Whether you’re driving a Stinger or Sorento, if you think your Kia can haul, think again. A hitch does not come standard on any Kia models. Yet there are still ways for you to get one installed on your ride—either as an add-on when buying new or as an aftermarket part.

Kia is a cult favorite, loved by many for its reliable budget rides. Kias may not come standard with all the bells and whistles, but the carmaker offers a bevy of options for you to tack on, so you only really pay for what you need.

If a trailer hitch is something you want,

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is here to help you out. Read on for our guide to everything you need to know about Kia trailer hitches.

Which Kias come with a trailer hitch?

No Kias come with a trailer hitch. If you want to outfit your Kia with a trailer hitch, you’ll have to add it on as either an at- or after-purchase accessory. But not all models or trims offer an add-on hitch, so depending on your ride, you may have to do some shopping around.

Don’t get down, though! Whatever you drive, you’ll likely still need to do some shopping if you want to hook up a trailer to your Kia. Why? To tow, you need more than just a hitch.

Towing requires two separate accessories: a trailer hitch and a ball mount. These two accessories work together to pull the weight of your load. When Kia offers a trailer accessory, it's only really offering the hitch.

Check out this table below to discover your vehicle’s towing capacity and the in-house hitch options available for your model.

Model	Maximum towing capacity	Trailer hitch price	Ball mount price
2023 Sportage (X-Line AWD, SX, SX Prestige, X-Pro, X-Pro Prestige)	2,500 lbs	$500	N/A
2023 Carnival MPV	3,500 lbs	$575	N/A
2022 Telluride	5,000 lbs	$475	N/A
2022 EV6	2,300 lbs	$540	N/A

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What if my Kia isn’t on this list?

You might notice that over half of Kia’s lineup is missing from the list, specifically these models:

2022 Soul

2022 Seltos

2022 Niro

2022 Rio

2022 Forte

2022 K5

2022 Stinger

Unfortunately, they’re missing because Kia doesn’t offer a trailer hitch accessory for these rides. Does this mean these models can’t tow? It depends.

While some can, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they should. Sure, you can find folks online who fixed up their vehicle after purchase. But the manufacturer doesn’t recommend towing with these models for a reason, so you’d be wise to play it safe.

MORE:

Kia Optima Hybrid towing capacity

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How to pick a Kia trailer hitch

If you’ve already brought home your Kia and you’re looking to install a hitch post-purchase, there are a few things you’ll need to know. First, you’ll need to pick the right hitch for your model. When it comes to hitches, you have a few to choose from:

Receiver hitch: This hitch is the most common. It attaches to your vehicle’s frame and meets safety standards.

Front-mounted hitch: It’s not done often, but if you need to carry stuff in front of your Kia, then you’ll want to consider attaching this hitch.

Bumper hitch: These hitches aren’t as secure as a receiver hitch, so they can’t carry as much weight.

Genuine Kia trailer hitches vs. aftermarket hitches for Kia

Some Kia drivers can only consider aftermarket hitches. For drivers who do have the option to buy a Kia accessory, note that you, too, have the option to purchase a hitch post-purchase.

What’s the advantage of purchasing an aftermarket hitch? Savings. You can save as much as $315 by purchasing an aftermarket hitch.

And they’re pretty easy to find. Just plug in your vehicle’s info into U-Haul or Amazon to find the right parts for your model. Some U-Haul locations can even help with the install!

So if you can save money on the aftermarket, then why would someone opt for the manufacturer’s product? The guarantee. If you build your hitch into your model pre-purchase, you can rest assured you’re getting the right fit for your ride.

Intro to trailer classes

Whether you shop for your hitch with the manufacturer or aftermarket, make sure you purchase a hitch for the right trailer class. There are five classes, and each is determined by weight:

Class I: Up to 2,000 lbs

Class II: 2,000 to 3,500 lbs

Class III: 3,500 to 8,000 lbs

Class IV: 5,000 to 12,000 lbs

Class V: 10,000 to 25,000 lbs

The best Kia Sportage trailer hitch

If you’re cruising in the new Sportage, you should look out for a Class II or III trailer hitch. The Class II hitch can pull up to 3,500 pounds while the Class III hitch can pull up to a whopping 8,000 pounds.

