Caravans have been attracting a bad press lately, but manufacturers are still vying to get their cars in front of them as the tow vehicle.

Slow and traffic-forming caravans may be, but their numbers are on the increase, with a corresponding boost in business to the supplier of the pulling power.

Which is why 22 manufacturers supplied a total of 51 vehicles for entry in The Caravan Club's Towcar of the Year Awards. That fact becomes even more understandable when taking into account the news that well over half of Caravan Club members are aiming to change their car in the next 12 months.

The 2005 title winner is the Mazda6 2.0 diesel estate, which impressed judges with the ease with which it handled a heavily-laden caravan.

Caravan Club chairman, Bob Black MBE, says the ten award categories reflect the needs of the consumer, and the Club's 850,000 members eagerly awaited the results of the 22nd annual competition to make an informed choice regarding their next towcar purchase.

Coming in behind the Mazda's marvellous achievement, the ten class winners -- classes are divided according to body type - were the Toyota Corolla, Renault Grand Espace, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Touareg V10, Citroen Berlingo Multispace Desire, Vauxhall Vectra Elite 3.0CDTi auto, BMW 525d SE Touring, Isuzu Rodeo Denver, and Seat Altea 2.0TDi Sport.

The Subaru Forester, winner of the Compact 4x4 category, was the 2004 Towcar of the Year winner.

In the utility class, it was the Isuzu Rodeo Denver which beat rivals from Ford, Mitsubishi and Nissan over a gruelling Caravan Club test course at the famous Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

Judges look at all aspects of towing during the trials, including hill starts, traction, stability, engine pulling power and practical features such as the car's ability to accommodate large bulky loads such as awning bags and water carriers.