Of all the cars tested in 2018, none has a higher practicality score than the Kia Sorento. It’s clear that this car has been designed with tow car drivers in mind.

The boot is huge once the third row of seats has been folded away, with enough room for every last bag and item of camping kit we use to test each car’s capacity.

It’s good to see a 12V socket in the boot, a relatively low load height, and host of towing aids like self-levelling suspension and a trailer stability system, as well as a handy reversing camera with a clear view of the towball.

The Sorento tows well, too – not with the unshakeable confidence of the best high-end SUVs, but well enough for us to be happy at the prospect of a long tow behind the wheel.

Once up to 60mph we noticed some slight movements from the caravan in our mirrors, especially in crosswinds. The Al-Ko ATC sensors also detected a little gentle sway, too.

The hill-start test played more to the Sorento’s strengths. The electronic parking brake held the outfit still, and released as the driver depressed the throttle, allowing an unfussy ascent to the top of the 1-in-6 slope.

In everyday driving, the Sorento prioritises a comfortable ride over sporty handling. That’s no bad thing in our book, and means the Kia handles patchy surfaces better than most of its rivals.

It’s also better value than many competitors, and comes with the reassurance of a seven-year warranty.