The 2014 TowCAR of the Year competition, brought to you by Campworld, in conjunction with Forever Resorts and CAR and Leisure Wheels magazines is nearing its end. The winner will be announced next week. Below you can find information regarding all the competitors. We’ll also be uploading short videos on every contestant over the next few days. You can find them in our “Videos” section.
Drifting a rear-wheel-driven car on a slippery skidpan is a skill that takes some practice. There’s a fine balance between too much and too little throttle input, but there exists a sweet spot in between where you can hold the vehicle in that drift, all the way around a skidpan.
You can even do this with very little steering input if you have enough horses under the bonnet. By using the throttle you can steer and change the direction of the vehicle with its rear wheels.
But adding a Jurgens Penta caravan to the skidpan equation is a whole new ballgame. At first it’s a very scary experience, watching in the mirror as a big caravan turns sideways behind the vehicle you are driving!
Indeed, a six-metre long caravan, weighing in at 1,2 tons, skidding very sideways on a skidpan behind the tow vehicle is a daunting prospect. But it was all part of our effort to ensure that the panel of judges for the latest TowCAR of the Year competition tested the 12 SUVs in the line-up to their limits — and a little bit beyond them.
The skidpan exercise was specifically designed to test standard stability and traction control systems, as well as trailer sway assist systems, when grip is lost. Some of the SUVs really excelled, and others didn’t cope well at all.
As you can imagine, drifting an SUV with a large caravan attached to it requires a reasonable amount of space. So we based our test at the Boekenhoutkloof Traffic College, near Pretoria. This is where all traffic officers are instructed in the fine art of, well, being a traffic officer driving a government vehicle. It’s also where the police’s so-called blue light brigade hone their hand-brake turns, reverse 180s, and so on.
More importantly, this venue has what is said to be the largest skidpan in SA, and it’s probably also the most slippery.
The college also has a big figure of eight track, where we could do high-speed cornering, simulated pull-offs on inclines, slalom and reverse tests – all in a safe and controlled environment.
To simulate typical on-road driving situations, we added 60kg of weight to each Jurgens Penta, and 60kg to each SUV. The judges then had to drive the rigs on a 10km tar road section, ranging in surface from smooth to extremely undulating. Each judge drove the same 10km route, to best compare the different vehicles.
This year we simplified the scoring system, and there were 10 categories. They were: exterior, interior, handling, stability, engine, gearbox, braking, parking, cruising ability and value for money. A maximum of 10 points had to be allocated in each category.
All the testing was done in a single session, which made for one very long and tiring day in the saddle. However, it did ensure that all the SUVs were tested in mostly the same weather conditions.
Anyway, let’s get down to business, and introduce you briefly to the 12 sport utility vehicles in this test (in alphabetical order), as well as the eight judges who will ultimately decide the outcome of the test:
Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8LTZ 4×4 AT
The European-designed Chevy has, on paper, the firepower to be a great towing vehicle. Its 2,8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel-engine produces 132 kW and a very handy 470 Nm of torque at 2000r/min. In default driving mode, the power is transferred to the rear wheels only via a six-speed automatic gearbox with a manual function.
The seven-seater Trailblazer gets all the latest active safety kit, including stability and traction control, as well as trailer-sway control.
Based on a tough ladder-frame chassis and with a transfer case that features the options of 2H, 4H and 4Low, the big Chevrolet has a tow rating of 2 950kg.
In short
Engine: 2,8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Six-speed automatic
Power: 132 kW @ 3800r/min
Torque: 470 Nm @ 2000r/min
4×4 system: Part-time, 2H, 4H and 4Low
Towing electronic aids: Stability and trailer sway control
Tow rating: 2950kg
Price (standard): R489 000
Good: “Very decent torque, and on-road stability is good.” – Lerato Matebese
Bad: “Engine is noisy under load, and not very refined.” – Basil Mann
Ford Kuga 2.0TDCi Titanium AWD
The latest Kuga, with its sleek new look, and with enough electronic gadgets to keep most computer geeks content, seems to pack a surprisingly potent punch.
On paper its 120 kW and 340 Nm two-litre engine seems outgunned, but these are the same numbers that the best-selling Toyota Fortuner delivers. Counting in the Ford’s favour is the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox that Ford calls Speedshift. The gearbox manages to keep the free-revving engine in the right zones 98% of the time.
