North Island. Checked Sunday 4 October 2026

The retirement car

Going off Mike's answers: an SUV, 2024 or newer and 2025 on if we can, NZ new only, ideally silver, grey or black, from Toyota, Nissan, Haval, Hyundai, Kia, Ford or Isuzu. Happy to go over $35,000 for the right car, with no rush and a buy around Christmas. It still has to pull the 5.5 m Surtees Workmate, about 1,200 kg ready to tow, so every car here is rated to tow at least 1,500 kg braked and shows its rating. Every car on this page tows the Surtees.

Welcome home in mid November. Thanks for filling in the questions, Mike and Julie. Julie, your car now has its own list, just below the questions, and there are two new questions for you (34 and 35). Mike, round two is still waiting for you. These cars were all checked on Trade Me on Sunday 4 October. Two have gone since Thursday and eight new ones are in, five of them for Julie. Ryan refreshes the list every week until you land, so some will go and new ones will turn up.

Set up to print. On a computer press Ctrl and P, pick A4 portrait, and it comes out as a call sheet with a line under each car for the date you rang, whether it's still there, the best price, and whether it has a towbar.

Who's looking?

Tap your name and the page remembers you, then Like, Not for us, Keep it in and Drop it all work.

Boat on the trailerAbout 1,200 kgSurtees' published weight ready to tow, with fuel, hardtop and gear
What the car needs1,500 kgBraked tow rating or more
Cars on the list40Across eight models. Drop the ones you'd never buy and it shrinks
Best under $35,000$33,9952024 H6 GT Ultra 4WD, 30,485 km, tows 2,000 kg, Taupo

Getting it down to two or three

Once we're down to two or three models, we stop asking what car and start hunting for the best deal on those. Tap Drop it on any model you'd never buy and its cars disappear from your page. Keep it in tells Ryan to look harder for that one. Any car you tap Not for us goes too. Nothing is lost: there's a button at the bottom to bring them back.

Seen a model you like that isn't here? Tell us in the questions below and Ryan will check it tows the boat.

Tap your name at the top and your page narrows as you go.

Nissan X-Trail

2.5 petrol tows 2,000 kg. e-Power hybrid 1,650 kg

Haval H6

2.0 turbo petrol tows 2,000 kg. Hybrid 1,500 kg

Ford Escape hybrid

1,500 kg before the Sep 2024 update. After it: Titanium 1,600 kg, ST-Line X 2,100 kg

Toyota RAV4 (all wheel drive)

1,500 kg. The 2WD ones fall short, so AWD only

Hyundai Tucson

2.0 petrol 1,650 kg, only 100 kg on the towball

Kia Sportage

2.0 petrol 1,650 kg, diesel 1,900 kg, 100 kg on the towball

Hyundai Santa Fe (diesel)

Diesel tows 2,500 kg. 7 seats, and none 2024 or newer in budget

Isuzu MU-X

Diesel, tows 3,000 kg or more. Big 7 seater

What you told us

Mike's answers, saved 25 September, and Julie's round two answers, saved 3 October. Change anything by going back through the questions and pressing Save.

The car

  • SUV, 5 seats is plenty, four wheel drive doesn't matter.
  • 2024 or newer, 2025 on preferred. Kilometres don't matter if the price is right.
  • NZ new only. Dealer or private, either is fine.
  • Models: Haval H6, Nissan X-Trail, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson.
  • Brands to skip: Mitsubishi, Skoda, Suzuki (and no Mazda).

The rest

  • Colours: silver, grey or black. Not blue, green, brown or bronze.
  • Money: could go over $35,000 for the right car.
  • Would really like: towbar already fitted, easy in and out, reversing camera, parking sensors, heated seats, CarPlay, blind spot warning, power tailgate, full size spare, good on fuel.
  • Where: anywhere in the North Island. When: just before or just after Christmas.
  • Towing: local ramps, short trips.

Julie's car

  • Two cars, one each, and only one needs to tow the boat.
  • Models: X-Trail, Escape hybrid, Tucson, Sportage, Santa Fe diesel.
  • Hybrid, for the fuel. Up to $40,000. Near new or older, show both.
  • Colours: white is fine, no red. Heated seats nice to have. Happy for the dealer to fit a towbar, and happy to travel.
  • Push button start. Needing a key for the ignition put you off, so every car on your list starts with a button.

