A well-liked hybrid subcompact crossover SUV is the Kia Niro. This article will talk about its towing capacity and contrast it with the weight restrictions of other trailer kinds. We’ll contrast it with the towing capabilities of other vehicles in the same class as well.
The Kia Niro has a 1,323-pound braked towing capability as well as a 2,866-pound braked towing capacity. These are unofficial figures, and Kia does not advise its customers to use this vehicle for towing. These figures have, nevertheless, undergone extensive testing and validation. In the event of an emergency towing, you may count on them.
Now that we know how much weight this car can tow, let’s see if it can handle heavy-duty towing or if there are better options available. The Kia Niro’s towing capability is covered in three tables below, along with an analysis of the vehicle’s performance in various scenarios. Let’s get going.
In This Article...
Can an E Niro Kia tow?
Range is the last consideration. If you attach a bulky or inefficiently aerodynamic weight to the back of your battery-operated vehicle, your electricity usage is likely to increase significantly. Caravan owners in particular face this problem because they frequently desire to travel far in search of camping grounds. A glaring illustration of this was the usage of an E-tron by Audi North America in 2020 to tow an 1800kg trailer 500 miles from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Austin, Texas. Overall, the electric SUV only covered about 100 miles between charges, which is less than half of its untethered range of 241 miles.
While many EVs cannot tow, there are those that can, and more are entering showrooms every day as consumers start to gradually wean themselves off of fossil fuels. Unsurprisingly, Tesla is at the top of the list of electric cars with the ability to tow, and its gull-winged Model X SUV can tow up to 2270kg when utilizing a braked trailer.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi E-tron SUVs, which can each tow a 750kg unbraked load and an 1800kg braked trailer, are next in the muscle stakes. All versions of the Polestar 2 have a braked limit of 1500kg and 750kg unbraked. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and closely comparable Kia EV6 can carry braked weight of up to 1,600kg, as can the Tesla Model Y.
The Nissan Ariya, which will debut later in 2022, will offer the same 1,500kg restriction as the forthcoming Ssangyong Korando e-Motion.
VW’s twin-motor ID4 GTX has a 1,200kg weight limit, which is the same as the top-tier Skoda Enyaq iV 80x and Audi Q4 e-tron 55 quattro with the same underpinnings.
The upcoming Renault Megane E-Tech EV60, which can tow a 900-kg braked trailer, is immediately below this.
A wide range of vehicles, including the entry-level Renault Megane E-Tech, the BMW iX3, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Jaguar i-Pace, the Mercedes EQA, and the Mercedes EQS, are listed at the bottom of the towing tables. This number effectively restricts them to the smallest and middle-sized caravans.
Other electric cars that can tow include the Stellantis electric MPV trio, which consists of the Vauxhall Vivaro e-Life, Citroen e-SpaceTourer, and Peugeot e-Traveller. These cars can all tow up to 1000 kg.
The rear-wheel drive versions of the VW ID4 and the nearly related Skoda Enyaq IV both achieve this figure.
Hybrid vehicles, including the plug-in and self-charging kinds, may be a superior option for towing. These machines are less restricted by range anxiety since you can easily pull in and fill up at any petrol forecourt when you have an internal combustion engine backup. They also don’t have as strong of a regenerative braking effect, which means the motor and electronic control unit aren’t as stressed. Even better, there are more models to pick from.
As mild hybrids are just standard internal-combustion vehicles with an expanded starter-generator unit that doesn’t supply any independent motive force, we’ll ignore them in this discussion. For more conventional hybrids, or those that require self-charging, the Toyota Prius and CH-R can tow up to 725 kg, while the Corolla adds 25 kg to that total, which is the same as that of the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Hyundai Ioniq. The Toyota RAV4 with four-wheel drive can tow 1650 kg, whilst the Kia Niro has a bit more power and can pull a braked trailer up to 1300 kg. This is the same number that the hybrid models of the new Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, and the Hyundai Tucson all obtained (in both hybrid and PHEV guises). However, the Lexus RX 450h wins the prize for greatest towing capacity thanks to its amazing 2000kg capabilities.
