Nissan Qashqai’s pulling power

All-new Nissan Qashqai is named overall winner at the prestigious Tow Car Awards 2014.

The British-built Nissan Qashqai has driven away with the top trophy at the Tow Car Awards 2014, also winning the 1,400kg-1,549kg (kerbweight) category.

Judges from the Camping and Caravanning Club, plus magazines Practical Caravan and What Car?, tested a record 56 cars, before concluding the Qashqai 1.6 dCi 130PS Acenta Premium was the best.

They praised the model for its “stability at speed, impressive performance, abundance of torque, smooth braking, exceptional 100kg noseweight and effortless hill-start ability”.

They were also impressed by the Qashqai’s all-round practicality and large 430-litre boot.

David Motton, Tow Car Editor at Practical Caravan, said: “The first thing we look for in a tow car is stability at speed.

“This is one of the Qashqai’s greatest strengths – its unflustered approach to towing puts the driver at ease. Long journeys towing with the Nissan should prove hassle-free.”

TOW CAR AWARDS 2014 WINNERS 

Up to 1400kg
Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance £22,310

1400kg–1549kg Class and and Overall Winner
Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium £23,995

1550–1699kg
Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Technology 177PS Executive Style DSG £29,160

1700–1899kg
Jaguar XF Sportbrake 3.0 V6 Diesel S 275PS Portfolio £51,995

1900kg+
Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS £46,865

Best MPV
Citroën Grand C4 Picasso Blue HDi 150 Exclusive+ £27,375

Best Petrol Tow Car
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer 1.6i 16v Direct Injection Turbo (170PS) Start/Stop Elite Nav £25,129

Best Ultralight Tow Car
Renault Captur 1.5 dCi 90 Dynamique MediaNav £16,395

Money No Object Award
Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 Autobiography Dynamic £75,005

Green Award
Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid D6 AWD Geartronic SE Lux Nav £44,975*
*with £5,000 government grant