Tell us what you're after

Mike and Julie, this is for you. Answer what you can, skip anything you're not sure about, and press Save at the bottom. Ryan uses your answers to narrow the list down and go looking for cars that fit. You can come back and change your answers any time. Under each car there's also a "Like" and "Not for us" button.

Who's filling this in?
Round one, 19 questions (Mike's done these. Julie only needs to if there's a car for her too)
1How much do you want to spend?

Pick the one that feels right.

2What fuel?

Tick all you'd be happy with. Worth knowing: most hybrids are rated to tow about 1,500 kg, which is fine for the boat. Electric cars at this money mostly aren't.

3Brands you like

Tick any you'd happily own.

4Brands you'd rather not have
5Models you like the look of

From this page, or any other model you've seen and liked. A friend's car counts.

6Colours you like
7Colours you don't want
8How many seats?
9SUV, wagon or ute?

Tick any you'd consider.

10Four wheel drive?

Handy on a wet or shingle boat ramp.

11How many kilometres is too many?
12How old is too old?
13Things you'd really like

Tick anything that matters to you.

14NZ new or imported?
15Dealer or private sale?

A dealer gives you some comeback if something goes wrong. Private is usually cheaper.

16How far will you go to buy it?
17How will you use the boat?
18When do you want to buy?
19Anything else?

Anything we haven't asked. Things you liked or didn't like about your last car are really useful.

Round two, to narrow it down

Short ones this time. These help us get from eight models down to two or three, and work out whether we're hunting for one car or two.

20Are we looking for one car or two?

This changes the hunt a lot, so it goes first.

21If it is two cars, do both need to tow the boat?

If only one does, the second can be smaller, cheaper and easier to park, and we can look at a different list for it.

22Which of these would you be happy to own?

Tick every one you would buy if the price was right. The ones you leave blank we stop looking for.

23Seen a model you like that isn't on this list?

Something you've spotted on the road, a friend's car, or an ad. Make and model is plenty, and paste a Trade Me link if you have one. Ryan will check it tows the boat and add some to the list.

24If it came down to two, which way do you lean?
25Hybrid or not?

Hybrids use less fuel but most only just tow the boat (1,500 to 1,650 kg). The petrol X-Trail and H6 tow 2,000 kg, so there's more in hand on a steep ramp.

26What is the most you would pay?
27Near new, or a bit older for less?

For example a 2026 X-Trail with 10 km is about $40,000. A 2023 ST-L with 41,000 km is about $35,000.

28Towbar already on, or happy to have one fitted?

Most dealers will fit a genuine towbar and brake wiring as part of the deal.

29How much do heated seats matter?

The cheaper X-Trail ST doesn't have them. The ST-L does.

30Would you take a white one?

A lot of the best buys are white or red. You didn't say no to either, but they weren't on your list. Answer each one on its own.

31Would you take a red one?
32Would you go to Wellington or Dannevirke for the right car?

Some of the best ones are down there. Most dealers will truck a car up for a few hundred dollars.

33Anything that's put you off a car so far?

Round three, two for Julie

Only for Julie's car. Mike, skip these.

34Julie, push button start?

At question 33 you said "Key needed for ignition" put you off. We've read that as: you want push button start, with the key left in your bag. Have we got that right?

35Can your car be blue?

Julie's car

Julie, this is your list, going off your answers on 3 October: a car each, and yours doesn't have to tow the boat. X-Trail, Escape hybrid, Tucson, Sportage or Santa Fe diesel, hybrid for the fuel, up to $40,000, near new or older, white is fine, no red. You said needing a key for the ignition put you off, so every car here starts with a push button and the key stays in your bag. That rules out two: the Tucson 2.0 Active up to 2024 and the Sportage LX 2.0 still need a key turned. Every Escape, X-Trail and Sportage hybrid is push button. The one we couldn't confirm is the Tucson Hybrid Active at Otorohanga. Two Escape hybrids further down suit you too: the white Titanium at Manukau for $30,800 and the 2025 Titanium at North Harbour Ford for $34,990. Red ones are left off, as you asked, and blue for now, since blue was on Mike's no list. Questions 34 and 35 check we've got this right.

