Why is it surprising that the Mazda CX-5 is the most popular tow truck in the Netherlands?

If you are loyal to the viewing figures We are almost there you won’t be surprised that the Mazda CX-5 is the most popular tow truck in the Netherlands. While this Mazda lacks one feature that caravanners are looking for.

Every fall is We are almost there a big hit. Martine van Os travels Europe with a caravan of pensioners for five weeks. Retirees who play jeu des boules usually have their finances in order and almost without exception drive brand new SUVs with an expensive caravan behind them. Every year there are couples and one Mazda CX-5. That’s no coincidence, because ACSI found that the Mazda CX-5 is the most popular tow car in the Netherlands for the sixth year in a row.

Why is it surprising that the Mazda CX-5 is the most popular tow truck in the Netherlands?

Mazda CX-5 towing weight

Twelve percent of all new tow trucks sold in the Netherlands in 2023 will be the Mazda CX-5. Second place is also held by Mazda; that honor goes to the plug-in hybrid CX-60. Of all caravan owners who bought a new car last year, 10.3 percent chose the Mazda CX-60.

A hint

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ACSI also examined the vehicle that the respondents are driving. Once again, the Mazda CX-5 was highly rated. Of all 4,000 caravan drivers, 9.1 percent appear to own a CX-5, good for first place. Volkswagen Tiguan (5 percent) and Ford Kuga (4.5 percent) follow at a reasonable distance. There is only one spot on the Japanese party; The most popular brand among Dutch caravans is not Mazda, but Volvo.

The CX-5 is not the best caravan tractor

However we must warn the enthusiastic caravan driver, because in one way it is strange that the Dutch are so happy with the CX-5. That’s not towing capacity, which varies from an impressive 1800 to 2000 kg depending on the version. When you see those numbers, you will understand the popularity of the Mazda CX-5 among caravan enthusiasts. In the first case it concerns 165 hp Skyactiv-G 165 M Hybrid, in the second case Skyactiv-G 194 M Hybrid with 194 hp and drive-wheel.

But considering the low speed at low speed, we should not even think about connecting to the autobahn with such a heavy layer behind the car, or overcoming a steep mountain road. 213 Nm (Skyactiv-G 165) or 263 Nm (Skyactiv-G 194) is produced only at 4000 rpm. Below that, nothing feels like it’s happening at all. We already experience this in tests without a caravan, but with all the kilograms in the back of the car, the problem is getting worse.

Especially when starting uphill from a standstill and taking sharp turns uphill, more torque at lower speeds would be great. In fact, once you are moving you are fine and in no case should you stop too much speed when climbing (or falling), because lubrication and cooling are not the same for heavy conditions.

Unfortunately, the Mazda CX-5 with a diesel engine – an excellent combination – is no longer sold in the Netherlands.