Hyundai Sante Fe 2,2 CRDi Executive AT
The Sante Fe’s power output of 145 kW is more than enough for towing and the mass of 1 822 kg places it midway in the line-up. The six-speed conventional auto does not offer a sport mode or shift paddles, but shifts can be manually actuated via the gear selector. We noticed swaying at low speeds but the vehicle was more stable at high speeds. There is a lot of suspension travel, which is good for comfort when unladen, but shock absorption could be beefed up for towing due to a bouncy ride over undulations. The ‘box also tends to hunt.
Pro: packaging
Con: gearbox hunting
Jeep Wrangler 2,8 CRD AT Unlimited
Not just serious, but very serious 4×4 ability spills over to good towing capacity, too. The VM Motori 2,8-litre engine now produces 147 kW and 460 N.m, making it the overall top-performing vehicle of the 12. The styling is classic but that old-school upright windscreen does increase wind noise. The chunky off-road tyres also battled on the wet skidpan. The suspension is firm but shock absorbers do a great job in easing the ride and 2,1 tonnes of steel means that the caravan doesn’t affect the stability of the vehicle.
Pro: top power and torque
Con: chunky tyres battle in the wet
Kia Sorento 2,2 CRDi AT
The Sorento is basically the same vehicle as the Hyundai Sante Fe; it shares that vehicle’s seven seats, the lively 2,2-litre turbodiesel that provided good acceleration with the big Jurgens behind and the six-speed automatic transmission. The refined interior and low NVH were impressive. A good all-round soft roader and tow vehicle, the only minus points are hunting through the gears (which afflicts the Hyundai, too) and a firm ride. The tyres and stability control provided good traction on the skidpan.
Pro: refined
Con: hunting through gears
The test videos:
Part 1: Read more about TowCAR of the Year here (click).
Part 2: We test the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Ford Kuga and Honda CR-V here (click).
Part 3: Videos and information of the Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Wrangler and Kia Sorento can be read here (click).
Part 4: The Land Rover Freelander, Mitsubishi Pajero and Nissan Pathfinder are tested here (click).
Part 5: Finally you can watch videos and read more about the Subaru Outback, Toyota Fortuner and Volkswagen Tiguan here (click).
