Towing with a Hybrid
I have recently bought a Hyundai Tucson Ultimate Hybrid automatic, not the plug-in version, with a 1600cc engine. We had intended to stop caravanning but have since had a change of heart.
Now, according to the VIN plate my 1,300kg 2 berth caravan is within the acceptable towing weight. Not quite the 80% that CAMC recommends but very near. My concern is that the 1600cc engine (is being a hybrid relevant?) may not be up to the job! Does anyone have experience of towing with this car and can they tell me how it performed, please? Was the impact on MPG massive?
Kevin
Comments
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I do not have a hybrid, but a couple of points that may help.
Do not worry about the 80%. The club advise 85% as a guide, but it is not a rule. With my new van I now actually run at about 85%, compared to 72% with my previous van. Apart from using a little more fuel and being able to feel the van more all is fine. The tow is stable and controlled.
Smaller capacity petrol engines take a big knock regarding fuel consumption as they are working hard. I have found when towing I'm around 50% of solo. With my previous diesel I was getting around 60% of solo figures.
I typically tow 1350kg and over about 4-5,000 miles have averaged about 33mpg with a 1.5L petrol Audi A3. I'm aware of a VW Golf owner with the hybrid version of my engine who returns similar figures, so expect the Hybrid bit makes little difference in this situation.
Colin
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The 85% figure is for those inexperienced at towing so if you have towed for some time you can look at a higher figure even if it was relevant to you.
Basically you need to look more at the torque produced by the engine to see if that is up to the job. The higher the torque figures the better a car will normally tow, but unless someone else has the same car and can confirm how that model performs you just have to trust your judgement. Makers have got more and more power from these engines and generally they seem to be up to the job and Hyundi are generally good.
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I've just checked the engine output and with 150bhp and 250N/m the figures are identical to my Audi A3 1.5L petrol. Unless somebody actually has one and says do not tow, I can not see a good reason why to be concerned.
Colin
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