Can Kia Sportage Tow? (Towing Guide)
The Kia Sportage is a popular car that many people either own or are looking at owning. Many people need or want a car that can tow large items so they can bring a camper, trailer, or boat with them when they go on a trip. So, can the Kia Sportage tow, and how much can it tow?
The Kia Sportage can tow items up to 1,650-2,000 pounds without dragging. The 2017 Kia Sportage can tow the most weight, which is 2,000 pounds. The 2018 and 2019 can tow up to 1,650 pounds. The Kia Sportage can tow anything that doesn’t exceed the towing weight limit of that specific model.
Now that you know that Kia Sportages can tow and how much they can tow, you are likely wondering if they come with a trailer or towing hitch. Keep reading to find out.
Can the Kia Sportage Tow?
The Kia Sportage can tow relatively large items. It can tow between 1,650-2,000 pounds without any drag, although recent Kia Sportage years can tow up to 1,653 pounds.
The Kia Sportage doesn’t come with a towing or trailer hitch like some trucks do. However, it is easy to install a hitch when you are going to tow something. Recent models of Kia Sportage have a small hole in the rear bumper already, so all you have to do is purchase a towing or trailer hitch and install it when you want to tow something.
They are relatively to install, depending on the hitch, and most hitch kits come with all the tools you need for installation.
Which Kia Sportage Can Tow the Most?
The 2017 Kia Sportage can tow the most amount of weight as it can tow up to 2,000 pounds, while other models can only tow up to about 1,653 lbs.
Below is a table that includes the towing capacity of the Kia Sportage in recent years, as well as the gas mileage and horsepower. Keep in mind that when you do tow something with the Kia Sportage, the gas mileage will go down.
Kia Sportage Towing Capacity 2017-2022
| 2017 Kia Sportage | 2018 Kia Sportage | 2019 Kia Sportage | 2020 Kia Sportage | 2021 Kia Sportage | 2022 Kia Sportage | |
| Towing Capacity | 2,000 pounds | 1,650 pounds | 1,650 pounds | 1,653 pounds | 1,653 pounds | 1,653 pounds |
| MPG | 23 city/ 30 highway | 23 city/ 30 highway | 23 city/ 30 highway | 23 city/ 30 highway | 23 city/ 30 highway | 23 city/ 30 highway |
| Horsepower | 181-240 HP | 181 to 240 HP | 181 to 240 HP | 181 to 240 HP | 181 to 240 HP | 181 to 240 HP |
| MSRP | N/A | N/A | N/A | $23,990 | $24,090 | $24,090 |
The Kia Sportage is a crossover SUV that can seat up to 5 people. If you want to learn more about the features and trims that are available for the Kia Sportage, visit your local Kia dealership or go to Kia’s webpage that is dedicated to the Kia Sportage.
What Can the Kia Sportage Tow?
The Kia Sportage can tow anything that weighs less or slightly more than the max towing capacity. Technically the Kia Sportage can tow up to 2,000 pounds, but there will be some drag after the weight limit that is listed in the table above.
The Kia Sportage can tow anything from sailboats, skiffs, campers, and trailers as long as they weigh less than 2,000 pounds. They can’t tow other cars, but they can tow trailers that have motorcycles, bikes, motorbikes, or 4-wheelers as long as the total weight of the trailer and the machine is less than the maximum towing weight.
Popular Kia Sportage Towing Accessories
Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver Class 2
The Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver Class 2 allows you to attach items like a bike rack or cargo trailer to your Kia Sportage. It costs $174.23. It is made of durable metal and coated with black paint so it won’t stand out from your Kia Sportage after you attach it. If you need help installing it, you can ask for help from the etrailer experts and watch how-to install videos.
If you want to purchase the Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch Receiver Class 2, click here.
Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver
The Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver is highly rated by customers and it is a popular towing accessory that you can attach to your Kia Sportage. It costs $174.58, and it has a slightly limited lifetime warranty, but it it breaks because of something faulty with the product you can return it and get a new one with no cost to you.
In order to install this product, all you need is bolts, so it is very easy to attach and remove this trailer hitch receiver. It can help tow items up to 3,500 pounds, so it exceeds the Kia Sportage’s towing capacity capabilities.
If you would like to purchase the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver, click here.
Curt 13281 Class 3 Trailer Hitch
The Curt 13281 Class 3 Trailer Hitch is a popular towing accessory. It is rated 4.5 stars by consumers and costs $153.48. It can help your Kia Sportage tow up to 3,500 pounds, so it can tow more than your Kia Sportage can.
It is easy to install and is rust and chip resistant, so it will work and stay undamaged for a long time, even if you use it frequently.
If you would like to purchase the Curt 13281 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, click here.
Overall, the Kia Sportage can tow large items, but it can’t tow items that weigh more than 2,000 pounds without drag occurring and the speed of the vehicle being affected.
Although the Kia Sportage doesn’t come with any trailer or towing accessories, it is easy to purchase them online or at an auto parts store. Most of these accessories are easy to install and come with the necessary parts.
Before you purchase a trailer hitch for your Kia Sportage, make sure that it works for the year and trim model of Kia Sportage that you have. If you attach the trailer hitch to your Kia Sportage and it doesn’t fit, you can damage your car and the trailer hitch, and you likely won’t be able to return it because you damaged it.