3,500km 2025 Ford Escape Titanium hybrid Top pickPush buttonSilverNZ newNear new with only 3,500 km, in silver, and among the best on fuel of your models. The Titanium is the comfort spec. Just under your $40,000. Pukekohe is about two hours away, on the way to Auckland South Auckland Motors 2 Massey Avenue, Pukekohe (09) 238 8139 $38,888 Tows the Surtees
20,210km 2023 Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Hybrid Elite Push buttonSilverNZ newTop Elite spec with low kilometres and push button start. It's in the Wairarapa, so ask about delivery Gazley Wairarapa 38 Dixon Street, Wairarapa No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me $39,990 Tows the Surtees
63,031km 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line hybrid Under $30kPush buttonWhiteNZ newThe older for less option. Same hybrid as the others, with more kilometres, for about $10,000 under the near new ones. In Hamilton Turners Hamilton 112 Avalon Drive, Hamilton 0800 222 755 $29,210 Tows the Surtees
41,250km 2023 Hyundai Tucson 1.6 Hybrid Active Check the keyTowbar fittedGreyNZ newNZ new with full Hyundai service history, and a factory towbar already on. The plain 2.0 Active needs a key turned, and we couldn't confirm whether this hybrid Active is push button, so ask the seller before you go Private seller Otorohanga, just south of Hamilton No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me $35,995 Tows the Surtees
73,100km 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-Power Push buttonSilverNZ newIn Tauranga, one owner, heated seats and a 360 camera, and the listing mentions a 5 year warranty. A lot of kilometres for the money, so it's here mainly because it's close to home and easy to try Farmer Autovillage 116 Hewletts Road, Tauranga (07) 578 6017 $37,990 Tows the Surtees

The ones you liked, still for sale

Every car Mike tapped Like on that's still listed. Some are older than 2024 or in a colour on the no list, but you liked them, so they stay until you say otherwise. One has gone since Thursday: the 2022 H6 in New Plymouth.

41,557km 2022 Haval H6 GT Ultra 2.0T 4WD Mike likedWhiteNZ newOne private owner, full service history, two keys. More kilometres than the others but it's on Cameron Road, so it's the easy one to go and sit in first and get a feel for the H6 Ebbett Tauranga 123 Cameron Road, Tauranga (07) 578 2843 Harris Edlin 022 196 4903 $34,880 Tows the Surtees
22,480km 2024 Haval H6 Ultra 2.0T 4WD Mike likedOn your watchlistGreenLeather, sunroof, and the listing says five years of manufacturer's warranty. The dealer fits towbars, so ask them to put one on as part of the deal Greenwise Cars 34 Cartwright Road, Kelston 0800 888 101 Tom 027 318 0554. Nick 021 167 7405 $33,980 Tows the Surtees
40,600km 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 Mike likedBoulder GreyNZ newNew shape, leather interior. Sitting on 22 inch aftermarket wheels, which ride harder and cost more for tyres. Ask if the originals come with it Trust Motors 10 Norman Spencer Drive, Papatoetoe (09) 887 8668 Harry Nash 027 580 6356 $34,990 Tows the Surtees
54,618km 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST 4WD, 7 seat Mike likedSilverNZ newNew shape Black Edition, 4WD and seven seats. The 2026 Manukau X-Trail you also liked has sold, so this is the 7 seat 4WD one left Pearce Brothers 4x4 Centre 103 Great South Road, Papatoetoe 021 045 5788 Richard Nimmo, sales $33,975 Tows the Surtees
41,000km 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line hybrid AWD Mike likedRelistedBlackNZ newOne owner, all wheel drive, about 3 years of factory warranty left. It's the model before the September 2024 update, so the all wheel drive ST-Line is rated 1,500 kg, enough for the boat but no more. The seller says there's finance owing that gets cleared on sale, so make sure it is before paying The seller took it off and put it straight back on this week at the same price, so it has a new link. Tap Like on it again. Private seller Wellsford 021 958 206 $30,990 Tows the Surtees
19,641km 2024 Ford Escape Titanium hybrid Mike likedOn your watchlistWhiteImportedLow kilometres and good on fuel. It's an import, but the VIN starts WF0, so it's European built like the NZ ones and not a US Escape (those are only rated 680 kg). Expect 1,500 to 1,600 kg depending on build date, so check the tow rating on its compliance plate. Private sale, two owners Down $700 since Tuesday. Private seller Manukau 027 490 1865 $30,800 Tows the Surtees
67,691km 2022 Kia Sportage 2.0 diesel AWD Mike likedOn your watchlistUnder $30kWhiteNZ newThe diesel tows 1,900 kg. The most kilometres here, and Kia only allows 100 kg on the towball, so balance the boat on the trailer Andrew Simms Used Manukau 630 Great South Road, Manukau (09) 523 7280 Chris Bartlett 021 951 977 $25,800 Tows the Surtees

