1.6L -vs- 2.0L as a tow car

In my experience I wouldn't go less than 2.0

I'm not saying the model you are looking at is not capable but you may not always have the caravan that you have received a match for. If going for a bigger van in the future then you will need a bigger engine and the way caravan weights are going then even a 2.0 may not be adequate.

Surely the starting point is weight suitability and then engine size considerations? A bigger Caravan may need a heavier car as much as a more powerful engine. 140 horses is 140 horses whether it is produced by an engine of 1.0, 1.6 or 2.0 litres capacity or more albeit I do think the larger the capacity the less strained the engine might be. There is an old Americanism that generally there is no substitute for cubes, (irrespective of how much turbo boosting is applied). However In looking at any engine characteristics I always prefer a long stroke (better for torque) design over short stroke (better for revs) engine and If the 1.6 has a good torque curve I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand, maybe try a Vauxhall forum for comments? 

It depends what you're towing. But as above, big is best & bigger is better still  😉 If there was a choice of 2000 over 1600 I'd choose the bigger engine but the overall weight of the car is the deciding factor of whether the tail wags the dog, not engine 

We towed for 7 years with a 1.6 diesel engined car and had absolutely no problems with it. Mainly due to the excellent weight ratio between car and caravan (1 ton MPTLM). 

Advantages were mainly when not towing, i.e. lower insurance costs with a smaller engined car, better mpg etc. I worked out that actual towing days were between 10 and 15% maximum of our yearly driving so why pay higher costs for the other 85-90% if the car can tow well with a smaller engine. Really comes down to what the caravan is and what your plans are for keeping the car for the duration of this van. If upgrading then when?

I base my choice on towing mileage, the fact we van all year, the type of terrain etc..  In Europe we often stay on sites that are a couple of thousand feet in height so for us it would always be a larger engine.

If the car and caravan are of a good weight match just use the gears that's what a manual  gear box  is there for a modern 16 diesle  more than capable of towing the average caravan today  gone are days  when 2 litres  where needed don't  be lazy use the gear box

don't be lazy use the gear box

driving lessons at no extra cost

What's a manual gearbox? 🤔

Thanks for the replies, I'm still undecided.

Whilst the car I'm looking at is only 1.6L the kerb weight is 1600+ and the match service puts it at 86% so it fits that bill.

I never thought about the insurance being cheaper, I will look into that, thanks.

I use the van for about 5 trips a year and one is a long haul two week duration probably taking in 4 or 5 sites, I currently use a 2.0L but its restricted being a 7 seater and it has an over boosting turbo fault which has been 'doctored' so now lacks power and I dare not attempt to pull the van with it, the fault cannot be fixed (no matter how much I have tried!). I don't plan changing my van, it might be old, but I love it and it fits our purpose hence the need another car to pull it but I also have to consider the other 47 weeks it will be used to get me to and from work so economy is key.