The Kia Soul was introduced into Kia’s lineup as a mid-size crossover SUV in 2002 and remains available through today. The Soul 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 Soul?
The Kia Soul has a towing capacity of up to 2,500 pounds depending on the model year. Kia does not recommend using a Kia Soul for towing, but it can still be done with the
There’s a bit more to know about Kia Soul towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2023 Kia Soul Towing Capacity
The 2023 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2023 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| LX | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
| S | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
| GT-Line | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
| EX | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 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 Soul being put to a real-world towing test:
Kia Soul Braked Vs. Unbraked Tow 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 Soul Braked Tow Capacity: up to 2,500 lbs.
Kia Soul Unbraked Tow Capacity: 1,653 lbs / 750 kg
Kia Soul Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Kia Soul tow capacity.
Model Year
The Soul’s tow capability varied a little by year and generation.
The early model years had a max towing capability ranging from 4,900 lbs to 12,000 lbs, while the later models can only tow up to 8,100 pounds.
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 Soul, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Kia Soul Tow Package Info
Does The Kia Soul Have A Tow Package?
Kia does not offer a towing package for the Soul, so you’ll need to have one installed or install one yourself.
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Kia Soul?
If you plan on towing anything with your Kia Soul, 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 Soul Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Kia Soul uses a Class 1 or 2 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class I Kia Soul trailer hitch:
- 1-1⁄4 in. Square Receiver Tube Opening
- Rated Up To 2,000 lbs. Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) And Up To 200 lbs. Tongue Weight (TW)
- All Hitches Are Designed For Customers With Passenger Cars And Sport Utility Vehicles
- Removable Drawbar, Pin, And Clip Sold Separately
- Clean Appearance That Attaches To The Vehicle's Frame And/Or Bumper
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Soul:
- 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 Soul Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Kia Soul trailer hitch installation:
Kia Soul Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Soul, 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 Soul?
The Kia Soul 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.
How Do I Know If My Kia Soul Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Soul 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 Soul.
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 Soul Towing Capacity
The 2022 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2022 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| LX | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
| S | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
| GT-Line | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
| X-Line | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
| EX | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
| Turbo | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
2021 Kia Soul Towing Capacity
The 2021 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2021 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
2020 Kia Soul Towing Capacity
The 2020 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2020 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
2019 Kia Soul Towing Capacity
The 2019 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,500 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2019 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,500 lbs / 1,135 kg |
2018 Kia Soul Tow Capacity
The 2018 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,500 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2018 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,500 lbs / 1,135 kg |
2017 Kia Soul Towing Capacity
The 2017 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2017 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
2016 Kia Soul Towing Capacity
The 2016 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2016 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
2015 Kia Soul Tow Capacity
The 2015 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,425 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2015 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,425 lbs / 1,111 kg |
2014 Kia Soul Tow Capacity
The 2014 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,400 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2014 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,400 lbs / 1,100 kg |
2013 Kia Soul Tow Capacity
The 2013 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,645 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2013 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,645 lbs / 1,200 kg |
2012 Kia Soul Tow Capacity
The 2012 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,425 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2012 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,425 lbs / 1,111 kg |
2011 Kia Soul Tow Capacity
The 2011 Kia Soul can tow up to 2,425 pounds across all trim levels.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2011 Kia Soul can tow.
| Kia Soul Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| All | 2,425 lbs / 1,111 kg |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Kia Soul 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 Soul.