SEAT has scooped the top award at the 39^th Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year competition but there were also big wins for the all-electric Skoda Enyaq iV 80, Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ and SsangYong Musso Rhino.

The SEAT Leon Estate FR 1.5TSI 150PS won this year’s overall trophy and also triumphed in the Caravan Weight 1,100-1,200kg category.

The judging took place at Millbrook Proving Ground’s demanding and unique track where 32 entrants were put into caravan weight categories – rather than being listed by price – to make it easier for buyers to know which cars could tow their caravans.

Cars were entered into classes using their 85 per cent kerb weight figure or by their towing limit, whichever was the lower. The competition had seven weight classes, two Family Towcar categories as well as Pick-Up, Electric and Plug in Hybrid categories.

Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said, “With the rise in popularity of the staycation, it’s more important than ever that the Club continues to provide qualified and unbiased information for it’s one million members to help them to find the right towcar for their needs.”

The complete winners’ line-up is as follows:

• Caravan Weight Under 1100kg & Electric Vehicles: ŠKODA Enyaq iV 80 Lounge 82 kWh 204 PS DSG
• Caravan Weight 1100 – 1200kg & Overall Winner: SEAT Leon Estate FR 1.5TSI 150PS
• Caravan Weight 1200 – 1300kg: Volkswagen Golf R-Line 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG
• Caravan Weight 1300–1400kg: Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ (Xtronic)
• Caravan Weight 1400–1500kg: Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake R-Line 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG
• Caravan Weight 1500–1700kg: Volvo XC40 Recharge pure electric AWD
• Caravan Weight Over 1700kg: Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 8-Speed Tiptronic S
• Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: Volvo V60 Recharge plug-in hybrid T6 AWD
• Family Towcar: Ford Kuga ST-Line X Diesel mhev
• Large Family Towcar: Ford S-Max FHEV ST-Line
• Pick-up: SsangYong P Musso Rhino Auto

Caravanability judges tested whether a car’s boot could swallow the bulky accessories normally needed on a caravan trip. They also measured the towball height, both solo and hitched up, and checked the towing information provided in the manufacturer’s handbook.

The cars were then hitched up to caravans ballasted to 85 per cent of their kerbweight, or towing limit if lower. Using specialised apparatus the technical judges then measured the cars’ acceleration and braking capabilities.