards is the leisure vehicle industry’s longest-standing and most respected towcar testing competition. This year’s event saw 33 entrants rigorously tested at the UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground, renowned for its world-class testing facilities. The awards aim to guide caravanners in selecting the best vehicles for their towing needs, with categories based on caravan weight rather than price to make it easier for buyers to match a car to their specific requirements.
Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, emphasized the importance of these awards: “Our panel of independent judges provides professional, qualified, and unbiased information to help everyone who plans to buy a towing vehicle. Leisure vehicle holidays continue to be hugely popular, and we know our 1 million+ members eagerly await the results of these awards to help them make informed decisions.”
Electrification Shines Through
This year’s competition highlighted the increasing dominance of electric and hybrid vehicles, with six plug-in hybrids and nine fully electric cars among the entrants. The rise of electric power is reshaping the landscape of towing, with vehicles like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 Ultimate and BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro Touring winning accolades for their smooth performance, fast charging capabilities, and spacious interiors.
The BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro Touring, the first-ever electric 5 Series, made waves by taking home both the Electric Towcar and Luxury Towcar category awards, offering a claimed solo range of 324 miles and an ultra-refined drive. Meanwhile, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 Ultimate continued to impress with its futuristic design, impressive range, and advanced battery technology.
A Diverse Field of Competitors
The competition showcased a wide range of vehicles, from estate cars to luxury SUVs, and even hard-core 4x4s like the Ineos Grenadier. Each vehicle was subjected to a battery of rigorous tests, designed to evaluate real-world towing performance in challenging environments. Cars were put through their paces on UTAC Millbrook’s Alpine route, tested on steep gradients, and subjected to high-speed stability assessments. The focus wasn’t just on towing power but also on comfort, handling, and the all-important reversing test, a crucial skill for any caravanner.
The judges also considered each vehicle’s “caravanability” – a term used to describe how well a car can accommodate all the gear necessary for a successful caravan trip. This included evaluating boot space, towball height, and overall practicality.
The Full Line-up of Winners
In addition to the Volvo XC60’s triumph, other winners included:
- Volkswagen ID.7 Match Pro 77kWh 286PS: Winner of the Caravan weight under 1200kg category, thanks to its spacious interior, supple ride, and long-range electric capabilities.
- Volkswagen Golf Estate Style 1.5 eTSI 150PS DSG: Topped the Caravan weight 1200kg – 1300kg category, praised for its nimble handling and practical design.
- ŠKODA Superb Estate 1.5 TSi e-TEC 150PS DSG: Took home the Caravan weight 1300kg – 1500kg award, admired for its limousine-like rear legroom and stable towing performance.
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 Ultimate 77.4kWh 328PS AWD: Won the Caravan weight 1600kg – 1700kg category for its smooth performance and spacious interior.
- Volkswagen Amarok PanAmericana 3.0 TDI 4MOTION 240PS: Best Pick-Up Towcar, recognized for its blend of rugged capability and luxurious interior.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Towcars
As electric and hybrid powertrains continue to evolve, the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards offer a glimpse into the future of towing. Vehicles like the Volvo XC60 T6 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Plus are proving that eco-conscious driving and powerful towing capabilities can go hand in hand, while electric contenders like the BMW i5 and Hyundai IONIQ 5 signal that the future of towing is electric.
For a full breakdown of the results and technical details, visit camc.com/towcar.
Conclusion
The Volvo XC60 T6 Plug-in Hybrid AWD Plus’ win as Towcar of the Year 2025 underscores its status as a top-tier choice for modern caravanners. Its blend of performance, practicality, and luxury ensures it remains at the forefront of hybrid towing solutions, offering a premium experience for those seeking adventure on the open road.
