Kia Niro Towing Capacity: Can It Tow a Camper Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

The Kia Niro is a popular hybrid subcompact crossover SUV. This article will discuss its towing capacity and compare it against the weighing limits of different types of trailers. We’ll also compare it against the towing capacities of other cars in the same category.

The Kia Niro has a braked towing of 1,323 pounds and braked towing capacity of 2,866 pounds. These are unofficial numbers, and Kia does not recommend its users use this car for towing purposes. However, these numbers are extensively tested and verified. You can rely on them in the case of an emergency towing.

Now that we have identified the maximum towing capacity of this car, let’s see if it’s enough for heavy-duty towing, or you’ll have to look for other options. Below we have drawn three tables in which we discuss the towing capacity of the Kia Niro and analyze its performance in various situations. Let’s get started.

Also read: 6 Common Problems Of A Kia Niro Hybrid

Maximum Towing Capacity By Year

Kia Niro is a relatively new car that has been around for just a few years. Most manufacturers, such as Kia, do not provide exact details for towing purposes, yet they produce a competent car that can tow in emergencies. The same is the case with Kia Niro that has a decent towing capacity.

The following table mentions the towing capacities of this car spread over several years. We notice that there hasn’t been a change/improvement in this regard, and it indicates that this will be the case in the future as well. It is doubtful that Kia will improve its design or engine variants to improve these figures.

Also, read Kia Forte Towing Capacity.

Can It Tow a Trailer, Boat, or Jet Ski?

There are a lot of trailers that come in all shapes and sizes. We have done an extensive research to identify the weighing limits of different types of trailers. We have then matched these weight limits against the towing capacity of Kia Niro.

Kia Niro can tow small and medium-sized trailers with a maximum weight limit of 2,866 pounds. These include Canoe/Kayak, Jet Ski, Teardrop, and Small Open Utility Trailers. It can tow large-sized trailers when they are not fully loaded. These include a large boat trailer and a large utility trailer. As official towing stats do not back this car, we recommend that you only tow with this car in the case of an emergency.

Also read: Types Of Gas A Kia Niro Takes (Explained)

• Kayak: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow a kayak trailer. On average, an empty kayak trailer will weigh 200 pounds. A loaded kayak trailer will weigh an average of 400 pounds with a maximum of 800 pounds which is well within the range of the Kia Niro.

• Jet Ski Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty jet ski trailer. On average, an empty jet ski trailer will weigh 300 pounds. A loaded jet ski trailer will weigh an average of 1,800 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• Motorcycle Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow a motorcycle trailer. On average, an empty motorcycle trailer will weigh 500 pounds. A loaded motorcycle trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds with a maximum of 3,500 which is within the range of the Kia Niro.

• Teardrop Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow a teardrop trailer. On average, an empty teardrop trailer will weigh 1,700 pounds. A loaded teardrop trailer will weigh an average of 2,400 pounds which is within the range of the  Kia Niro. Some teardrop trailers will weigh a maximum of 6,000 pounds, outside of the limits of the  Kia Niro.

• Small Open Utility Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty small open utility trailer. On average, an empty small open utility trailer will weigh 700 pounds. A loaded small open utility trailer will weigh an average of 2,500 pounds with a maximum of 3,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• A-Frame Camper: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty a-frame camper. On average, an empty a-frame camper weighs 1,700 pounds. A loaded a-frame camper will weigh an average of 2,900 pounds with a maximum of 3,600 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• Small Enclosed Utility Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty small enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty small enclosed utility trailer weighs 1,000 pounds. A loaded small enclosed utility trailer will weigh an average of 3,200 pounds with a maximum of 7,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• Fishing Boat Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty fishing boat trailer. On average, an empty fishing boat trailer weighs 600 pounds. A loaded fishing boat trailer will weigh an average of 3,300 pounds with a maximum of 6,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• Pop-Up Camper: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty pop-up camper. On average, an empty pop-up camper weighs 2,300 pounds. A loaded pop-up camper will weigh an average of 3,400 pounds with a maximum of 4,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• Small Travel Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty small travel trailer. On average, an empty small travel trailer weighs 2,800 pounds. A loaded small travel trailer will weigh an average of 3,600 pounds with a maximum of 4,500 pounds, outside of the range of the  Kia Niro.

• Tow Dolly: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty tow dolly. On average, an empty tow dolly weighs 600 pounds. A loaded tow dolly will weigh an average of 4,000 pounds with a maximum of 5,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• Large Enclosed Utility Trailer: ALl Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty large enclosed utility trailer. On average, an empty large enclosed utility trailer weighs 2,700 pounds. A loaded large enclosed utility trailer weighs an average of 7,100 pounds with a maximum of 10,000 pounds, outside of the range of the  Kia Niro.

• Small Horse Trailer: No Kia Niro models will be able to tow a small horse trailer. On average, an empty small horse trailer weighs 2,900 pounds. A loaded small horse trailer weighs an average of 7,200 pounds with a maximum of 8,000 pounds, outside of the range of the  Kia Niro.

• Car Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty car trailer. On average, an empty car trailer weighs 1,900 pounds. A loaded car trailer weighs an average of 9,000 pounds with a maximum of 15,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• Large Flatbed Trailer: No Kia Niro model will be able to tow a large flatbed trailer. On average, an empty  large flatbed trailer weighs 3,000 pounds. A loaded large flatbed trailer weighs an average of 10,400 pounds with a maximum of 26,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

• Large Boat Trailer: All Kia Niro models will be able to tow an empty large boat trailer. On average, an empty large boat trailer weighs 2,200 pounds. A loaded large boat trailer weighs an average of 13,600 pounds with a maximum of 34,000 pounds, outside of the range of the Kia Niro.

How Well Can It Tow Compared to its Competitors?

The following table mentions the towing capacities of several cars in the same category as the Kia Niro. Looking at the table, we realize that Kia Niro has a below-average towing capacity. Most of the cars in its competition, such as the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq 5, 2020 Honda Insight, and 2020 Hyundai Kona, have more towing capacities. This is one area where Kia must show improvement, and we may see this happening in the future.

Stefan K.

Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.

I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.

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