ranges from 2,000 pounds with the standard four-cylinder engine up to 3,500 pounds with the turbocharged engine—all enhanced by Kia’s safety and driver-assistance features.

When you think about the Kia Soul, chances are you think about a quirky crossover that can fit your whole crew. You probably don’t think about a vehicle with a large towing capacity. But with the Soul, you might be pleasantly surprised to know that if you’re looking to haul smaller items, like a motorbike or large couch, the Kia Soul can do it.

However, the maximum towing capacity will differ based on engine size and power, drivetrain, transmission, and the total weight of the vehicle.

If you’re planning to take a cross-country adventure in your Kia Soul but aren’t sure if it can haul your camper,

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is here with everything you need to know about the towing capacity of the 2022 Kia Soul. We’ll cover the Soul’s maximum towing capacity, determine your towing capacity needs, and discuss what you can do to maximize your Soul’s towing power.

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How much can a Kia Soul tow?

Base towing capacity: 2,000 pounds

Maximum towing capacity: 2,400 pounds (braked)

Engines: 2.0L 147-hp MPI 4-cylinder engine

Of the boxy-shaped vehicles that have been produced by car manufacturers, the Kia Soul is the only one that’s lasted. It competes with other subcompact crossovers like the Kia Seltos and the Jeep Renegade but offers a more unusual appearance and ranks as a favorite small crossover.

The Soul comes standard with a 147-horsepower 2.0L four-cylinder engine, which can be upgraded to a more powerful 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder. The latter gives it a perkier ride—and perhaps a better towing capacity.

If you’re planning to tow small loads with your Kia Soul, Kia offers some great safety and driver-assistance features that include:

Safe exit assist

Drive mode select with snow mode

Blind spot collision warning & avoidance assist

Rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist

Torque-vectoring cornering control

Hill-start assist control

Adaptive AWD with lock mode

All-weather capability

That said, if you’re looking to tow heavy loads, the Kia Soul isn’t the vehicle for you.

Trailer hitches for the Kia Soul

The Kia Soul doesn’t come equipped with the gear and features to tow, so you’ll have to invest in an aftermarket hitch like the

Curt Class 1 Trailer Hitch

that’s rated for up to 2,000 pounds and up to 200 pounds tongue weight.

If you’re going to attach a trailer hitch to your Soul, you’ll also want to see if you’re able to add Kia’s tow package that includes:

Locking center differential and torque vectoring cornering control (TVCC)

Blind spot collision warning

Rear cross-traffic collision warning

Electronic stability control

Traction control system

Hill-start assist control

Keep in mind that even though the Kia Soul is capable of towing up to 2,400 pounds, the manufacturer warranty is void if you choose to tow. Any towing takes a big toll on your transmission and can cause major damage—especially if you’re towing loads heavier than your Soul can handle.

MORE:

How to install a tow bar

How to calculate the towing capacity you need

While the Kia Soul's towing capacity may not be anything near that of the

Lincoln Navigator

or the Jeep Wagoneer, it is capable of pulling smaller loads. That said, you’ll want to make sure that if you choose to tow, the towing capacity of the Soul exceeds the total weight of what you’re hauling to avoid damage to your vehicle and unsafe driving conditions.

Here are some examples of what you can tow with the Kia Soul:

Kayak/canoe trailer (200 to 800 lbs.)

ATV hauler, empty (600 to 1,500 lbs.)

Small enclosed utility trailer, empty (400 to 1,800 lbs.)

Small open utility trailer, empty (300 to 1,100 lbs.)

Motorcycle trailer, unloaded (300 to 800 lbs.)

Keep in mind that these weights are estimates, and you’ll want to calculate the total weight of what you’re towing when fully loaded to ensure road safety.

How to increase towing capacity

If you want to increase the towing capacity of your Kia Soul, you’ll have to modify the vehicle to allow for more effective weight distribution. But in doing so, you cannot exceed the manufacturer's suggested weight, as this can damage your vehicle. Exceeding these recommendations by over 1,000 pounds is dangerous and puts both you and others at risk.

Here are some tips to help your Soul haul a heavier load:

Upgrade your hitch

Add a weight-distribution hitch

Change to larger brake pads and rotors

Upgrade to a larger radiator to enhance your Soul’s ability to maintain its temperature

While the Kia Soul may be able to pull up to 2,400 pounds, most items do exceed the towing capacity. That means if you need to haul heavier loads, you may want to upsize to a vehicle with a larger towing capacity. The Jeep Cherokee comes with AWD and a 4,500-pound maximum towing capacity, while the Ford Escape and Ford Edge both offer a 3,500-pound towing capacity.

MORE:

Why you should consider an SUV over a sedan

How to find affordable car insurance

The Kia Soul offers a decent towing capacity, but if you’re planning to hit the road hauling small items in your Soul, you’ll first want to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage to keep yourself protected.

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All you have to do is download the Jerry app, answer a few questions, and in less than 45 seconds Jerry searches through over 50 of the top insurance providers to find you the best deals. Once you pick a policy, Jerry’s team of experts will get to work finalizing the details so you can hit the road, trailer in tow, knowing you’re completely covered.

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FAQs

Is the Kia Soul good for towing?

While the Kia Soul may have a maximum towing capacity of 2,400 pounds, it’s not the most ideal car for towing. That said, it does have the ability to pull a light camper under 1,500 pounds. But if you’re looking for anything over that weight, it’s best to use a vehicle with a larger towing capacity.

Can you put a trailer hitch on a Kia Soul?

The Kia Soul doesn’t come equipped with a hitch and towing features from the manufacturer, but you can add an aftermarket trailer hitch like the

Curt Class 1 Trailer Hitch

that’s rated for towing up to 2,000 pounds.

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