THIS MONTH WE’RE TALKING… BMW 320I TOURING // 4x4S // SEAT TARRACO
Words/photography: Nigel Hutson
Caravanning essentials
What’s the one thing that you never go touring without? I always make sure to pack my corkscrew – it was a freebie from Bailey on a showstand back in 2006, or thereabouts. For most of the year, it sits in the drawer at home, but it’s the first thing I pack when I go away in a caravan, and has been for years. How about you? It could be a favourite mug, or perhaps a framed photo of family or friends. We all have something that we like to take with us on every trip. It’s part of that great sense of the familiar in an unfamiliar place, which makes your caravan feel just like home, even when home is hundreds of miles away.
motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor, and has towed with more than 500 cars over the years
TOW CAR DIRECTORY
Here is a list of the latest in-depth Tow Car Tests published in PC issues:
463 Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid Ultimate 4WD Auto 462 BMW X3 M40d 461 Volvo V90 Cross Country B5 (P) AWD Plus
460 Volkswagen ID.5 77kW 204PS Pro Performance Style 459 Ford Kuga 2.5 FHEV 190PS ST-Line X Edition FWD Auto
To obtain back issues of Practical Caravan, simply visit magazinesdirect.com
KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID 3
Price From £36,825 Kerbweight 1610kg 85% match Above max tow Max towing weight 1300kg THE NEW PLUG-IN Kia Niro is a bit like Baby Bear’s porridge. The pure electric version can only tow 750kg, while the regular hybrid has just 139bhp. But with a 1300kg towing limit and 180hp, if Goldilocks is going caravanning, the plug-in hybrid is just right.
Perhaps it goes without saying, but you will need somewhere to plug in to make the most of it. A full charge should provide up to 38 miles of electric running, although you would need ideal conditions to match that figure.
You won’t go that far on electricity towing a caravan, but you can expect impressive economy. We had the chance to tow a Sprite Alpine 2 with the Kia, and the car returned 31.6mpg on a route of mostly A-roads and motorways.
The Niro made a stable tow car, as well as a fuel-efficient one, pulling straight and true. However, we found it easy to spin the front wheels making a hill start or pulling away from a junction.
Inside, the Niro has plenty of space in the front and provides a comfortable driving position. You’ll find there’s a reasonable amount of head- and legroom in the back, too.
Boot space is meagre, though, and the plug-in hybrid version is also pretty pricey for a vehicle of this size.
IN THE TOW CAR SECTION…
Full tow car test 76 BMW 320i Touring M Sport If
