Passat and Golf both win at 2011 Towcar Awards

Volkswagen have won two awards (including the overall first place) at the annual Towcar Awards. These recognise cars that perform well all-round on a caravanning holiday. So, each vehicle's towing ability is considered, but it is also assessed on normal driving performance, safety, practicality and value for money. 

Fifty different cars were tested this year by a panel of experts from the Camping and Caravanning Club, as well as reviewers from What Car? and Practical Caravan magazines.

Volkswagen won in two categories: the Golf retained its crown in the 'under 1425 kilos' category, and this year's Passat Estate won the '1425-1574 kilos' category and also took the champion trophy for best car in any category.

In their summing up, judges said that the testing drivers found the Golf (unlike most small cars) to be "stable and reassuring" when towing, even in strong crosswinds, adding that sensors on the caravan backed up this impression.

As for the Passat, the judges were nothing short of effusive in their remarks, stating that it was "a car that tows brilliantly, is a pleasure to travel in, economical to run and easy to live with".

Volkswagen's product marketing manager for the Passat accepted the awards on behalf of VW, and said he was pleased that their efforts had been recognised to develop a car to not just to get people from A to B, but to be an comfortable, practical, economical and effective leisure or holiday vehicle.