More like the ones you liked

Mike's likes lean X-Trail, H6 and Escape, so here are more of those. New since Thursday: a black 2024 Escape ST-Line X in Manukau with a towbar already on. The Kawerau X-Trail turns out to be an auction, so check its note.

7,350km 2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 Top pickTows 2,000 kgBlackNZ newWe had this down as $31,000 last week. It's actually an auction: bids start at $31,000 with a reserve that hasn't been met yet, or buy it now for $36,000. Closes Thursday 22 October at 8:15pm. Still the best value on the page if it goes anywhere near the start price. NZ new, two owners, WoF to February 2029, about an hour from Tauranga. The seller is selling it for a friend who has died. Entry ST, so no heated seats or power tailgate. Ask whether Nissan's 10 year warranty carries over to you Private seller Kawerau, about an hour from home No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me $31,000auction, buy now $36,000 Tows the Surtees
6,900km 2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 Tows 2,000 kgWhiteNZ newNear new, with blacked out trim. On road costs are extra on this one, so ask for the drive away price. White, so it depends on your answer to question 30 Manukau Nissan 17 Cavendish Drive, Manukau (09) 261 4000 Pravin Kumar 021 225 9386 $36,989 Tows the Surtees
41,000km 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2.5 Tows 2,000 kgSilverLike the 2023 X-Trails you liked, but the better ST-L spec with heated seats, in silver, and under $35,000. Same yard as the towbar one further down, so one phone call covers both Armstrong's Nissan Lower Hutt 340 High Street, Lower Hutt (04) 887 1313 $34,990 Tows the Surtees
73,922km 2023 Haval H6 GT Lux 2.0T Under $30kTows 2,000 kgWhiteThe sporty GT shape you liked on the Cameron Road H6, with the 2.0 turbo petrol that tows 2,000 kg, for about $6,000 less. More kilometres, and 2WD TMC Hamilton 64 Te Kowhai East Road, Waikato (07) 849 0144 $28,990 Tows the Surtees
45,250km 2023 Ford Escape ST-Line X hybrid AWD Tows 1,500 kgGreyNZ newTop ST-Line X spec, in grey, with the balance of Ford's 5 year warranty. It's from before the September 2024 update, so it's rated 1,500 kg, just enough for the boat. Takes the place of the red one at ORIX, which has sold Fairview Motors Hamilton 473 Te Rapa Road, Te Rapa, Hamilton (07) 849 9899 Karl McKay 027 440 7112 $34,800 Tows the Surtees
22,500km 2025 Ford Escape Titanium hybrid, ex demo Tows 1,600 kgWhiteNZ newA 2025 Escape under $35,000. Titanium is the comfort spec, front wheel drive, rated 1,600 kg. Viewing by appointment only, so ring first. White, so it depends on your answer to question 30 North Harbour Ford 11 Link Drive, Wairau Valley, Auckland (09) 444 9900 $34,990 Tows the Surtees
38,500km 2024 Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid 2WD Under $30kTows 1,500 kgRedNZ newTop Ultra spec hybrid for under $30,000. The hybrid is rated 1,500 kg, enough for the boat but no more. The listing says it has been through re-certification and comes with new plates, so ask why, and book a pre purchase inspection. Red, so it depends on your answer to question 31 Private seller Franklin, south Auckland No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me $29,995 Tows the Surtees
33,000km 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line X hybrid AWD Towbar fittedTows 1,500 to 2,100 kgBlackNZ newTowbar already on, two NZ owners, top ST-Line X spec and all wheel drive. Rated 2,100 kg if it was built after the September 2024 update, 1,500 kg if before. Either tows the boat, so check the plate on the door pillar. Private sale, so book a pre purchase inspection Private seller Manukau No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me $36,500 Tows the Surtees

Ones you haven't seen yet

Brands and models from your answers that weren't on the page. Tap Like or Not for us so we know whether to keep looking at them.