However, plug-in hybrids are your best option if you want to tow the heaviest loads. Some aren’t much better than their self-charging siblings; for example, the Kia Niro PHEV can tow exactly 1300 kg, just like its hybrid twin, according to the Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV-c. Sadly, the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense 4×4, despite having an identical engine, can only handle 1200kg. The Kia Sorento PHEV, which is mechanically very similar to the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV, lists a braked maximum of 1500kg, while the Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV claims a maximum of 1350kg. The Volkswagen Golf GTE has a restriction of 1600kg, whilst the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Toyota RAV4 PHEV, and Suzuki Across all have a braked maximum of 1500kg. While the larger E-Class can tow 2,100kg in both petrol 300e and diesel 300de configurations, the Mercedes C300e saloon and estate can only manage 1,800kg.
Volvo has put a lot of effort into improving its towing capabilities; the V60 T8 Recharged can tow 2000 kg, which is 100 kg less than the similarly powered XC60 T8 Recharge. While the Audi Q7 TFSIe, BMW X45E, and Mercedes GLE300de can all tow a substantial 2,700kg, the larger Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge can tow up to 2,350kg.
The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid and the next VW Touareg R are at the top of the towing tree. These two huge SUVs, which share a V6 gasoline engine and plug-in electric motor, can tow braked trailers and caravans weighing up to 3500 kg, which is the highest weight allowed by any car. A vehicle must be designated as a large goods vehicle in order to tow more. This tremendous level of pulling is also possible from the V8-powered Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and the Land Rover Defender P400e. The car would need to be reclassified as a big goods vehicle in order to tow anything beyond 3,500 kg, but oddly the similarly plug-in driven Range Rover Sport can only manage 2,500 kg.
An EV or hybrid vehicle may experience roadside problems, much like a typical internal-combustion vehicle. In pure-electric vehicles, a flat battery is just as likely to be the culprit as a mechanical problem, but in either case, there are going to be times when you need to be pulled to safety from the side of the road. How simple is it to tow a disabled hybrid or an immobile electric vehicle? You’ll need to transport the car to a garage, your house, or a charging station.
The best recommendation is often to call a breakdown recovery service rather than doing a do-it-yourself rescue using a conventional tow line. When towing with all four wheels on the ground, you run the risk of harming the drivetrain and the control systems because many EVs lack a neutral position in the transmission, which keeps the motor (or motors in four-wheel-drive vehicles) permanently active. The majority of manufacturers advise mounting the vehicle on a flatbed truck as a result.
The driven wheels of two-wheel-drive vehicles can be lifted off the ground using a towing dolly, although even in that case, it is advised to avoid using this technique if at all possible because many EVs and hybrids have electronic parking brakes that activate immediately after the ignition is turned off.
However, the AA is testing unique free-wheeling hub attachments, so there might be a simpler alternative in the works. These clever accessories, which resemble space-saving spare wheels, may be rapidly connected to the back wheels of electric or hybrid vehicles that have broken down. These hubs have a big diameter, which enables the wheels of the damaged car to be lifted off the ground and kept still. The automobile may then be rescued without putting any strain on the electrical drivetrain when the front wheels are raised off the ground by a towing dolly. Neat.
Can a Kia Niro tow a trailer?
The Kia Niro is a hybrid car that can tow a caravan, which is good news. The Kia Niro can pull any braked caravan or trailer up to 1300 kg with its towing capability.
Even though it doesn’t appear to offer anything exceptional at first appearance, the Kia Niro Hybrid is a rather surprise car in many respects. The hybrid system is incredibly effective, the car is actually functional, and it has a ton of cutting-edge technology.
What the KIA Niro looks like and how spacious it is
The tiny Cee’d and the Sportage SUV, two of KIA’s most successful models in Europe, have highly daring designs recently and are very appealing, especially to younger audiences. Therefore, it appears that the KIA Niro is more geared toward buyers who desire a discrete car due to its nice aesthetics and lack of attention-getting features.
Only the taillights, in my opinion, are more attractive. Niro otherwise appears understated.
The inside is mostly unchanged, with a pleasant atmosphere, a dashboard with a symmetry-based design, and overall good manufacturing quality.
True, the test car’s top-notch equipment and many amenities also helped to contribute to this.
Despite being somber, the interior boasts ample high-tech components. The dashboard is dominated by the 8.0 touchscreen.