In fact, this Kuga has a very sporty edge about it, what with the response steering feedback, the electronically regulated AWD system, the handling, that quick-shifting gearbox and the engine that doesn’t mind revving.
The Kuga is rated to tow 1500kg, and also gets stability control with trailer sway assist.
In short
Engine: 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Six-speed automatic
Power: 120 kW @ 3750r/min
Torque: 340 Nm @ 2000r/min
4×4 system: Permanent, variable torque distribution
Towing electronic aids: Stability and trailer sway control
Tow rating: 1500kg
Price (standard): R418 900
Good: “Pleasant surprise with good engine, gearbox and ride quality.” — Lerato Matebese
Bad: “Clutch-slip during pull off, and I’m not convinced about the long-term durability of the dual-clutch system towing a caravan.” – Peter Palm.
Honda CRV 2.2 i-DTEC Elegance AT
If ever there was a “Boy next door that you can trust with your teenage daughter” title in the SUV segment, the Honda CRV would most probably wear the crown. Over the years it has built up a rock solid reputation for doing exactly what its driver wants it to do, when the driver wants to do it. So it’s Mr Dependable in this line-up, and it certainly is very efficient.
On the flipside, some punters will find those dependable qualities boring and dull. For some, the Honda may be just a tad too efficient, simple and lacking in character.
The towing numbers are good, though. The modern 2,2-litre turbodiesel delivers 110 kW and 350 Nm of torque, sent to all four wheels via a five-speed automatic gearbox. It has a tow rating of 1500kg, and is equipped with stability control.
In short
Engine: 2,2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Five-speed automatic
Power: 110 kW @ 4000r/min
Torque: 350 Nm @ 2000r/min
4×4 system: Permanent, variable torque distribution
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 1500kg
Price (standard): R441 200
Good: “The CRV is an old faithful – comfortable and reliable.” – Anzet du Plessis.
Bad: “The suspension was very bouncy with the caravan in tow.” – Basil Mann.
Hyundai Santa Fe R2.2 AWD Executive
Korean manufacturer Hyundai has come such a long way with its product development, styling and quality that it is hard to believe that the original Hyundai Scoupe in the nineties hailed from the same company.
With German designer Peter Schreyer in charge of styling and having a hand in quality control, the company has really turned a major corner and is churning out big seller after big seller.
The Santa Fe is no exception. Big on styling, big on features in the modern cabin, big on performance from the 2,2-litre turbodiesel engine, and surprisingly big on quality, this SUV has a lot going for it.
With 145 kW and 436 Nm of torque, combined with a tow rating of 2000kg, the Hyundai – on paper – seems to be at the sharp end of this competition.
In short
Engine: 2,2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Six-speed automatic
Power: 145 kW @ 3800r/min
Torque: 436 Nm @ 1800r/min
4×4 system: Permanent, variable torque distribution
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 2000kg
Price (standard): R502 900
Good: “Great engine and refinement!” – Lerato Matebese.
Bad: “I found the suspension a little bit too firm over some bumps.” – Jakes Jacobs
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.8CRD AT
Since the Jeep Cherokee is due for replacement early in 2014, the Wrangler was chosen for this test. And it was certainly not a bad thing. The Wrangler 2.8CRD was the most powerful vehicle in this test, with a combination of 147 kW and 460 Nm of torque.
Under the skin the Wrangler is all old-school 4×4. So it has the two live axles, a transfer case, plenty of wheel articulation and off-road biased traction control.
Off the beaten track it is nigh unstoppable. And that doesn’t take the Jeep completely out of the game on the road, with a big caravan hooked up, either. The combination of stability control, that powerful engine and a slick five-speed automatic gearbox is surprisingly competent. And thanks to the old-school underpinnings, the Jeep has a very impressive tow rating of 3500kg.
In short
Engine: 2,8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Five-speed automatic
Power: 147 kW @ 3800r/min
Torque: 460 Nm @ 1800r/min
4×4 system: Part-time, 2H, 4H and 4Low
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 3500kg
Price (standard): R461 990
Good: “The Jeep has plenty of power and a surprising amount of refinement.” – Tinus Breitenbach.
