Best buy over £32k

Last year’s winner, the Mercedes E350 CDI Estate, is one of the best tow cars in the world. But our judges think VW’s Touareg is better. In 3.0 TDI form it takes the £32,000-plus honours.

The armchair-like seats and raised driving position provide relaxing cruising. And once it’s hitched to one of Bailey’s largest caravans – the Unicorn Barcelona – the SUV comes into its own.

The gutsy 3.0-litre V6 pulls the caravan easily, while the Touareg offers rock-solid stability and a comfortable ride whatever your speed. The seamless eight-speed Tiptronic box makes it simple to keep the engine on the boil, while the Touareg is agile considering its size. And the huge proportions mean great practicality, with a 580-litre boot and rear seats that slide and recline.

Permanent 4WD, hill descent control and differential locks take the sting out of muddy campsites, while cruise control, sat-nav, stop-start and heated seats also feature. Our car had the £1,335 Area View option, including Trailer Hitch Assist; this relays a bird’s eye view of the area behind the car on to the central display, for easy hitching.

Over £32k finalists

1. VW Touareg Escape 3.0 V6 TDI (240) 8-spd Tiptronic

2. Mercedes E350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Avantgarde Estate

3. Volvo V60 D5 AWD Volvo Ocean Race

4. Volvo XC70 D3 AWD Volvo Ocean Race

5. SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI CR (170) DSG SE Lux

6. Mercedes C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Estate Sport

7. Nissan Navara 3.0 dCi V6 Outlaw DoubleCab

8. Infiniti FX30d S

9. Mercedes G350 BlueTEC LWB