Diesel is undoubtedly better for towing than petrol.

Not now!

A turbo'd engine is undoubtedly better for towing - huge torque at low rpm - until recently the only turbo-petrols were very high performance cars - but most brands are introducing turbo-petrols in family cars/CUVs/SUVs.

Historically a turbo-diesel was undoubtedly better for towing than a non-turbo-petrol.

Use the maximum torque figure as a benchmark - but be aware that the industry is inconsistent about showing Nm and Lb Ft (1.0 Ft Lb = 1.35 Nm)

In which case the Octavia vRS petrol might tow as effectively as the diesel.

According to the What Car table, the vRS petrol (217 bhp) has 258 lb ft of torque, the vRS diesel (184 bhp) has 280 lb ft, and the ordinary 2.0 TDI (150 bhp) has 252 lb ft. So not a lot in it, and the petrol vRS is a joy to drive for the rest of the time when you don't have the caravan hitched up.

I am no expert nor mechanical engineer, but as I understand it, it is not the actual power in lb ft that is the issue. It is where it is delivered in the rev band. Looking keenly recently I notice that there is more than sufficient lb ft for effective towing but in petrol form the engine delivers this at between 3500/4500 rev per min, whereas a diesel delivers it at between 1500/2000 revs per min. Setting off, when towing or not, is likely to be at the 1500 mark and not the 3500 mark. So when towing setting off is the hardest job, so you need the extra lb ft at setting off revs. If that makes sense. I stand to be corrected, but that is my take on it. Cheers Concrete

I'm on my second CX-5 175 ps (173 bhp) with 420 nm at 2000 rpm (310 pound feet) And tow a 1565 kg caravan.

Avoid the early CX-5 diesels there was a few that had prematuring cam wear, prematuring vacuum pump wear (for the brakes), both of which could cause other failures due to blocked oil ways, the sequential turbo's for example.

After my 2013 manual 175 AWD sport had the vacuum pump changed i lost confidence in the car out of warranty, so bought another 2015 revised model car but in auto. I've only had this car since Nov last year so can't comment on its reliability as yet.

At 3K miles i have only a tiny oil rise say 1mm, but i don't do much more than 7K a year anyway. But you must check the oil level weekly to avoid being caught out with oil dilution, which in turn can lead to low oil pressure.

I intend to get a turbo petrol next with power and torque as quoted previously for the vag car, and with a 8 speed auto, but thats in another three years.

A modern turbo petrol is fine for towing, some give max torque now from as low as 1250 rpm up to high revs say 5K rpm, a much wider band than any equivalent diesel. I hate DPF as they destroy the economy.

The CX-5 average read out tells lies, its around 2.5mpg high on my car which others have found. So my auto returns around 38mpg allowing for the error, the manual car was over 40mpg.

On the plus side its a great towcar only the 88kg nose weight limit being the only negative. The 165ps non turbo car does not come close for towing, but fine for solo driving and very reliable.

Edited by xtrailman on 29/05/2016 at 22:09

I have towed with petrol and diesel had four cars where the clucth got so hot that you could smell it burning, but never needed to change a clutch.

A motor mover is your best friend and will easily pay for its self overtime.

Best way to find cars that have low down torque is to look at the brochures assuming you are buying new.