59,042km 2023 Toyota RAV4 GX hybrid AWD Tows 1,500 kgSilverNZ newEx lease, one owner, and the listing says it's the four wheel drive, which is the RAV4 that tows 1,500 kg. The Whakatane RAV4 and the private one with the towbar have both sold since Tuesday Turners Cars Porirua 9 John Seddon Drive, Elsdon, Porirua 0800 222 755 $39,210 Tows the Surtees
64,935km 2024 Toyota RAV4 GX hybrid AWD Tows 1,500 kgSilverNZ newA 2024 GX hybrid AWD, a year newer than the Porirua one, also silver, with more kilometres and $500 dearer Turners Cars Otahuhu 1120 Great South Road, Mt Richmond 0800 222 755 $39,710 Tows the Surtees
81,000km 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Elite diesel 4WD Tows 2,500 kgSilverNZ newSanta Fe was on your list. Nothing 2024 or newer in budget, so this is the pick of the older ones: diesel, which tows 2,500 kg, top Elite spec, one owner. It's a 7 seater and bigger than the rest. The auction closed on 3 October with no bids, and it's back on at $34,000, or $34,500 to buy it now, closing Saturday 17 October Private seller Whanganui No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me $34,000buy now $34,500 Tows the Surtees
64,521km 2021 Isuzu MU-X 3.0 diesel 4WD Tows 3,000 kg or moreBlackIsuzu was on your brand list. A proper tow wagon, built on the D-Max ute, so the boat won't even notice. Rides and drives more like a ute than the others, and it's a big car to park Trade-In Clearance Autos 127 Gracefield Road, Lower Hutt (04) 566 6484 Or 027 646 4664 $39,995 Tows the Surtees

New finds: Tauranga, Rotorua and Taupo

Closest to home. All 2024 or newer and NZ new.

30,485km 2024 Haval H6 GT Ultra 2.0T 4WD Top pickTows 2,000 kgGreyNZ newThe 2.0 turbo petrol, so it tows 2,000 kg. Heated and ventilated seats, and the listing says the balance of the new car warranty runs to February 2031. Still the only 2024 H6 GT Ultra in the North Island under $35,000. No towbar mentioned, so ask them to fit one Taupo Toyota Corner Spa Road and Runanga Street, Taupo (07) 378 7090 $33,995 Tows the Surtees
1,015km 2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2WD Tows 2,000 kgRedNZ newBarely run in, new shape, and an hour from home. Red isn't on your colour list, but it isn't on your no list either. Entry ST, so no heated seats or power tailgate Nicholson Rotorua 145 Lake Road, Mangakakahi, Rotorua (07) 282 2420 $36,990 Tows the Surtees
9,700km 2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 4WD, 7 seat Tows 2,000 kgRedNZ newThe only 2025 or newer X-Trail sitting in Tauranga itself. Four wheel drive and seven seats, so it's more car than you asked for, but it's handy to go and look at. Down another $1,000 since Thursday, $2,000 in a week Farmer Autovillage 116 Hewletts Road, Tauranga (07) 578 6017 $37,990 Tows the Surtees
16,000km 2024 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Active 2WD Tows 1,650 kgWhiteNZ newEx demo. Tucson was on your list. Rated to 1,650 kg, which clears the boat, but Hyundai only allows 100 kg on the towball, so keep the boat balanced on the trailer. The 2.0 Active needs a key turned to start it, so it's not one for Julie Rotorua Hyundai and Isuzu 67 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua (07) 348 2494 $35,995 Tows the Surtees
30km 2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 On your watchlistTows 2,000 kgGun MetallicNZ newAlready on your watchlist. Brand new, dark grey, and the listing mentions a spare key Ingham Great Lake 99 Titiraupenga Street, Taupo (07) 906 0211 $39,990 Tows the Surtees

New finds: Waikato

2,705km 2026 Haval H6 Lux Hybrid, ex demo Tows 1,500 kgGreyNZ newNew shape H6 hybrid, so good on fuel. The hybrid is rated to 1,500 kg braked, which is enough for the boat but has less in hand than the petrol H6 or the X-Trail. Power tailgate and 360 camera TMC Hamilton 64 Te Kowhai East Road, Waikato (07) 849 0144 $38,990 Tows the Surtees
16km 2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2WD Tows 2,000 kgGun MetallicNZ newEffectively brand new, in the dark grey. The listing states 2,000 kg braked towing Brian Tunnicliffe Nissan 20 Thames Street, Morrinsville 021 902 166 $39,990 Tows the Surtees

