Owned a share of a C-175 (same airframe as 172), with 180 hp engine, droop tips, stol kit. It is a mediocre tug.

Was in a club that had a C-172, with 150 hp, climb prop. Not a good towplane.

When you hash out all the factors, it always comes down to three good choices for tugs:

Pawnee,
Pawnee,
Pawnee.