The Niro is a crossover vehicle, which is fitting given that it has a modest amount of ground clearance and offers room inside that is comparable to that of compact class hatchback vehicles.
What kind of weight can a 2019 Kia Niro tow?
It can tow up to 2,000 pounds, and both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants are equipped with that capacity as standard.
A Kia Niro PHEV can be hitched to a trailer.
Unfortunately, due to the construction at the back of the vehicle being sufficiently different, the trailer hitches we offer for the 2021 Kia Niro aren’t suitable with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, also known as PHEVs.
I would suggest a trunk-mounted bike rack if you needed a hitch to transport bikes, such as the Yakima HalfBack 2-bike model, part number Y02634, or the # Y02635 for a 3-bike model. I’ve provided a link to a video that shows the Yakima HalfBack trunk mounted bike rack in action.
Make sure the surfaces of the car and the rack that come into contact are completely clean, that you don’t exceed the weight limit of the rack, and that the rack is mounted precisely as directed in the instructions to reduce the likelihood of damage the vehicle’s finish. If you plan to transport bikes regularly, you might want to protect the vehicle finish by purchasing some clear paint protection film from your neighborhood auto parts store.
Are hybrid vehicles suitable for pulling caravans?
Hybrid vehicles are well adapted to towing caravans or trailers, whereas the towing capacities of electric vehicles can vary widely, with many not even being permitted for towing.
Which SUV hybrid can tow 3500 lbs?
The 2018 Highlander Hybrid is going to save you trips to the gas station over its gas-only counterpart with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined. Additionally, when properly outfitted, the 3.5L engine can haul about 3,500 pounds. The Highlander Hybrid is spacious and stylish, with three rows that can accommodate eight passengers.
The towing capacity of a 2018 Kia Niro
Kia offers an Eco Driving Assistant system with coasting and predictive energy-guide functions for those who are concerned about their gas mileage. It instructs drivers on when to stop, coast, and take advantage of the topography of the road using data from the GPS-linked navigation system to best use or conserve energy. While location-based navigation in the infotainment system can direct drivers to the closest charging station should they need a charge on a longer trip, regenerative braking converts some kinetic energy into power for the battery pack. There will also be a towing package option, giving the Niro plug-in hybrid up to 2866 pounds of towing capacity, for individuals who are ready to give up some fuel economy for utility. We highly doubt that this shipment will ever reach the United States, but if it does, be prepared for a significantly worse rating there.
Although there has been no formal announcement regarding a U.S. debut, the Niro plug-in hybrid will go on sale in Europe this fall. In the following weeks, we ought to learn more.
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Is it possible to tow a trailer with a hybrid car?
Your hybrid or electric vehicle should be put on a flatbed trailer rather than being towed away if it breaks down. This is done to prevent damage to the on-board electronics, including the traction motor that produces electricity while coasting. The majority of manufacturers advise owners to get in touch with their breakdown service and expressly request a flatbed truck. The front wheels of an electric vehicle can occasionally be raised to tow the vehicle, however this is often only possible over a short distance. To learn what your manufacturer suggests, consult your manual.
Can an SUV hybrid tow a trailer?
Many people buy hybrid SUVs for their added spaciousness and fuel efficiency. However, many people also want to tow a camper trailer. Like their gas or diesel cousins, hybrid SUVs aren’t built with towing in mind. But that does not imply that it cannot be done.
Due to advances in technology, some hybrid SUVs can now tow up to 5,000 pounds. This can undoubtedly tow tiny camper trailers. The capabilities and restrictions of each vehicle are different. Therefore, before towing a trailer, users should check the towing capacities of their vehicles.
The Kona electric tow can it?
The 2020 Hyundai Kona is capable of towing up to 1300kg. This is a braked value; if a vehicle is rated to tow that much in the first place, its maximum weight without employing trailer brakes is 750 kg. If you wish to know the tow rating in tonnes, merely divide the kilogram value by 1000. Kilograms can alternatively be written as kilos. To make sure your 2020 Hyundai Kona adheres to the example given here, verify with the manufacturer or your owner’s manual before attempting to tow with any vehicle, ute, van, SUV, or 4×4.