Bad: “The chunky all-terrain tyres did not have sufficient grip on the skidpan. Highway terrain tyres would have fared much better.” – Basil Mann
Kia Sorento 2.2 4×4 AT
Just like its sister company Hyundai, Kia has progressed in giant leaps since the original Kia Rio was introduced here many moons ago.
The Sorento, with a full-time 4WD system, is also a real looker, and shares its underpinnings and engine with the Hyundai Santa Fe. So it gets the same 145 kW and 436 Nm 2,2-litre turbodiesel engine under the sleek bonnet. It certainly seems to have the firepower to take on the likes of the Fortuner.
The interior is classy and modern. Quality is really good, and all the bells and whistles are standard. It even has a very cool LCD display in front of the driver, which you’d expect to find only in premium SUVs selling for double the Kia’s price.
Talking about price, this Kia is not a budget-bargain buy like the original, horrible Rio. Instead, it’s a really classy, quality machine.
It has a tow rating of 2000kg, and stability control.
In short
Engine: 2,2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Six-speed automatic
Power: 145 kW @ 3800r/min
Torque: 436 Nm @ 1800r/min
4×4 system: Permanent, variable torque distribution
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 2000kg
Price (standard): R499 995
Good: “The Kia was a big surprise. I didn’t think it would be nearly as good as it turned out to be.” – Denis Droppa.
Bad: “Although the Kia generally impressed me, it was less impressive on the skidpan with the Jurgens Penta in tow.” – Lerato Matebese
Land Rover Freelander 2.2 SD4 HSE AT
The Freelander II righted many of the wrongs of the original Freelander, and recent upgrades have kept it contemporary and very much in the game.
However, we’d asked for the SD4 S model (retailing at R473 300) for this test, but unfortunately an HSE model was provided. So the Freelander HSE, loaded with kit and navigation systems, and retailing for R580 000, had to compete with much more affordable machines.
Anyway, the HSE is powered by the same engine as the S model, so there’s 140 kW and 420 Nm on tap, which is quite all right.
A six-speed automatic gearbox comes standard, as does stability control.
The Freelander also gets Land Rover’s terrain response system and permanent 4×4 drivetrain, and it is rated to tow 2000kg.
In short
Engine: 2,2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Six-speed automatic
Power: 140 kW @ 4000r/min
Torque: 420 Nm @ 2000r/min
4×4 system: Permanent, Terrain Response System
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 2000kg
Price (standard): R578 800
Good: “Excellent all-round ability with a premium feel.” – Lerato Matebese.
Bad: “Turbo lag in the lower part of the rev range was unsettling at first, but once on the roll the Landy performed much better.” – Peter Palm.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.5Di-D GLS 4×4 AT
The Pajero Sport is not a youngster anymore. Based on the tough bakkie underpinnings of the Mitsubishi Triton, the Pajero Sport was recently updated with a new engine, gearbox, trim and some small styling changes. The big news was the high power 2,5-litre turbodiesel engine, which replaced the old stalwart but long-in-the-pistons 3.2Di-D engine.
The new mill produces 131 kW and 400 Nm of torque when coupled to a manual gearbox, but maximum torque is down to 350 Newtons for the five-speed automatic version.
A major selling point is the Super Select 4×4 system, which allows the driver to run in 4WD high mode with an open centre differential. For tougher terrain, the centre diff can be locked, and there’s also 4Low and a rear differential lock.
Mitsubishi managed to keep the pricing of the revitalised Pajero Sport at the same level as the previous model. It comes standard with stability control and can tow up to 1500kg.
In short
Engine: 2,5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Five-speed automatic
Power: 131 kW @ 4000r/min
Torque: 350 Nm @ 2000r/min
4×4 system: Part-time, Super Select system
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 1500kg
Price (standard): R445 900
Good: “It sells for the same price as the outgoing model.” – Hannes Grobler
Bad: “Turbo lag at the bottom of the rev range is an issue, combined with sluggish gearbox. Not as good as I thought it would be.” – Jakes Jacobs
Nissan Pathfinder 2.5dCi SE AT
Over the years the very capable Pathfinder’s sales nemesis has been its sticker price. It was just too expensive to compete with an obvious rival like the Toyota Fortuner.
A few months ago, Nissan finally responded to this drawback by introducing the SE version. Essentially, Nissan took out the last row of seats and some luxury trim and kit and priced the automatic version at a more reasonable R475 200.
