Kia SUV Towing Capacity: Seltos, Sportage, Sorento & Telluride

Many drivers shopping for a new SUV are after a vehicle that lets them pull a trailer with confidence. If you're one of these SUV shoppers, then Kia has you covered with its lineup of powerful sport-utes with impressive towing capacities.

At Ed Morse Kia Rolla, we're proud to carry the full lineup of new Kia SUVs for sale that deliver capable performance at competitive prices. If you're a Missouri motorist whose lifestyle entails towing a boat, other weekend toys or a trailer for cargo, we have the Kia SUV for you!

We invite you to learn about the latest Kia SUVs for sale that offer stellar towing capabilities, including the 2021 Kia Sportage, Seltos, Sorento and Telluride models. See our review and comparison of these three Kia sport utility vehicles below; then, contact our sales specialists with questions or to schedule a test drive.

	Kia Seltos	Kia Sportage	Kia Sorento	Kia Telluride
Maximum Towing Capacity	N/A	2,000 pounds	3,500 pounds	5,000 pounds
Engine (Standard / Available)	2.0L 4-Cylinder / 1.6L 4-Cyl Turbocharged	2.4L 4-Cylinder / 2.0L 4-Cyl Turbocharged	2.5L 4-Cylinder / 2.5L 4-Cyl Turbocharged	3.8L V6
Horsepower (Standard / Available)	147 / 175	181 / 240	191 / 281	291

What is a Tow Rating & Why Does it Matter?

If you have any plans of trailering with your next vehicle, then its towing capacity or tow rating matters. Kia SUVs and other vehicles are rated for the amount of weight they can safely tow, which is their maximum towing capacity. This figure can depend on many factors, including the vehicle's engine, transmission, chassis, curb weight and drive type.

Generally, the more powerful a vehicle is, the higher towing capacity it will have, but again, the max tow rating relies on other factors, too. Kia SUVs are designed and engineered for safe and confident all-around performance, and that includes while trailering. Let's review the new Kia SUVs with the highest tow ratings to determine which is ideal for your needs and lifestyle.

Kia Seltos SUV Towing Capacity

Let's start with the newest nameplate and smallest crossover SUV on this list: the 2021 Kia Seltos. Drivers seeking a versatile subcompact or compact CUV can count on the stylish and sporty new Seltos to deliver. Select from the standard 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder or the available 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that generates a stellar 195 lb-ft of torque! The Seltos SUV's all-wheel drive (AWD) with Torque Vectoring and Center Lock ensures you can take on any road, terrain and weather.

Kia offers this agile crossover SUV with an available Lifestyle Hitch for hauling bikes or cargo containers. While the new Seltos and its optional Lifestyle Hitch are not designed for towing, this athletic CUV supports active lifestyles by allowing you to carry a hitch-mounted bike rack and other outdoor gear with ease.

Kia Sportage SUV Towing Capacity

Kia's compact SUV offering, the Sportage, provides the confidence of up to a 2,000-pound maximum tow rating. This figure is for Sportage SUVs that tow with trailer brakes; new Sportage models without trailer brakes feature a 1,653-pound towing capacity.

The compact Sportage may not be able to tow as much as the larger Kia SUV models we're about to cover. However, it still could be the right choice for you and your family if you only plan to pull a small trailer, haul bicycles on a hitch-mounted bike rack, or other light-duty tasks.

Kia Sorento SUV Towing Capacity

Next comes the mid-size Sorento, which was completely redesigned for the 2021 model year. This three-row crossover SUV sports new powertrain choices for 2021, including a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that is offered naturally aspirated or turbocharged.

Kia's new Sorento strikes a brilliant balance between power, capability and efficiency. When you opt for the new turbocharged 2.5-liter engine in the 2021 Sportage, this SUV model can tow up to a manufacturer-estimated 3,500 pounds! Enjoy the confidence to tow personal watercraft, cargo and so much more with the new Sorento.

Kia Telluride SUV Towing Capacity

Lastly, we come to the most capable Kia SUV of them all: the new Telluride. Like the Sorento, the Telluride is classified as mid-size, but this model is even more spacious, offering seating for up to eight occupants. The Telluride also comes standard with Kia's new 3.8-liter V6 engine that makes towing a breeze. With its 5,000-pound tow rating, this highly capable Kia SUV is ready to take on your family's adventures!

Kia's award-winning Telluride SUV and its 3.8-liter V6 engine provide a confidence-inspiring 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. No matter if you select a Telluride with front-wheel drive (FWD) or available Active On-Demand All-Wheel Drive with AWD Lock and Snow Mode, you'll gain a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Which tow-ready Kia SUV will you select? Plan your visit to our Rolla, MO, Kia dealership to tour and test drive these powerful and versatile sport-utes for yourself to find your ideal new Kia.