This size car is used for towing all the time in Europe. I have a friend with a '99 Jetta TDI that he uses to tow a small box trailer all over the place. Hasn't given him a problem in three years. That's in the US BTW

I have another friend in the UK with the exact same car as me (96 Passat TDI) that he used to pull a 10' twin axle utility trailer all the time as well. Mind you, that one has electronic brakes.