Kia Telluride Towing Capacity: 2027 Ratings by Trim and Towing Features

What Is the Kia Telluride?

The Kia Telluride is a three-row midsize SUV built by Kia, and it is Kia’s flagship SUV. For 2027, the Telluride comes with a 2.5-liter turbo gas engine or, for the first time, a turbo hybrid powertrain.

Towing is one of the top reasons shoppers choose a Telluride. This guide covers the 2027 Kia Telluride towing capacity for every trim, using Kia’s published specifications. At Greenway Kia of Franklin, we want boat owners, campers and families with small trailers to know exactly what their Telluride can handle.

What Is the 2027 Kia Telluride Towing Capacity?

The 2027 Kia Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That maximum applies to every gas trim, from the LX to the X-Pro SX Prestige. The 2027 Telluride Hybrid is rated at up to 4,500 pounds.

These are Kia’s maximum ratings. Always confirm the towing capacity of the specific vehicle on its window sticker and in the owner’s manual.

Telluride Towing Capacity by Trim

Every gas Telluride trim shares the same 5,000-pound maximum. That means you do not need to buy the top trim to get the top towing number.

Gas Telluride Trims (5,000 lbs.)

• LX, S and EX: The core trims. AWD is available on the S and EX.
• X-Line EX, X-Line SX and X-Line SX Prestige: Rugged styling with standard AWD.
• SX and SX Prestige: Premium comfort and technology trims.
• X-Pro SX and X-Pro SX Prestige: The most off-road-ready trims, with 9.1 inches of ground clearance and a standard towing hitch.

Telluride Hybrid Trims (4,500 lbs.)

• EX, SX, X-Line SX, SX Prestige and X-Line SX Prestige are all rated at 4,500 pounds.

The hybrid gives up 500 pounds of towing but delivers far better fuel economy. The EPA rates the 2027 Telluride Hybrid at 31 to 35 mpg combined, depending on version, compared with 19 to 22 mpg combined for the gas models.

Which Telluride Trims Have a Tow Hitch?

The X-Pro SX and X-Pro SX Prestige come with a towing hitch as standard equipment. On every other gas and hybrid trim, Kia lists the towing hitch as an available option. If you plan to tow, ask our team about adding a hitch or choose a vehicle that already has one.

What Towing Features Does the Telluride Have?

The 2027 Telluride includes several features that make towing more confident. According to Kia’s 2027 feature chart:

• Tow Mode: Standard on every Telluride. It adjusts the vehicle to optimize towing performance.
• Trailer Stability Assist: Standard on every trim. It helps control trailer sway.
• Self-leveling rear suspension: Standard on the X-Line EX, SX, X-Line SX, SX Prestige, X-Line SX Prestige and X-Pro trims, and on Telluride Hybrid SX trims and above. It helps keep the SUV level when a trailer adds weight to the rear.
• All-wheel drive with Terrain Mode: AWD is standard on X-Line and X-Pro trims and available on others. Terrain Mode adds Snow, Mud and Sand settings for slick boat ramps and dirt roads.

What Can a Kia Telluride Tow?

A 5,000-pound rating covers many popular trailers. Common examples include:

1. Small to midsize boats on a single-axle trailer.
2. Pop-up and small travel trailers for weekend camping.
3. Utility trailers with lawn equipment or home-project materials.
4. Personal watercraft and ATVs on a two-place trailer.

Remember that the weight that counts is the fully loaded trailer, including fuel, water, gear and cargo. Check the trailer’s actual loaded weight, not just its empty weight, before you hitch up.

Understanding Towing Terms

Towing safely means staying within several limits, not just one. Here are the key terms, explained simply:

• Towing capacity is the most a properly equipped vehicle can pull, set by the manufacturer.
• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the most the SUV itself can weigh, including passengers, cargo and the trailer’s tongue weight. Kia lists the 2027 gas Telluride GVWR at 6,063 pounds for FWD and 6,261 pounds for AWD.
• Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer puts on the hitch. Your owner’s manual explains the correct range for your Telluride.
• Braked vs. unbraked describes whether the trailer has its own brakes. Heavier trailers generally need trailer brakes.

