The Telluride has never tried to be a truck. What it has always done, though, is give three-row SUV buyers more capability than most of its class is willing to offer. If you're asking how much a Kia Telluride can tow, the answer depends on one variable more than any other: which engine you choose.
What Is the 2027 Kia Telluride Towing Capacity?
The 2027 Kia Telluride new cars are offered in two powertrain configurations, and they produce meaningfully different towing numbers.
The standard gas engine, a 2.5L turbocharged four-cylinder, produces 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the Telluride can tow up to 5,000 lbs.
The hybrid powertrain pairs the same 2.5L turbo with an electric motor, bringing combined output to 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid's towing rating comes in at up to 4,500 lbs.
Although the hybrid produces more combined horsepower and torque, its maximum towing capacity is 4,500 lbs, compared with 5,000 lbs for the gas model. Kia confirms these different ratings in its official specifications but does not identify the added weight of the hybrid battery and electric components as the reason for the difference.
How Does the Telluride Towing Capacity Compare Across Gas and Hybrid?
For most buyers, 500 lbs is not a deciding factor. If you're pulling a boat, a horse trailer, or a loaded cargo trailer near the upper limit, the gas engine gives you a bit more room. If fuel efficiency and total driving range matter more to your daily use, the hybrid's 4,500-lb rating still handles the majority of recreational towing loads without issue.
What Can You Tow with 5,000 Lbs?
The Telluride's gas engine can handle:
Some motorboats and deck boats may fall within the Telluride's 5,000-lb towing limit, but buyers should check the combined weight of the boat, trailer, fuel, equipment, and other cargo before towing.
A loaded single-axle utility trailer carrying landscaping equipment, ATVs, or motorcycles falls comfortably within this capacity.
A mid-size travel trailer or pop-up camper rated under 5,000 lbs is a realistic match for Telluride owners who want to camp without renting a separate tow vehicle.
The hybrid has a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 lbs. Whether it is suitable for a particular boat, camper, or utility trailer depends on the trailer's loaded weight and the vehicle's applicable towing limits.
Does the Kia Telluride Tow the Same Across All Trims?
Kia's official 2027 Telluride specifications list a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs for all ten gas-powered trims. The official hybrid specifications list a maximum of 4,500 lbs for all five hybrid trims. However, Kia notes that towing requires additional equipment, so buyers should confirm the applicable requirements for their specific vehicle.
What is confirmed across all ten trim levels is that Trailer Stability Assist is standard equipment, meaning every Telluride comes with active towing safety technology built in, not reserved for upper trims.
Kia also notes that towing requires additional equipment and directs owners to the Owner's Manual for instructions. If you need trim-specific towing figures before you buy, confirm directly with your Kia dealer, as individual configurations can affect rated capacity.
Towing Features Built Into the 2027 Telluride
Beyond the raw numbers, the Telluride includes features that make towing more manageable day-to-day:
Trailer Stability Assist comes standard on every trim and actively monitors trailer sway to help the driver maintain control under load.
Available All-Wheel Drive with Terrain Mode offers Snow, Mud, and Sand settings to help manage traction in different driving conditions. AWD availability varies by trim, and Terrain Mode is available only on AWD-equipped models.
The Electronic Limited Slip Differential is standard on the gas-powered X-Pro SX and X-Pro SX Prestige trims. It helps manage torque distribution to improve traction in challenging driving conditions.
The available self-leveling rear suspension is designed to help maintain ride and handling under heavy-load conditions. Availability varies by trim, so buyers should confirm whether their selected configuration includes this feature.
Is the Kia Telluride One of the Best 3-Row SUVs for Towing?
With a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs for the gas model and 4,500 lbs for the hybrid, the 2027 Kia Telluride offers towing capability for a range of recreational uses. Buyers comparing three-row SUVs should check each vehicle's model-year-specific towing capacity and equipment requirements before deciding which model best meets their needs.
For NJ buyers who want a daily driver that can handle a camping trailer on weekends, it represents a stronger case than most people expect from a family-oriented crossover.
Shop the 2027 Kia Telluride at Sansone Kia, Woodbridge NJ
If you are searching for Kia telluride near me, you can explore the latest 2027 Kia Telluride inventory at Sansone Kia located at 90-100 US Hwy 1 North, Woodbridge, NJ 07001. Check to see available trims, features, and configurations. Check our current inventory for the latest availability, and visit our dealership to discuss your towing needs and find the Telluride that fits your requirements. Our team can help you compare available options of new and Kia Telluride used cars and answer your questions about the gas and hybrid models.
FAQs
How much can a Kia Telluride tow?
The 2027 Kia Telluride tows up to 5,000 lbs with the standard 2.5L turbocharged gas engine and up to 4,500 lbs with the hybrid powertrain. Both figures are confirmed on Kia's official U.S. website. Towing requires additional equipment, and buyers should confirm their specific configuration's rating with a dealer.
What is the Kia Telluride towing capacity on the hybrid?
The 2027 Kia Telluride hybrid towing capacity is 4,500 lbs. The hybrid is powered by a 2.5L turbo engine and an electric motor which together produce 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid has a maximum towing capacity of 4,500 lbs, compared with 5,000 lbs for the gas model. Kia confirms both ratings but does not explicitly attribute the difference to the weight of the hybrid battery and components.
Does towing capacity change by trim on the Telluride?
Kia’s 2027 Telluride page lists tow numbers by powertrain, not specific trim. Trailer Stability Assist is confirmed as standard equipment across all ten trims. For specific trim-level towing ratings, verify with a Kia dealer or the vehicle's specification sheet before purchase.
Can the Kia Telluride tow a boat?
Yes. The gas-powered Telluride has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Whether it can tow a particular boat depends on the combined weight of the boat, trailer, fuel, and equipment, along with the vehicle's applicable towing limits. The hybrid handles boats and trailers rated under 4,500 lbs. Buyers should always confirm their boat and trailer combined weight before towing and ensure the proper hitch equipment is installed.
Is the Kia Telluride good for towing compared to other 3-row SUVs?
The Telluride's 5,000-lb gas towing capacity is competitive at the top of the three-row family SUV segment. For buyers looking for a 3-row SUV that can handle recreational towing without compromising daily family use, the Telluride is among the stronger options in its class.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.