Posted on June 9, 2025
Towing capability has become essential for SUV buyers planning summer activities with boats, campers, and equipment. The Kia SUV lineup delivers impressive towing capabilities to enhance your outdoor experiences. Each model combines sophisticated towing technology with comfort and efficiency, ensuring you can bring everything needed for the perfect getaway.
The range offers towing capacities from 750 kg to 2,495 kg, supported by purpose-built features that elevate the towing experience. Trailer stability assist systems detect and correct potential trailer sway before it becomes problematic. Integrated trailer pre-wiring simplifies setup, allowing you to spend less time on preparations. Available self-levelling suspensions maintain optimal vehicle height regardless of load, ensuring consistent handling even with heavy gear.
Specialized drive modes optimize performance when hauling heavy loads, adapting transmission shift points, throttle response, and stability control parameters. The engineering focuses on raw towing numbers and creating a confident, stable experience across varied driving conditions from highways to remote back roads leading to secluded lakes or campsites.
Whether you’re planning weekend camping trips, launching boats, or hauling equipment for outdoor adventures, the Kia SUV lineup provides the capability, technology, and reliability needed to make summer activities more accessible and enjoyable.
2025 Blue Kia Sorento HEV/PHEV
The Telluride X-Pro stands as the Kia SUV lineup towing leader with a remarkable 2,495 kg maximum capacity, making it capable of handling substantial campers, boats, and utility trailers. This capability comes from its 3.8L V6 GDI engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The X-Pro trim enhances this foundation with 18-inch black alloy wheels fitted with all-terrain tires and a specialized tow mode that optimizes power delivery for hauling heavy loads.
The all-electric EV9 in Long Range AWD configuration offers an impressive 2,267 kg towing capacity without using fuel. This capability stems from dual electric motors generating 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of near-instantaneous torque. For outdoor enthusiasts transitioning to electric vehicles without compromising on towing needs, the EV9 delivers substantial hauling ability with zero emissions. The instant torque proves particularly valuable when launching boats or navigating challenging terrain.
The Sorento X-Pro completes the heavy-duty lineup with 2,041 kg towing capacity, powered by a 2.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder GDI engine generating 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain uses an 8-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission engineered to handle substantial loads while maintaining responsive performance.
All three models in the Kia SUV lineup come standard with trailer stability assist systems, integrated trailer pre-wiring, and all-wheel drive systems that optimize traction across varied surfaces from wet boat ramps to gravel roads. These technologies create a confident towing experience that allows drivers to focus on enjoying summer activities.
The Kia SUV lineup offers several compelling options for summer adventurers with moderate towing requirements that balance capability with efficiency and comfort.
The Sorento X-Line provides a substantial 1,588 kg towing capacity, making it well-suited for smaller campers, personal watercraft, and utility trailers. This capability comes from the same 2.5L turbocharged engine found in the X-Pro model, but with a suspension calibration focused on balancing on-road comfort with towing performance. The X-Line trim adds 25.4 mm of ground clearance compared to standard Sorento models, providing additional clearance when accessing remote recreation areas.
Standard Telluride models deliver exceptional credentials with a 2,267 kg capacity across all non-X-Pro trims. This consistent capability throughout the lineup means buyers can select their preferred comfort and technology features without sacrificing towing performance. The standard Telluride combines practicality with premium features, offering the same powerful 3.8L V6 GDI engine as the X-Pro but with wheel and tire combinations optimized for everyday comfort.
The EV6 electric crossover contributes a respectable 1,225 kg maximum capacity in its Land AWD configuration. This capability comes from dual electric motors delivering 320 kW of power and 446 lb-ft of torque. What makes the EV6 particularly suited to towing duties is its 800V electrical architecture, enabling ultra-fast charging and regaining up to 80% battery capacity in just 20 minutes at compatible stations.
For lighter summer gear, the Sportage offers up to 1,134 kg towing capacity from its 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, producing 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Sportage’s available X-Line trim enhances its off-road capability, making it ideal for accessing more remote recreation areas.
The electrified Kia SUV lineup brings an innovative perspective to summer towing by combining capable pulling power with exceptional efficiency.
The Sportage HEV and PHEV models offer 907 kg towing capacity, powered by a hybrid system featuring a 1.6L turbocharged engine paired with electric motors. The hybrid version generates 227 horsepower, while the plug-in hybrid produces 261 horsepower, delivering 258 lb-ft of torque. The PHEV model adds the benefit of up to 48 kilometers of all-electric range, perfect for exploring natural areas without emissions once you’ve reached your destination.
The Sorento HEV continues the efficient towing approach with a 1.6L Turbo HEV powertrain that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. This system produces 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, delivered through a 6-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels. With a towing capacity between 750 kg and 907 kg, the Sorento HEV balances utility with efficiency, achieving 7.0/6.9 L/100km city/highway fuel consumption rating even when equipped for towing.
The Sorento PHEV takes the electrified towing concept further with its plug-in hybrid system. Generating 261 combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, this model can tow between 750 kg and 907 kg while offering an all-electric range of up to 48 kilometers. This dual-capability allows owners to handle daily driving with zero emissions, then seamlessly transition to hybrid operation for weekend towing adventures without range anxiety.
What distinguishes these electrified models in the Kia SUV lineup when towing is their instant torque delivery, providing confident pulling power from a standstill. Their regenerative braking systems help control speed downhill while simultaneously recharging the battery system, which is particularly beneficial on mountainous roads leading to popular recreation areas.
The towing experience extends beyond raw capacity numbers to include thoughtfully designed features that make the process simpler and safer for summer adventures.
Integrated trailer pre-wiring simplifies electrical connections, eliminating the need for aftermarket wiring installations and ensuring compatibility with trailer lighting systems. This factory-installed feature provides peace of mind when connecting trailers, knowing the electrical systems will function as designed.
Advanced driver assistance systems are calibrated to function effectively with trailers attached. Forward collision warning systems adjust warning distances, while lane keeping assist features modify their intervention thresholds to accommodate trailer dynamics. These adaptive technologies maintain safety without becoming intrusive during towing operations.
Available surround view monitors provide clear visibility during low-speed maneuvers with trailers. This 360-degree perspective proves invaluable when backing trailers into tight campsite spots or positioning boats precisely at launch ramps. The high-resolution display provides confidence-inspiring visibility that simplifies challenging maneuvers.
On higher trim levels in the Kia SUV lineup, blind spot monitoring systems account for additional length when towing, extending their detection range to cover the entire trailer. This expanded coverage alerts drivers to vehicles that might be hidden by the trailer’s profile, enhancing safety during lane changes.
Drive mode selectors include specialized terrain modes on AWD models, optimizing power delivery, transmission behaviour, and electronic stability controls for confident towing across varied summer driving conditions. Snow modes provide controlled starts when launching boats on slippery ramps, while mud modes increase wheel slip allowance for improved traction on unpaved roads.
Self-leveling rear suspensions on select models automatically adjust ride height based on load, maintaining optimal vehicle stance regardless of trailer tongue weight, ensuring consistent handling characteristics even when fully loaded with gear and towing equipment.
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Categories: Kia