Passengers and cargo count against your limits. A full third row plus luggage leaves less room for trailer weight, so plan your load before a long trip.

Telluride vs. Other Kia SUVs for Towing

The Telluride has the highest towing rating among Kia’s gas SUVs. Here is how it compares with its closest Kia siblings for 2027:

If you also need a third row for daily use, the Telluride pairs its towing rating with up to eight seats. Our guide to Kias with third-row seating explains your family options.

Kia Telluride Towing Tips

A few simple habits make towing with your Telluride safer and easier:

• Use Tow Mode whenever a trailer is attached.
• Check tire pressure on both the SUV and the trailer before you leave.
• Leave extra following distance, since a trailer adds stopping distance.
• Practice backing up in an empty parking lot before your first trip.
• Keep up with maintenance. Towing is harder work, so follow the service schedule in your owner’s manual.

Does the Kia Telluride Hybrid Tow Less Than the Gas Model?

Yes, the 2027 Telluride Hybrid tows up to 4,500 pounds, which is 500 pounds less than the gas Telluride’s 5,000-pound rating. In return, the hybrid makes more power, with 329 combined horsepower and 339 lb.-ft. of torque, and earns much better fuel economy. The hybrid also carries a higher GVWR, at 6,283 pounds for FWD and 6,504 pounds for AWD, according to Kia’s specification sheet. If your trailer stays under 4,500 pounds, the hybrid can be a smart all-around choice for families who tow a few times a year and commute the rest of the time.

Find a Towing-Ready Telluride at Greenway Kia of Franklin

Ready to hitch up? Browse our new Kia Telluride inventory or the Telluride Hybrid, and compare features in our Kia Telluride trim levels guide.

Greenway Kia of Franklin serves drivers throughout the Nashville area, including Brentwood, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro and Madison. You can also browse all new vehicle inventory, get a trade-in value estimate or apply for financing. Visit us at 1413 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin, call sales at 615-538-1124, or contact our team to test drive a Telluride. Confirm the towing rating and equipment on the window sticker of any specific vehicle.

About the Author

This guide was prepared by the sales team at Greenway Kia of Franklin, a Kia dealership at 1413 Murfreesboro Road, Franklin, TN 37067, serving drivers throughout the Nashville area, including Brentwood, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro and Madison. Towing and specification details come from Kia America’s media site, and fuel-economy figures come from the EPA, as listed below.

References

Kia America media: 2027 Telluride Specifications — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/telluride/2027/specifications (5,000 lb. maximum towing on all 10 gas trims; 274 hp 2.5L turbo; GVWR 6,063 lbs. FWD / 6,261 lbs. AWD; 9.1 in. X-Pro ground clearance; seating)

Kia America media: 2027 Telluride Features & Options — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/telluride/2027/features (Tow Mode and Trailer Stability Assist standard; towing hitch standard on X-Pro, optional elsewhere; self-leveling rear suspension and AWD/Terrain Mode availability)

Kia America media: 2027 Telluride HEV Specifications — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/telluride-hev/2027/specifications (4,500 lb. towing on all 5 hybrid trims; 329 hp, 339 lb.-ft.)

Kia America media: 2027 Telluride HEV Features & Options — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/telluride-hev/2027/features (Hybrid hitch, Tow Mode, TSA and self-leveling suspension availability)

Kia America media: 2027 Sorento Specifications — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/sorento/2027/specifications (Sorento towing up to 4,500 lbs. on select trims)

Kia America media: 2027 Carnival Specifications — https://www.kiamedia.com/us/en/models/carnival/2027/specifications (Carnival 3,500 lb. braked towing)

EPA fueleconomy.gov: 2027 Kia Telluride — https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2027&year2=2027&make=Kia&baseModel=Telluride&srchtyp=ymm (Gas 19-22 mpg combined; hybrid 31-35 mpg combined)