The Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI, which will arrive in Oz later this year, has just been awarded a tow car of the year award in the UK.
THE CARAVAN AND MOTORHOME Club in the UK has been running its tow car of the year award for more than 30 years and it’s rated the overall winner of its 2018 competition the Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 4×4. More than 40 vehicles were included in the judging: seven price classes, two weight categories and a newly-introduced Pick-Up category, with winning vehicles coming from ŠKODA, SsangYong, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Price class awards in the competition went to: SsangYong Korando SE 4×4 MY17; Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport SRi NAV 1.6 136PS Turbo D ecoTEC; ŠKODA Octavia Estate Scout 2.0 TDI 150PS 4×4; Volkswagen Golf Estate Alltrack 2.0TDI 4MOTION 184PS DSG; ŠKODA Kodiaq SE L 2.0 TDI 4×4 DSG 190PS; Volvo XC60 D4 Inscription and Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Momentum.
All-wheel drive vehicles competed in two additional weight categories: ‘Under 1800kg’ and ‘Over 1800kg’. Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine Momentum took the ‘Over 1800kg’ prize, while the ŠKODA Kodiaq SE L 2.0 TDI 4×4 DSG 190PS took first place in the ‘Under 1800kg’ category. The newly-introduced Pick-Up category was won by the Volkswagen Amarok Highline 3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION.
There were seven driving judges who evaluated the vehicles based on their dynamic ability as well as their ergonomic qualities and suitability as a ‘caravanners’ vehicle, meaning how well it can accommodate additional ‘holiday’ gear, and the quality of towing information available in its handbook.
Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan and Motorhome Club Chairman, said: “As Europe’s premier touring Club, it always gives a sense of pride to see this leading competition be so well supported by the car manufacturing industry. The 44 entrants gave the judges a challenging time in selecting the winners – the winning manufacturers should take great satisfaction from their achievements. This competition is designed to provide the most up-to-date and relevant information for the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s one million members to ensure we ease their purchasing process so they can make their decision in the knowledge they have all the information they require to buy their perfect towcar; and enjoy inspiring and adventurous holidays.”
It’s worth noting that the Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 4×4 offers a maximum braked towing capacity of 2000kg but a lowball download of only 100kg. So, if you’re adhering to the 10% rule, then the maximum weight of the trailer would be 1000kg, and unbalancing a heavier trailer to achieve that 100kg lowball download would result in dangerous trailer sway when towing. The payload is 675 (which includes the driver) while the kerb weight is 1705kg and the total weight 2305kg.
