The Kia Niro was introduced into Kia’s lineup as a compact crossover SUV in 2017 and remains available through today. The Niro is known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Kia Niro?
The Kia Niro has a towing capacity of 1,000 pounds across all trim levels and model years. Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing.
There’s a bit more to know about Kia Niro towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2023 Kia Niro Towing Capacity
The 2023 Kia Niro can tow between 1,000 pounds no matter the model year or trim level.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2023 Kia Niro can tow.
Note that Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing per its US owner’s manuals.
| Kia Niro Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| LX | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
| EX | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
| EX Touring | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
| SX | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
| SX Touring | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Kia Niro being put to a real-world towing test:
Kia Niro Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Kia Niro Braked Tow Capacity: 1,000 lbs / 453 kg
Kia Niro Unbraked Tow Capacity: 1,000 lbs / 453 kg
Kia Niro Towing Capacity Factors
There’s only one factor that affects the Kia Niro tow capacity, which is the weight of cargo and passengers you’ve got in the Niro when towing something.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Kia Niro, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Kia Niro Tow Package Info
Does The Kia Niro Have A Tow Package?
Kia does not offer a tow package for the Niro, so you’ll need to have one installed.
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Kia Niro?
If you plan on towing anything with your Kia Niro, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Kia Niro Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Kia Niro uses a Class 1 or Class 2 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class II Kia Niro trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. With a strong, welded steel build, this class 2 hitch package is rated for 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 350 lbs. tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- HIGHLY VERSATILE. Add useful, versatile towing options to your vehicle with this class 2 trailer hitch. It provides a standard 1-1/4-inch x 1-1/4-inch receiver hitch, allowing you to tow a small trailer or mount a cargo carrier or bike rack
- DUAL-COAT FINISH. For industry-leading rust, chip and UV resistance inside and out, this automotive tow hitch is submersed in a liquid A-coat and co-cured with a durable black powder coat finish
- EASY INSTALLATION. This class 2 hitch fits select model years of the Kia Niro (except Plug-In)
- TESTED FOR SAFETY. Each CURT class 2 trailer hitch design is thoroughly tested at our Detroit facility, using real vehicles in real-world conditions. Our hitches are tested to SAE J684 specs to give you confidence and safety on the road ahead
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Niro:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Kia Niro Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Kia Niro trailer hitch installation:
Kia Niro Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Niro, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Kia Niro?
The Kia Niro stock bumper is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide or an aftermarket bumper with a hitch ball on it.
Does My Kia Niro Have A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Niro to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Niro.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2022 Kia Niro Towing Capacity
The 2022 Kia Niro can tow between 1,000 pounds no matter the model year or trim level.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2022 Kia Niro can tow.
Note that Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing per its US owner’s manuals.
| Kia Niro Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| LX | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
| LXS | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
| LXS Special Edition | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
| Touring Special Edition | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
| EX Premium | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2021 Kia Niro Towing Capacity
The 2021 Kia Niro can tow between 1,000 pounds no matter the model year or trim level.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2020 Kia Niro can tow.
Note that Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing per its US owner’s manuals.
| Kia Niro Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2020 Kia Niro Towing Capacity
The 2020 Kia Niro can tow between 1,000 pounds no matter the model year or trim level.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2020 Kia Niro can tow.
Note that Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing per its US owner’s manuals.
| Kia Niro Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2019 Kia Niro Towing Capacity
The 2019 Kia Niro can tow between 1,000 pounds no matter the model year or trim level.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2019 Kia Niro can tow.
Note that Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing per its US owner’s manuals.
| Kia Niro Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2018 Kia Niro Towing Capacity
The 2018 Kia Niro can tow between 1,000 pounds no matter the model year or trim level.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2018 Kia Niro can tow.
Note that Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing per its US owner’s manuals.
| Kia Niro Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2017 Kia Niro Towing Capacity
The 2017 Kia Niro can tow between 1,000 pounds no matter the model year or trim level.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2017 Kia Niro can tow.
Note that Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing per its US owner’s manuals.
| Kia Niro Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
2016 Kia Niro Towing Capacity
The 2016 Kia Niro can tow between 1,000 pounds no matter the model year or trim level.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2016 Kia Niro can tow.
Note that Kia does not recommend using the Niro for towing per its US owner’s manuals.
| Kia Niro Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 1,000 lbs / 453 kg |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Kia Niro Owner’s Manuals on Kia’s website and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Kia Niro.