The SE is powered by the same 2,5-litre diesel engine that does service in the more expensive Pathfinders. So there’s 140 kW and 450 Nm of torque on tap, transferred in default mode to the rear wheels via a five-speed auto shifter. Rated to tow 3000kg, the big and still good looking Nissan should theoretically be a brilliant towing vehicle.
It comes standard with stability control.
In short
Engine: 2,5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Five-speed automatic
Power: 140 kW @ 4000r/min
Torque: 450 Nm @ 2000r/min
4×4 system: Part-time with 4WD AUTO, 4H, and 4Low
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 3000kg
Price (standard): R475 200
Good: “Solid, with a very strong engine and good gearbox.” – Basil Mann
Bad: “On the skidpan, the stability control was too intrusive. It completely cut the power when you needed the horses to drag the caravan out of the sway.” – Lerato Matebese
Subaru Outback 2.0D Lineartronic
The Subaru Outback, featuring the brand’s innovative boxer diesel engine, is the only SUV in this test to come standard with a continuously variable transmission, or CVT.
Subaru calls its gearbox Lineartronic, and it’s quite unlike normal CVT gearboxes. This ’box has seven steps (or simulated gears, if you like), so when you drive, it “shifts” through the seven steps just like a normal automatic gearbox would shift through its seven gears. The result is surprisingly good.
The boxer engine delivers only 110 kW and 350 Nm, but in combination with the gearbox it utilises the power it has very impressively
It’s a pity this engine/gearbox combination is not yet available in the Forester, but the Outback managed to fly the Subaru flag high in this competition.
It has a tow rating of 1700kg, and comes standard with stability control.
In short
Engine: 2,0-litre four-cylinder boxer turbodiesel
Gearbox: Seven-speed CVT
Power: 110 kW @ 3600r/min
Torque: 350 Nm @ 1800r/min
4×4 system: Permanent, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 1700kg
Price (standard): R469 000
Good: “Very impressive. It is controlled, quiet, smooth and handles very well.” – Anzet du Plessis.
Bad: “It is outpunched in the power game by some of the other SUVs.” – Denis Droppa
Toyota Fortuner 3.0D4-D 4×4 Limited Edition AT
The Fortuner is the most popular SUV this country has ever seen. The reasons are simple – it is bullet proof and has very capable mechanicals, a classy yet unsophisticated interior, a feeling of indestructibility, a competitive price and very good resale value.
The permanently four-wheel driven Limited Edition gets a few special features such as a chrome nudge bar and site steps. The drivetrain remains the same, so you get the well-proven three-litre D4-D engine that delivers 120 kW and 343 Nm of torque.
Some say this engine is properly run in at 500 000km. It is coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox, which clearly lags behind its rivals and gives a clue to the Fortuner’s rather advanced age.
Nevertheless, the Fortuner is widely used as a towing vehicle, so it must be pretty good at that, too. It has stability control, is rated to tow 1770kg and, interestingly, has the biggest capacity engine in this test.
In short
Engine: 3,0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Four-speed automatic
Power: 120 kW @ 3400r/min
Torque: 343 Nm @ 1400r/min
4×4 system: Permanent with 4H Lock and 4Low
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 1770kg
Price (standard): R469 000
Good: “The Fortuner offers good value for money.” – Anzet du Plessis.
Bad: “Long in the tooth with old engine technology, and it gives a choppy ride.” – Lerato Matebese.
VW Tiguan 2.0TDI Sport&Style 4Motion DSG
The Tiguan is the smallest SUV in this line-up. To stack the odds even more against the Volkswagen, its two-litre engine delivers the least power and torque, with a seemingly insufficient 103 kW of power and 320 Nm of torque available. But the Tiguan again demonstrated that it’s not always size that matters, but rather the way the available woema is utilised that does.
The VW’s seven-speed DSG (dual clutch) gearbox plays a big part here. Besides very quick changes, it manages to keep the engine in the ideal rev range virtually all the time. So if you want to overtake a truck, the Tiguan responds immediately and efficiently.
The 4Motion four-wheel-drive system also plays its part in the VW’s surprisingly excellent on-road dynamics.
However, that Jurgens Penta is big, and the Tiguan is small. VW nevertheless reckons the Volksie can handle 2500kg. It comes with stability control, too.
