Kia Telluride Towing Capacity by Year, Engine & Trim

The Telluride has been one of the most awarded vehicles since its 2020 launch, winning multiple "best SUV" designations. Its towing capability is a significant part of that success — 5,500 lbs from a $37,000 three-row crossover beats the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Chevy Traverse, all of which cap at 5,000 lbs. For an explanation of how tow ratings work, our towing capacity guide covers the basics.

Use our towing capacity lookup tool to check your exact Telluride configuration.

The maximum Kia Telluride towing capacity is 5,500 lbs, available on every trim level when equipped with the factory towing package. The package includes a trailer hitch with a 2-inch receiver, a 4-pin and 7-pin wiring harness, and an integrated transmission oil cooler. Higher trims add a self-leveling rear suspension that helps maintain ride height under tongue weight loads.

The 3.8L Lambda V6 is the only engine available. It's a naturally aspirated, direct-injected unit that produces 291 hp at 6,000 RPM and 262 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 RPM. The high RPM torque peak means the Telluride works harder at low speeds than turbocharged competitors — but the 8-speed automatic compensates by keeping the engine in the power band during acceleration with a trailer.

Without the towing package, the Telluride's rating drops to approximately 3,500 lbs. The difference comes entirely from the transmission oil cooler — without it, Kia can't certify the transmission to handle the thermal load of 5,500 lbs during sustained grade pulls.

⚠️ Warning: Kia dealers sometimes add aftermarket hitches that don't include the transmission oil cooler. If the hitch was added post-purchase, verify the towing package (not just the hitch receiver) is present. A Telluride with only an aftermarket hitch and no transmission cooler is rated at 3,500 lbs — not 5,500.

For finding your specific rating, our guide on how to find towing capacity covers the options.

The Telluride's tow rating has remained unchanged since its 2020 launch. Every model year uses the same 3.8L V6, 8-speed automatic, and platform.

Use the tool below to confirm your Telluride's year and configuration.

Source: Kia Motors America Specifications (kia.com); Edmunds vehicle specifications (edmunds.com)

The consistency makes used Telluride shopping simple. A 2020 Telluride with the towing package has the same 5,500 lb rating as a 2025. The 2023 mid-cycle refresh added updated exterior styling, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, and revised cabin materials — but no mechanical changes that affect towing.

💡 Pro Tip: The 2020–2022 Telluride with the towing package is the best used value in the three-row crossover segment. These models sell for $28,000–36,000 and deliver 5,500 lbs of towing — the same as a new model costing $37,000–52,000. The only towing-relevant change in later years is the self-leveling rear suspension on certain 2023+ trims.

The Telluride at 5,500 lbs covers most recreational towing needs for a family-oriented SUV. It bridges the gap between lightweight crossovers (3,500 lbs) and body-on-frame SUVs (7,000+ lbs).

Telluride at 5,500 lbs — Comfortable Loads

• Travel trailers (18–22 ft): 3,500–5,000 lbs loaded
• Pop-up campers: 1,500–2,800 lbs — well within capacity
• Teardrop trailers: 1,000–2,500 lbs
• Aluminum bass boats (16–18 ft): 2,000–3,500 lbs on trailer
• Pontoon boats (16–19 ft): 2,500–4,500 lbs on trailer
• Jet skis (single or double): 1,000–2,200 lbs
• Enclosed cargo trailers (5×8): 1,800–3,500 lbs loaded
• Utility trailers: Up to 4,500 lbs loaded

What Exceeds the Telluride's Capacity

• Travel trailers over 24 feet: Typically 5,500–8,000 lbs loaded
• Bass/ski boats over 20 feet: Often 5,000–7,000 lbs on trailer
• Large pontoon boats (22+ ft): 5,000–6,500 lbs on trailer
• Horse trailers: Most single-horse trailers start at 3,500 lbs empty, 5,000+ loaded

⚠️ Warning: A travel trailer listed at 4,200 lbs dry weight typically hits 5,400–5,800 lbs loaded. At 5,800 lbs, you've exceeded the Telluride's 5,500 lb capacity. Always calculate loaded weight — not dry weight — when matching trailers to the Telluride. For a weight-by-type breakdown, our camper towing capacity guide covers every camper class.

