Kia Sorento Towing Capacity

You can find 180 different trims/engines for the Kia Sorento and their corresponding recommended towing capacity.

The years available stretch from 2003 through to 2022 and to view the towing capacity you just click to expand.

The Sorento is a mid-sized crossover SUV manufactured by the Korean company Kia. The initial release took place in February 2002 and it was built as an SUV with an on-body frame.

The early editions featured dual airbags on both the front and sides of the vehicle. The majority of Sorentos were two-wheel drive, with the ability to add four-wheel drive to the upper trims.

They typically had just two transmission options, five-speed manual or a four/five-speed automatic with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and 192 brake horsepower. Two trims levels were available, the LX and EX and featured AM/FM radio, CD player, 8 speakers, air conditioning, tinted windows, alloy wheels, keyless entry, wood interior trim and heated front seats as standard.

2007 saw an update that allowed for better towing capacity moving from 3,500 pounds to 5,000 pounds. In addition to the increase in towing ability, Kia made the decision to remove the 5-speed manual transmission option, leaving only the 5-speed automatic. The updated Sorento was awarded the highest score in safety crash testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The second generation (2009) saw a huge change in overall aesthetic, technology and interior design, so much so that the Vice President wanted to change the name (which was rejected). The new model became Kia’S first car to be manufactured in Northern America, offering an additional 2 extra trim levels; Base, LX, EX and SX. 2014 saw some cosmetic changes along with a reimagined instrument panel, tail lights (taken from the Kia Optima) and the removal of the 6-speed manual transmission engine.

The fourth generation debuted in 2020, had a longer wheelbase and was available in either hybrid or straight gasoline engines. That year, the Sorento was awarded ‘What Cars?’ large SUV of the year. This new model is built on the N Platform that is also used under the Sportage and the K5 sold by Kia.