In short
Engine: 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel
Gearbox: Seven-speed DSG
Power: 103 kW @ 4200r/min
Torque: 320 Nm @ 1750r/min
4×4 system: Permanent 4Motion
Towing electronic aids: Stability control
Tow rating: 2500kg
Price (standard): R429 400
Good: “The VW, despite its size, punched above its weight. We hardly gave it a chance, but it certainly surprised us.” – Tinus Breitenbach.
Bad: “The Jurgens Penta was just too big for the Tiguan, and you could feel the caravan having an adverse effect on the Volksie’s handling. With a slightly smaller and lighter van in tow, the Tiguan would do really brilliantly.” – Jakes Jacobs.
SUMMARY
As you can deduce from some of the judges’ comments, there were a few surprises in store for them on test day. With a caravan in tow, some of the SUVs excelled beyond expectations while others, despite having all the big numbers behind their names, did not.
What was again clear, though, was that a really good towing vehicle is one that finds a balance between a number of qualities and attributes. Plenty of horses are useless if those horses are not channelled effectively and efficiently to the driven wheels.
Fancy stability control systems don’t help when they cut too much power in an emergency situation, instead of leaving a modicum of control in the driver’s hands.
Stability is not a given if the towing vehicle is heavy. It’s rather a combination of suspension lay-out, set-up and the relationship between these mechanical parts and the electronic systems that results in good or bad stability.
So it’s the SUV that gets this combination and this balance correct that will do really well as a tow vehicle – and it certainly proved to be the case in this test.
The judges – a varied crew of expertise
Anzet du Plessis – Leisure Wheels
Although she has since moved on, Anzet du Plessis worked at Leisure Wheels at the time of this test. And she even has a licence to drive trucks! Anzet is a car nut and she knows more about torque and oversteer and other such stuff than many men. She also likes to call a spade a spade – perfect for her role as judge!
Basil Mann – advanced driving instructor
Basil Mann is a professional driving instructor who, among other things, specialises in towing. He is a former national racing champion, and his Shayela Driver Training Academy provides driver training for the South African Insurance Association. As a long-time caravan enthusiast, Basil knows all the ins and outs of the towing game.
Denis Droppa – The Star Motoring
Denis joined The Star newspaper’s motoring section in 1992, and was appointed editor the following year. Today he is group motoring editor of Independent Newspapers. Denis has been testing cars for 21 years and is a former winner of the Motoring Journalist of the Year award. He calls it as he finds it, which is just what we needed!
Hannes Grobler – motorsport legend and caravan enthusiast
Hannes Grobler needs little introduction, but in case you didn’t know, he rallied and raced Nissans of all shapes and sizes for 33 years before joining the RFS rally team in 2011, driving a space-frame BMW X3. Hannes competed in the Dakar Rally in a big racing truck and his technical knowledge and know-how are legendary. When Hannes is not running the Zambezi 4×4 Mega World branch, he likes to caravan all over the place.
Jakes Jacobs – vehicle testing expert and caravan enthusiast
Jakes is one of SA’s best-known specialist vehicle testers. He used to run the VW Driving Academy, but later based his RSA Automotive Laboratory business at the Gerotek vehicle testing grounds near Pretoria. He tests anything from a Putco bus to a new armoured vehicle to a normal bakkie.
Peter Palm – CAR magazine road test engineer
Shame, someone’s got to do it! Strap fancy testing equipment to a supercar and see how quickly it can get from 0-100km/h. That’s essentially what Peter Palm does at CAR magazine, when he tests all the latest and greatest cars. So he knows a lot about vehicle dynamics and performance and such technical matters. He also owns a caravan.
Tinus Breitenbach – driving instructor and tour leader
Tinus is manager of the McCarthy 4×4 Club. He is also a 4×4 tour leader and has vast experience in overlanding. For many years he worked in the 4×4 accessories market. Tinus is difficult to impress when it comes to SUVs, and that’s the way we like it.
Lerato Matebese – Business Day
Lerato started his career in motoring journalism in 2006, when he was appointed the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists’ bursar student. After a year working on many of the motoring publications and programmes in SA, Lerato took up a post in the motoring section of Business Day. So for seven years he’s been working hard, testing cars all over the world.