Just keep in mind, the Sportage can pull a maximum of 2,500 pounds. With this towing capacity, you’ll be able to pull a small camper, cargo tray, or boat.

The OEM option ($500):

2023 Kia Sportage Tow Hitch w/ Harness

The aftermarket option ($148.99):

CURT 13066 Class 3 Trailer Hitch

The best Kia Carnival MPV trailer hitch

A Kia Carnival MPV will also need a Class III hitch. Remember, your Carnival can tow a maximum of 3,500 pounds. So while the Class III hitch can pull more than 3,500, your vehicle can’t. With these hitches, you can tow what a Sportage can tow—and then some.

The OEM option ($575):

2023 Kia Carnival MPV Tow Hitch

The aftermarket option ($214.95):

CMF13478 Trailer Hitch

MORE:

Kia Soul towing capacity

The best Kia Telluride trailer hitch

Telluride drivers can use a Class III trailer hitch. A Telluride has the greatest maximum towing capacity in the Kia lineup, clocking in at 5,000 pounds. Unlike other models, the Telluride is the only vehicle in Kia’s lineup to offer a Towing Package outside of the add-on accessory hitch option. The package is offered only on the EX and SX trims, and it comes with self-leveling rear suspension and a tow hitch with a port-installed option.

The OEM accessory option ($475):

2022 Kia Telluride Tow Hitch w/ Harness

The OEM package option ($795):

2022 Kia Telluride Towing Package

The aftermarket option ($198.99):

CURT 13420 Class 3 Trailer Hitch

The best Kia EV6 trailer hitch

The Kia EV6 tows the least of its Kia peers, pulling up to 2,300 pounds. With this maximum capacity, you’ll need to look out for a Class II hitch when shopping around.

The OEM option ($540):

2022 Kia EV6 Tow Hitch

The aftermarket option ($224.38):

CURT 121583 Class 2 Trailer Hitch

MORE:

Kia Sorento LX towing capacity

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How to install a trailer hitch on a Kia

We’ve talked a lot about how to pick out your trailer hitch. But what do you do once you get one?

You’ve got two options. If you’ve got some automotive savvy and feel like rolling up your sleeves, you can go the DIY route and install it yourself. This will save you some money.

That said, going to a professional is the best way to ensure it’s installed correctly—which could prevent accidents and damages, saving you some hassle and money in the long run.

If you go the professional route, you can head on over to your Kia dealer, garage, or your local U-Haul. Any of these places should be able to install the hitch for you. You’ll usually have to shell out around $100 to $250 for the labor. In total, the labor plus the equipment will cost you around $400 bucks.

Alright, we gave our professional pitch. Now for the DIY. First, you’re going to need to get your tools in order. Make sure you have each of the following ready in your kit:

A socket set

A ratchet and ratchet extension

A swivel socket

A torque wrench

Work gloves, safety glasses, and a work light

The hitch you purchase should come with instructions for installation. If it doesn’t, that’s a red flag—contact the distributor for more info. Make sure to follow these directions exactly, and follow these tips to ensure success:

Make your life easier by placing your Kia on jack stands. Elevation will provide you with better access to the rear of your vehicle, where you’ll be attaching the hitch.

Note that towing hardware isn’t light—some pieces can weigh up to 50 pounds. So call on an assistant to help you out!

Don’t forget to torque all bolts, adhering to the exact specifications laid out in your instructions.

MORE:

Everything you need to know about Kia electric cars

How to upgrade your Kia insurance

You’re ready to hit the road and tow?! Now that you’re carting around some important cargo, it’s more prescient than ever to secure solid

Kia car insurance

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