How much can a Kia Sorento tow?
Like the look of the Kia Sorento SUV and need something with towing capabilities? Find out how much the Sorento can tow in our guide
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The Sorento is currently the largest SUV Kia makes, and it’s ideal for families and caravanning enthusiasts alike thanks to its impressive towing capabilities and large cabin, which offers enough room for all your luggage and passengers.
But just how good is it at towing?
What influences the Kia Sorento’s towing capacity?
To calculate a car’s towing capacity, you need to check its kerb weight and the maximum weight it can tow.
Terms to look out for are: gross vehicle weight (GVW); maximum authorised mass (MAM); or Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM).
The above terms show the combination of the vehicle’s kerb weight and the weight of the load being towed, which can all be found in the car’s manual.
As a rule of thumb, the load you’re towing should be less than 85% of the vehicle’s kerb weight, which again can be found in the manual.
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How much can a Kia Sorento tow?
There are three different measurements you need to know when towing with a Kia Sorento:
Unbraked towing capacity – towing a trailer without its own braking system
Braked towing capacity – towing a trailer with its own braking system
Maximum braked towing capacity – the maximum weight a vehicle can tow when the trailer has its own braking system.
The latest Kia Sorento can tow 750kg unbraked, 1,350kg braked and 2,000kg maximum braked.
To put that into perspective, a full-size Range Rover can tow up to 3,500kg and a Ford Fiesta can tow up to 900kg, meaning the Kia Sorento sits somewhere in the middle.
We say the ‘latest’ model because older Sorento models varied – some could pull up to 2,500kg, so it’s worth checking which model year you have, especially if it’s pre-2021.
Is the Kia Sorento good at towing?
The Kia Sorento is a great vehicle for towing – if you have a small trailer or caravan, then it’s a great option.
There are, of course, better cars out there for heavier loads such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport and BMW X5, but it’s still a fab choice.
How to safely tow with your Kia Sorento
Towing should be taken very seriously, as around 4,000 road accidents happen each year due to poorly-controlled towing.
So, how do you ensure you’re a towing legend?
First off, you’ll need to ensure you have the correct licence for the type of towing you plan to do.
Licences issued after January 1997 have restrictions on towing loads that weigh more than 8,250kg, so make sure to check this before towing anything heavy.
If you need more information, the gov.uk website has the full rundown of limitations for towing and how they could affect you.
New to towing? You may not know that the Highway Code states that you shouldn’t exceed 60mph on the motorway or dual carriageway when towing a caravan to keep you and the load stable.
Other tips include avoiding sudden braking where possible and making sure you move off gently and without any sudden movements.
The same goes for any sudden change of direction, as this can throw off the balance of the vehicle.
You’ll also need to allow yourself some extra room when turning to ensure you don’t knock anything.
When is towing helpful?
Having the freedom to tow can be extremely helpful in a variety of different scenarios.
From towing horse boxes and caravans to trailers, there are very many uses it can bring.
The Kia Sorento is such a versatile vehicle as it is, so add towing capabilities into the mix and you’ll feel like you can take over the world.