New finds: Auckland, about two and a half hours

10,497km 2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2WD, demonstrator Top pickTows 2,000 kgSilverNZ newSilver, which is top of your colour list, 2026, and the listing says NZ new. Blind spot warning and CarPlay. Entry ST, so no heated seats. Ask what's left of Nissan's 10 year warranty Ingham West Auckland 261 Lincoln Road, Auckland (09) 300 0511 $38,988 Tows the Surtees
12,653km 2025 Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid 2WD Tows 1,500 kgGreyNZ newTop spec Ultra, heated steering wheel, power tailgate and sunroof. The listing says the balance of a 7 year warranty. Hybrid tows 1,500 kg GWM, Haval and Tank Auckland 436 Broadway, Newmarket (09) 523 7276 $39,500 Tows the Surtees
13,372km 2026 Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid 2WD Tows 1,500 kgGreyNZ newSame spec as the Newmarket car, a year newer and $700 cheaper. Heated steering wheel and power tailgate Andrew Simms Used Manukau 630 Great South Road, Manukau (09) 523 7280 $38,800 Tows the Surtees
34,300km 2025 Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-Power 4WD Towbar fittedTows 1,650 kgGreyNZ newTowbar already on and a 360 camera. The e-Power hybrid is rated to 1,650 kg, less than the petrol X-Trail but fine for the boat. Private sale, so book a pre purchase inspection Private seller Auckland City No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me. Or near offer $39,800 Tows the Surtees
8,800km 2025 Kia Sportage Urban LX+ 2.0 petrol Towbar fittedTows 1,650 kgWhiteNZ newTow bar and wiring already fitted, and the balance of Kia's 5 year warranty. A touch over $40,000. Kia only allows 100 kg on the towball Andrew Simms Botany 350 Te Irirangi Drive, Botany (09) 523 7270 $40,990 Tows the Surtees
7,133km 2023 Haval H6 Ultra Hybrid 2WD Tows 1,500 kgBlackNZ newOnly 7,133 km, top Ultra spec with a panoramic roof, head up display and power tailgate. Same yard as the 2026 H6 hybrid above, so you can compare the two side by side. The hybrid is rated 1,500 kg, enough for the boat but no more Andrew Simms Used Manukau 630 Great South Road, Manukau (09) 523 7280 $36,990 Tows the Surtees

New finds: further south, towbars already on

Worth a phone call. All three already have a towbar fitted, which was on Mike's wish list. The ST-Line X at Dannevirke has sold, and a 2025 one with a towbar has turned up in Palmerston North.

13,000km 2024 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2.5 Top pickTowbar fittedTows 2,000 kgChampagne SilverNZ newTicks nearly every box: towbar already fitted, heated leather seats, 360 camera, blind spot warning, new shape, low kilometres, and the listing says the balance of Nissan's 10 year warranty. The catch is it's in Lower Hutt. Worth a call to ask about delivery Armstrong's Nissan Lower Hutt 340 High Street, Lower Hutt (04) 887 1313 $37,990 Tows the Surtees
8,000km 2024 Ford Escape Titanium hybrid Towbar fittedTows 1,600 kgAgate BlackNZ newTowbar and wiring fitted, only 8,000 km, and black. Front wheel drive, rated to 1,600 kg. Same dealer as the one above K B Ford 181 High Street, Dannevirke 0800 878 111 $37,895 Tows the Surtees
25,521km 2025 Ford Escape ST-Line X hybrid AWD Towbar fittedTows 2,100 kgBlackNZ newTowbar already on, two owners, and a 2025, so it should be the updated ST-Line X rated 2,100 kg. Check the plate to be sure. Takes the place of the Dannevirke ST-Line X, which has sold. Private sale, so book a pre purchase inspection Private seller Palmerston North No phone on the listing, message through Trade Me $38,500 Tows the Surtees

Your watchlist against the boat

What's still for sale on the watchlist, leaving out the Mazdas and now the Mitsubishis, with each car's braked tow rating. Everything on it was still for sale on Sunday. Everything left clears the 1,500 kg the boat needs, apart from the plug in Escape, where the tow rating for that model isn't confirmed. The Kias and Hyundais only allow 100 kg on the towball, so keep the boat's weight balanced on the trailer.

