You can’t be horsing around when it comes to going to pony club or showjumping events – you need a suitable car or truck. Here are 10 of the best choices
Almost 400,000 UK households own a horse. If you’re one of them, or you’re planning to become a horse-owner, then your equestrian hobby will probably dictate what vehicle you buy. We’re not talking purpose-built lorries for pampered ponies here – instead, we’ll focus on the best cars for towing horses. If you have one or two horses, a car and horsebox is likely to be the cheapest and easiest option.
The first consideration is towing capacity. For horses, you’ll need a car or pickup with quite a large maximum braked towing weight. Let’s say your horse trailer weighs 900kg before you add in two 500kg horses and 100kg of kit. At the very least, you’ll need a car with a 2,000kg towing capacity. That’s why the majority of these cars on this list can manage at least 2,500kg – some large 4x4s can tow as much as 3,500kg.
While four-wheel drive isn’t specifically a necessity to tow a horse trailer, it’s likely that you’ll end up off road or on muddy lanes with your horse. So all our picks have four-wheel drive either as standard or as an option. Handily, they’re all large cars with plenty of space for people and horse gear.
It’s worth noting that some of these cars may need towbars or towing packages fitted at the factory, so check that a towbar can be retrofitted if you’re looking at a used car without one.
Volkswagen Touareg
Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg
Volkswagen’s range-topping SUV is really impressive, both as a tow car and as a posh family car. Whether you pick the 3.0-litre V6 diesel or the same-sized petrol, you’ll get an automatic gearbox, four-wheel drive and a huge 3,500kg towing capacity. With a reassuring feeling of stability and a vast reserve of power, the Volkswagen Touareg makes light work of towing a horse box. You may not even notice the weight of the horse box on the back – just don’t forget it’s there!
SsangYong Rexton
Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg
The SsangYong Rexton might not have a premium badge, but that’s about the only thing it’s missing. It’s ideal for horse owners, with its unbeatable towing capacity, industry-leading warranty and rugged feel. Being based on the Musso pickup truck, the Rexton feels a little more agricultural than some of the premium SUVs we’ve included on this list, but the upshot is great off-road capability. You still get plenty of technology, all at a price that handily undercuts most rival 4x4s.
Ford Ranger
Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg
A pickup truck is going to be the best choice for towing a horse trailer if you can buy it as a commercial vehicle and claim the VAT back. Pickups are becoming more popular in the UK with many buyers using them for both work and family car duties, and the Ford Ranger is leading the charge. It has all the necessary bits in place – a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, four-wheel drive and a one-tonne payload – but also feels more car-like to drive than many of its rivals. Add in a well-equipped interior and high-spec trim levels and it’s not surprising to see that the Ranger sells so well.
Audi Q7
Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg
Using most of the same ingredients as the Touareg, the Audi Q7 offers workhorse capability with an even more luxurious sheen. All petrol and diesel versions get a monumental towing capacity and grippy four-wheel drive, while Trailer Assist is an optional extra that makes it easier to back up with a horse box. The boot is big enough for a whole tack shop, and humans are pretty well catered for, too. Audi’s latest infotainment and driver assistance tech features come as standard, as does plenty of space. Need even more luxury? The Porsche Cayenne can also tow 3,500kg.
Toyota Hilux
Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg
Known for being incredibly tough, you’ll find examples of the Toyota Hilux in the world’s most unwelcoming areas. Its sheer breadth of ability means it won’t break a sweat when towing a heavy horse trailer, even when the Tarmac makes way for muddy slopes. The Hilux lineup ranges from utilitarian single-cabs right through to highly specced double-cab trucks that offer tough looks and more luxuries than most Toyota cars.
Land Rover Discovery
Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg
The Land Rover Discovery is one of those cars that you can’t help but admire because it’s so competent in so many areas. Not only does it have a 3,500kg towing capacity, it boasts Land Rover’s go-anywhere tech for tackling even the trickiest trails with Trigger in tow. With seven seats, the Discovery can carry a few spectators – and there’s still a reasonably big boot. Fold the rear seats down and the boot space becomes vast. If you don’t need such a large towing capacity, the Land Rover Discovery Sport offers up to 2,500kg and is often much cheaper than its bigger sibling.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Maximum towing capacity: 3,500kg
A new Toyota Land Cruiser is a seismic event – and not just because it's reassuringly heavy. To carry the world-famous Land Cruiser name, this fancy-looking 4x4 needs to stand up to a huge amount of scrutiny in the most imposing terrains you can think of. But even if all you'll tackle is a slippery country lane, the Land Cruiser is a top choice for horse owners. The new one (pictured) gives a top-drawer 3,500kg towing capacity, while a used Land Cruiser isn't far behind on 3,000kg. Both feel like they've been hewn from granite and could survive an apocalypse.
Kia Sorento
Maximum towing capacity: 2,500kg
Kia’s largest engine-powered SUV, the Sorento, comes with a powerful 2.2-litre diesel engine and standard all-wheel drive. It’s a strong-feeling car with a 2,500kg towing capacity, and boasts a slightly more road-biased driving experience than some of the more focused 4x4s on this list. It’s an enjoyable car to drive when you don’t have the horse box attached, with tidy handling and a long list of standard equipment. In fact, it might wear Kia badges but the Sorento doesn’t feel a million miles away from a costly Audi or BMW.
Shop used Kia Sorento cars for sale or read our Kia Sorento review
Mercedes GLC
Maximum towing capacity: 2,500kg
The Mercedes GLC seems to strike the perfect balance between towing capability and daily driving. It's not too long to feel unwieldy around town, and has a luxurious interior stuffed with all the technology you could feasibly want. But the diesel engines in particular are also incredibly well suited to towing, with a 2,500kg braked maximum. All GLCs have four-wheel drive and can tow at least 1,800kg – even the high-power AMG ones if you really love burning fuel. A trailer coupling with trailer stability control package is available on all models except the fastest one.
Volvo XC60
Maximum towing capacity: 2,400kg
Volvo's midsize SUV is a supremely assured companion, which sails through any sort of driving situation with the sort of unruffled composure of an experienced paramedic. Petrol and diesel versions are both strong enough to tow 2,400kg, and both get a smooth driving experience and a comfortable ride. The XC60's interior is tranquil and soothing, and you get all the necessary tech without it being in your face. Further back, the near-500-litre boot space is plenty for a large saddle or a couple of bales of hay.
Shop used Volvo XC60 cars for sale or read our Volvo XC60 review
