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For some people having a car which can tow well is nearly a must due to their lifestyle which is why I decided to make this list of the best cheap used cars for up to 5000 euro which are suitable for towing. The vehicles listed have different capabilities in terms of towing – some can pull more than others and this is expected since they are representatives of different classes. Still, all of them are great when it comes to handling a trailer or a caravan within their towing limits. Also, all cars on the list are diesel-powered since the diesel engines provide more torque than a petrol equivalent with the same displacement and torques are essential for pulling. So, what are the best cheap used cars for towing for up to 5000 euro which are not SUV? Audi A6 (C6) 2.7 or 3.0 TDI QuattroFord Mondeo IV 2.0 TDCiSkoda Octavia Scout (Typ 1Z) 2.0 TDI 4x4Subaru Legacy (BL/BP) 2.0d AWDVolkswagen Passat Variant (B6) 2.0 TDI 4motionVolvo V70 (2nd gen) D5 AWD I must say that there are a lot of other cars which are capable of towing the same weights or have the same torque figures but these cars have proven themselves as great handlers of trailers or caravans and this is what brings them here in this list. Now let’s explore it in more detail and see how much each car can handle. We start alphabetically with the Audi A6. The German premium car manufacturer is renowned with their 4x4 Quattro system and having a 4x4 increases the grip of the vehicle along with its ability to transform the torque of the engine to actual pulling power which results in easier towing. Combined with one of the 6-cylinder VW’s TDI engines, which are torquey, you get a very capable car of pulling up to 1900 kg with no issues. Ford. Mondeo IV is a great car in many ways. Considering its drivability stemming from the traditionally well-sorted Ford suspension and pinpoint steering, it is also a nice car to drive overall. The 2-litre engine is sufficient for 320 Nm of torque and although it is not four-wheel drive, being so planted, the Mondeo makes up for it. It can tow up to 2 tons. There is the more powerful 2.2-litre diesel but good cars with this engine can be a bit pricier. The Mondeo IV is made from 2007 to 2014 and can be had as a sedan, liftback or an estate. If you prefer a car with bigger internal space like an MPV, you can also opt for the Ford Galaxy with the same engine which can tow less though – up to 1700 kg. The next car from our list is a representative of the budget version of Volkswagen – Skoda. The 2nd generation Octavia was produced from 2004 and 2013 and can be had with the excellent engine for towing – 2.0 TDI and a 4x4. If you are pulling over lightly rough terrain, you might consider the Scout version as it has a better ground clearance. If you take it with the mentioned above 140 hp engine, you will be getting 320 Nm and if you opt for the 170 hp version, you will be subjected to 350 Nm of torque which is a delightful pulling power either way. The Scout can tow up to 1600 kg. With all-wheel drive, as the previous example, and 350 Nm of torque from the 2-litre diesel engine, the Subaru Legacy sedan or estate sounds like the perfect towing car. And it is not very far from being just that. The vehicle feels in control when towing and this is regardless of the weather conditions. The model was produced between 2003 until 2009 and it can tow trailers of up to 1600 kilos. The Volkswagen Passat B6. Its 4motion facilitates the towing ability and the car can pull up to 2000 kg if what you are towing have breaks. It is a sublime all-round towing vehicle which proves that you can easily pull heavy trailers with a car which is not an SUV or a pickup truck. This generation is produced between 2005 and 2010. Image by Bruno Glätsch The last car on the list is the Volvo V70 2nd generation with the D5 engine and 4x4. As the name implies, it is a 5-cylinder diesel and it has a displacement of 2’400 cc. The AWD system provides plenty of grip, the engine has loads of torque (340 Nm for the earlier and the fantastic 400 Nm for the later versions) and you get Volvo’s legendary safety. What else could you want? The car can tow up to 1800 kg. The 2nd generation was produced from 2000 to 2007. What else do I need to know and have to be able to tow with my car? The first thing is that you have to have the right license in accordance with your country laws. Also, even though the towing weight limit of your vehicle is set and known, it is recommended for more controllability, to tow not more than 80% of the towing car’s weight. This is a good strategy as if the trailer, caravan, or whatever you are pulling is heavier, the towed can cause your car to misbehave on the road. In regards to where you can find the maximum towing weight - you can often see it printed somewhere around the driver’s door along with other valuable pieces of information like the recommended tire pressure and a maximum payload of your vehicle. Apart from the above, you should also know the tongue (hitch) weight. This is the weight your hitch ball is subjected to from the linked trailer’s (or caravan’s) tongue which usually is about 10-15% of the trailer’s total weight. This figure can be calculated more precisely with different tools like a tongue weight scale. Lastly, you would want to be a gentler driver when towing. You should not accelerate hard or stop aggressively. Also when you come to a corner, turn with slow speed and take a wider line so that the trailer can follow easily. That’s it. I hope you have found the above information useful and I wish you a great day!