For boat-specific weights, our boat towing guide breaks down trailer weights by boat type and size.

The Telluride's 5,500 lb rating leads most competitors at its price point. Here's the full segment comparison.

Source: Manufacturer specifications via Edmunds (edmunds.com) and KBB (kbb.com)

Only the Ford Explorer ST at 5,600 lbs beats the Telluride in this segment — and the Explorer ST costs $10,000 more. The Telluride offers the best towing-dollars-per-pound ratio in the three-row crossover class.

The Hyundai Palisade is the Telluride's platform twin. Same engine, same transmission, same tow rating, $1,000 more in base price. The choice is purely styling and feature preferences.

The Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot at 5,000 lbs both trail the Telluride by 500 lbs while costing $4,000–5,000 more. For a complete segment ranking, see our SUV towing capacity rankings.

💡 Key Insight: The Telluride's 3.8L naturally aspirated V6 delivers its torque at higher RPM than turbocharged competitors. This means the engine sounds busier when towing at highway speed. It's not less capable — just louder. The 8-speed automatic compensates well, but expect higher RPMs on sustained grades compared to turbocharged SUVs.

The Telluride's tow rating is remarkably simple — same engine, same transmission, same rating across all trims. The main variables are the towing package and payload management.

Towing Package Is the Only Variable

With the tow package: 5,500 lbs. Without it: ~3,500 lbs. This is the only equipment-based difference. No engine, drivetrain, or trim selection changes the number.

Payload Matters

Telluride payload is approximately 1,460–1,590 lbs depending on trim and options. A 5,500 lb trailer at 10–15% tongue weight puts 550–825 lbs on the hitch — 35–57% of payload before passengers and cargo. Understanding tongue weight keeps you within safe operating limits. The towing capacity vs payload relationship is worth studying.

A weight distribution hitch is recommended for loads over 3,500 lbs to redistribute tongue weight and maintain front-axle steering control.

AWD vs FWD

Both FWD and AWD Tellurides share the same 5,500 lb tow rating. AWD doesn't increase towing capacity, but it provides better traction when launching from a stop on wet or loose surfaces with a loaded trailer — worthwhile for boat ramps and gravel campgrounds.

⚠️ Warning: The Telluride's self-leveling rear suspension (available on 2023+ SX and SX Prestige) automatically adjusts ride height under load. This improves handling with a trailer but doesn't increase payload or tow rating. Don't confuse level ride height with more capacity — the mechanical limits are unchanged.

Use the Can I Tow This calculator to verify your Telluride handles your planned load. Make sure your hitch type matches your trailer.

The Telluride is the best-value three-row crossover for towing — 5,500 lbs at a $37,000 starting price is unmatched in the segment.

Buy the Telluride for towing if:

• Your typical load is 3,000–5,000 lbs (travel trailers under 22 ft, boats, campers, utility trailers)
• Value matters — no competitor matches 5,500 lbs at this price
• You want three-row family seating with the segment's best towing capability
• You tow 5–15 times per year for recreation
• The X-Pro's off-road access appeals for reaching campgrounds and boat ramps

Don't buy the Telluride for towing if:

• You need over 5,500 lbs — a body-on-frame SUV or truck is required
• You tow weekly or at maximum capacity — a truck platform handles sustained towing better
• You want a V8 or turbocharged powertrain for more confident hill climbing under load
• You need body-on-frame durability for long-term, frequent towing use

💡 Pro Tip: Order the Telluride with the towing package from the factory. The towing package includes the transmission oil cooler that enables the 5,500 lb rating — without it, you're leaving 2,000 lbs of towing capacity on the table. The package typically adds only $350–500 to the sticker price.