CarKmPriceWhereRated to towVerdict
Tows it, and in budget
2024 GWM Haval H6 Lux 2WD16,400$30,995Lower Hutt2,000 kgYes
2024 Haval H6 Ultra 4WD22,480$33,980Kelston2,000 kgYes
2024 Haval H6 GT Ultra 4WD29,800$34,990Dunedin2,000 kgYes
2022 Haval H6 GT Ultra 4WD58,000$32,990Christchurch2,000 kgYes
2024 Ford Escape Titanium hybrid, imported19,641$30,800Manukau1,500 to 1,600 kgYes
2022 Kia Sportage 2.0 diesel AWD67,691$25,800Manukau1,900 kgYes
2024 Kia Sportage LX 2.0 petrol 2WD48,000$34,990Masterton1,650 kgYes
Tows it, but over $35,000
2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5 2WD25$39,990Botany2,000 kgOver $35k
2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 7 seat 4WD9,900$39,888Lower Hutt2,000 kgOver $35k
2026 Nissan X-Trail ST 2.530$39,990Taupo2,000 kgOver $35k
2025 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Active8,669$37,995Paeroa1,650 kgOver $35k
2025 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Active12,300$38,990Hamilton1,650 kgOver $35k
2026 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Active13,000$38,788North Shore1,650 kgOver $35k
Check the tow rating first
2025 Ford Escape Titanium plug in hybrid15,301$37,990New Plymouthnot confirmedCheck

The main models

Haval H6

  • 2.0 turbo petrol: 2,000 kg braked. The GT Ultra and Ultra 4WD have it.
  • Hybrid: 1,500 kg braked, 150 kg on the towball. Enough for the boat with not much to spare, but much easier on fuel.
  • The most car for the money. The trade off is resale, and it's worth asking a local mechanic whether they're happy to service one.

Nissan X-Trail (new shape)

  • 2.5 petrol: 2,000 kg braked, 2WD and 4WD. The e-Power hybrid is 1,650 kg.
  • Holds its value better than the H6. Nissan dealers everywhere.
  • The ST is the entry model, with no heated seats or power tailgate. The ST-L adds heated leather seats and more.

Ford Escape hybrid

  • Up to August 2024: 1,500 kg braked (the front wheel drive ST-Line is 1,600 kg). From the September 2024 update: Titanium 1,600 kg, ST-Line X 2,100 kg.
  • A US-built Escape is a different car, rated only 680 kg (1,500 lb), so it won't tow the boat. Every Escape on this page is European built like the NZ-new ones. On an import, check the VIN starts with WF0.
  • Good on fuel, and three on the page already have a towbar on.

Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage (2.0 petrol)

  • 1,650 kg braked, but only 100 kg on the towball. Fine for the boat as long as it sits balanced on the trailer.
  • Long factory warranties. The Tucson 2.0 Active (up to 2024) and the Sportage LX 2.0 need a key turned to start them, so they're not on Julie's list.

Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe, Isuzu MU-X

  • RAV4: only the all wheel drive tows 1,500 kg. The 2WD versions are rated much lower, so they're left off.
  • Santa Fe diesel: 2,500 kg. The hybrid's rating isn't clear, so it's left off.
  • MU-X: 3,000 kg or more. Built on the D-Max, so it tows anything, but drives like a ute.

What to ask on the call

  • Is it still there, and what's the drive away price? One number with on road costs included.
  • Has it got a towbar, and what's it rated to? The bar's own plate has to be rated for the boat as well, not just the car. If there's no bar, ask them to fit a genuine one and wiring for the trailer brakes as part of the deal.
  • Is it NZ new? Ask to see the history report.
  • How much factory warranty is left, and has it been serviced on time? That keeps the warranty alive.
  • Can they hold it until Christmas, or deliver it to Tauranga? Most of the dealers here say they deliver.
  • Book a pre purchase inspection before any money changes hands, particularly on the private sales.
  • Drain the Surtees ballast tank before towing. It adds about 200 kg if it's left full.