Top 10 tow tests of 2021
Toyota and Land Rover 4x4s led the way for our most popular tow tests, but interest was high in all-new road-oriented SUVsSales of SUVs and 4x4 off-road wagons – not to mention caravans – reached new heights in 2021 as more Aussies than ever took steps to hit the road with a van in tow.
That meant interest in our popular tow tests was at an all-time high, not only with tried-and-true models from Toyota, Land Rover and other established 4x4 brands, but all-new road-oriented SUVs that were yet to be proven as a towing vehicle. The following ten are the tow tests that you clicked, swiped and scrolled on the most during 2021.
1. Toyota Prado
The ‘Son of LandCruiser’ is a perennial favourite with Aussies planning to hitch up in preparation for a Big Lap, and the upgrade ushered in for the MY20 model year drew a huge amount of attention from our readers in 2021.
Read the full carsales Toyota Prado tow test
2. Land Rover Defender
As the modern interpretation of a British icon, the new-generation Land Rover Defender was never going to please everyone. Yet as far as towing goes, the Defender has proven to be not only a very capable tow vehicle, but arguably the best heavy-duty hauler in Land Rover’s range.
Read the full carsales Land Rover Defender tow test
3. Toyota Fortuner
Our highways, parking lots and caravan spots constantly remind us just how popular the Toyota LandCruiser and Prado are when it comes to towing. But the HiLux-based Fortuner? We simply had to ask the question: Why isn’t Toyota’s upgraded 2021 Fortuner more popular for towing?
Read the full carsales Toyota Fortuner tow test
4. Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade has drawn a lot of attention since it first landed in showrooms in December 2020, with many Aussies keen to know whether the Korean brand’s new flagship SUV is really a fair-dinkum towing rival for the Toyota Prado. So we found out…
Read the full carsales Hyundai Palisade tow test
5. Nissan Patrol
There was unprecedented demand for the Nissan Patrol in Australia last year as buyers flocked to the big V8 petrol-powered full-size 4x4 wagon as their choice of towing vehicle – a capable alternative to both the 200 and new 300 Series Toyota LandCruiser.
Read the full carsales Nissan Patrol tow test
6. Isuzu MU-X
As the Isuzu MU-X entered its second generation last year, the original version proved to be a hit among would-be buyers looking to see whether it cut the mustard as a tow vehicle.
Read the full carsales Isuzu MU-X tow test
7. Toyota LandCruiser
The only reason you see the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series in seventh position on this table is because our tow test of the all-new LC300 was published in December 2021!
It followed our mid-October launch review, full range review, a comparison test with the Nissan Patrol and many other articles of interest – but just how well did the new LandCruiser come up in the towing stakes?
Read the full carsales Toyota LandCruiser tow test
8. Ford Everest
We put Ford’s Bi-Turbo Everest through its paces with a 1700km interstate tow test. And the results from the Aussie-developed, Ranger-based seven-seat family 4x4 were telling…
Read the full carsales Ford Everest tow test
9. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Not everyone wants a big, hulking 4x4 when it comes to towing. And with hybrid power in huge demand with Australia’s top-selling SUV – the RAV4 – does Toyota’s petrol-electric medium-sized SUV really cut it as a tow vehicle?
Read the full carsales Toyota RAV4 Hybrid tow test
10. Jeep Grand Cherokee
We put the Jeep Grand Cherokee through the mother of all tow tests – 6000km from Sydney to Uluru return. How did we go? Come with us for the ride…
Read the full carsales Jeep Grand Cherokee tow test
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