Welcome to the What Car? Tow Car Awards 2022. It's now 15 years since we first partnered with The Camping and Caravanning Club to put the latest tow cars to the test, and for the second year in a row, all of the caravans were supplied by Adria.

We divided the 30 cars into five categories, based on their weight. That way you can easily find a car suitable for towing your caravan or trailer, no matter how heavy it is.

Most contenders towed a caravan weighted to 85% of the car’s kerb weight. However, if the legal towing limit is lower than that 85% match figure, the ’van was weighted to the maximum towing weight instead. Cars with very low towing limits relative to their kerb weight dropped down to be tested alongside cars that can tow a similar weight.

Tests included driving at 60mph (the legal limit for towing on the motorway) and up to 10mph faster if car and caravan were stable at 60mph. We also measured the 30-60mph acceleration time and the 30-0mph stopping distance, plus each contender was put through an emergency lane-change manoeuvre. And the cars performed a hill start on a 1-in-6 slope.

The practicality tests specifically focused on ease of use for towing. So, we took a typical caravanning luggage load and tried to fit it in the boot. Our practicality judges also checked if the puncture repair provision is suitable for use while towing, whether a trailer stability system is fitted, if the towbar and electrics are easy to use, and whether fitting extension mirrors is straightforward.

Finally, nobody wants to own a car that tows well but is awful to drive every day. So, we rated each car for what it’s like to drive without a caravan, and carefully considered value, safety, and running costs.

Thanks to Al-Ko for its help in preparing the caravans, and Witter Towbar Systems for checking each car's towing gear.

We're also grateful to Milenco for supplying its latest mirrors as well as noseweight gauges, and to the Coventry Scale Company for the loan of the weight pads used in preparing the caravan loading plans.

Finally, our biggest thanks must go to the enthusiastic army of Camping and Caravanning Club volunteers who give up their time to make the event possible.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Thinking of buying a new small SUV? Then make sure you read our countdown of the top 10 cars in this booming sector – plus, find out which ones we'd avoid

Our sub-editor wanted a car that takes all the effort and much of the expense out of his extremely long daily commute – did he find it in the hybrid Honda HR-V SUV?

Toyota has long been at the vanguard of hybrid technology, but the bZ4X is its first modern electric car. How does it compare with two of the most exciting alternatives?

What Car? is part of Haymarket Automotive, a division of Haymarket Media Group © Haymarket Media Group 2022