Occasions: 3 used cars with which you can tow a caravan for a maximum of 10,000 euros

The range of possibilities is enormous. You can find used cars everywhere at a dealer, via Gaspedal.nl, a specialized website, and on Facebook. Which used car with a trailer hitch and considerable towing capacity can you buy for less than 10,000 euros? Autovisie works with the ANWB to select the best used cars every week.

Whether caravan, boat trailer or car ambulance: These three opportunities are not afraid of any weight on the trailer hitch. Two tons for 10 grand? Goes well!

Three occasions on which you can tow a caravan for a maximum of 10,000 euros

• Hyundai ix35 (2010 – 2015)
• Kia Sportage (2010-2016)
• Toyota RAV4 (2006-2013)

Hyundai ix35 (2010 – 2015)

Of these three, the ix35’s appearance is the most popular. Although you’re mainly looking for a workhorse, this is an added bonus. More important is the difference in permissible trailer weight between the 1.6 and 2.0 liter petrol engines.

The 1.6 can tow 1,200 kilograms, the 2.0 knows what to do with 1,900! The Hyundai is nice and spacious inside: With at least 591 liters, the SUV offers the largest luggage space of the three. The driving comfort is sufficient for the vehicle type. The consumption is about 1 in 11. At a car dealership in Nederhorst den Berg we come across a black ix35 2.0 “Business Edition” (2011, 136,000 km) for €9,950.

Rate the roadside assistance on this occasion

This Hyundai type has a switch on the clutch pedal that allows you to start the car. The part in question sometimes breaks. Fortunately, roadside assistance knows a trick so you can drive to the workshop yourself for a new switch. If the ix35 is dead then the ground cable between the battery and the strut is loose. Fastening matter! Moisture can penetrate the engine computer connections, causing the power source not to start. A broken shank also occurs: The Waywatch fixes this temporarily.

Kia Sportage (2010-2016)

Technically, this Sportage and the just released Hyundai ix35 are very similar. They have the same power sources under the hood and the permissible trailer loads also sound familiar: 1,200 kilograms for the 1.6 and 1,900 for the 2.0. The Sportage drives remarkably well for a car in this class, with a slightly better tuned chassis. The interior finish is also beautiful.

The Korean is spacious enough with at least 565 liters of luggage space. With average use, the Sportage consumes just under 1 in 10. On the website of a car company in Leiden we find a neat, silver-grey 2.0 X-ecutive Plus with a few options (2010, 107,000 km) for €9,950.

Rate the roadside assistance on this occasion

Just like the Hyundai, the clutch has to be depressed to start the Kia. The switch used for this can sometimes break, but the roadside assistance has an emergency solution ready for this as well. Moisture in the towbar socket can cause various problems: your battery died overnight or the Sportage will not lock. The “Longlife” spark plugs should only be replaced every 60,000 kilometers, but in versions with a 2.0-liter engine the parts don’t last that long. In this case, immediately replace them with all four, otherwise the problem may appear three more times.

Toyota RAV4 (2006-2013)

Toyota has an excellent reputation when it comes to off-road vehicles as well. This is also reflected in a crossover like the RAV4. This guy – and certainly this generation – has a wonderful, no-nonsense look. Follower? Bring it on: The 2.0 can pull 2,000 kilograms. Not only is the interior nice and spacious, but you can also slide the back seat in two.

The trunk holds at least 586 liters. The Toyota does not have a tailgate but a rear door: this requires additional space behind the car. In addition, the chassis is quite stiff. Consumption is around 1 in 10. The brand dealer in Ede has a silver-grey 2.0 “Comfort” for €9,999 (2009, 189,000 km).

Rate the roadside assistance on this occasion

The Wegwacht is only aware of one shortcoming of this RAV4 generation. Rattling noises can occur under the bonnet due to wear. It’s a rotten noise made by the flywheel. However, the Toyota drives no less. Wait until the clutch needs replacing to solve the problem: it’s so inexpensive!

Our tips for the occasions

While Toyota’s reputation is good, it also drives up used prices: for our budget, you’re driving a slightly older car. In all sobriety, we opt for the Kia.