When adventure calls, are you ready? Whether you’re headed down to the lake for a day or you plan to spend weeks on the road with a camper, you need a vehicle that can meet your towing needs. The 2021 Kia Telluride does just that. When properly equipped, the latest Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds. That means you can feel secure hitching your boats, trailers, and other treasures to the back of your Telluride. When combined with its impressive array of safety, comfort, and convenience features, the towing capabilities of the Kia Telluride make it a must-buy.
Kia Telluride Towing Capabilities and Features
No matter which trim level you choose, from the base model LX to the fully loaded SX, the 2021 Kia Telluride has a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. Powered by a 3.8-liter Lambda DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine, the Telluride is ready to handle almost anything you decide to tow. You can expect it to put out 262 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm. This vehicle is capable of taking you and your equipment wherever you need to go, as long as it is properly equipped. You already know the Kia Telluride has the safety and performance features that make it perfect for work and play. Let’s explore the towing capabilities and equipment needed at each trim level. The 2021 Kia Telluride gives drivers four trim levels from which to choose.
LX
The LX is the base trim of the Kia Telluride. This trim provides the ultimate value without skimping on features. Just like the other levels, it has plenty of room for cargo, so you can pack in your camping gear and luggage and still leave room for passengers to sit comfortably. Travelers and adventurers continue to choose the Kia Telluride for its class-leading comfort, cargo room, and style.
You will have to add an optional tow hitch if you want to take advantage of the Telluride’s towing capacity. The hitch mounts directly to the frame, making it a quick and easy addition to your Telluride. Camper? Boat? Horse trailer? Dirt bike? Not a problem.
S
If you decide to level up to the S trim for your 2021 Kia Telluride, you get all of the essentials, plus additional options. Just like the other trim levels, it comes equipped with front-wheel drive. However, off-road enthusiasts and those who expect to do plenty of towing and hauling may want to upgrade to active on-demand all-wheel drive. This option, which comes with Lock and Snow modes, is available on all trim levels.
Similar to the LX, the S will need to be equipped with an optional tow hitch. While it can’t be ordered online, you can talk to your Kia dealer directly about adding the hitch. They will help get you set up and on the road in no time.
EX
Do you really want to upgrade your towing game? Opt for the EX trim level, and you can get the optional Trailer Tow Package. This package includes a factory-installed tow hitch, self-leveling rear suspension, bumper cover, and harness. These extras will help you reach the maximum towing capacity with ease.
The EX also opens up a world of options for your vehicle’s exterior, including optional exterior badging, front and rear skid plate, and front grille. Extras like power-folding outside mirrors, power sunroof, a power liftgate, and sound-absorbing front window glass all come standard on the EX. Finally, the EX features 18-inch alloy wheels that are ready and waiting to take you on the cross-country road trip of your dreams.
SX
For a vehicle that is loaded with the best features and finishes, you will want to choose the 2021 Kia Telluride SX. Just like the EX, the SX gives you the opportunity to opt for the Trailer Tow Package. The factory-installed tow hitch makes hooking up your trailer a breeze, allowing you to easily tow a pontoon boat, medium camper, horse trailer, and almost anything else you want to take with you when you hit the road.
The SX trim is also equipped with plenty of convenience and comfort features that will make towing a dream, no matter the distance. Wireless phone charger, six USB charger ports, automatic temperature control with automatic de-fogging, ventilated front seats, leather seat trim, and woodgrain interior accents all come standard in the EX and SX versions.
Safety and Security When Towing
To get the most out of your 2021 Kia Telluride, especially when you’re towing heavy equipment, you will want to opt for safety and security features to ensure a smooth ride. Features like rear occupant alert, safe exit assist, driver attention warning, lane following assist, forward collision warning, blind-spot detection, and lane-keeping assist come standard on all trim levels. The included electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, and hill start assist control can be especially helpful when you have a boat, camper, or other large object hooked to the back of your Telluride.
There are a few optional safety features you may want to consider as you think about future weekends and road trips in your Telluride. The SX trim includes forward parking distance warning, blind-spot view monitor, and highway driving assist, which can make all the difference on longer journeys. Highway driving assist is also included on the EX trim.
What Can the 2021 Kia Telluride Tow?
You can count on the 2021 Telluride to pull all kinds of items with ease. This SUV can accomplish this without compromising on your comfort or safety. However, it would be best if you first verified that your Telluride is well-equipped for your particular towing needs. For example, you need to fit the LX model with a good tow hitch or choose the special Telluride’s SUV package, which comes with an optional hitch.
The hitch increases the amount of room available in a Telluride. When you’re on a getaway with your family, you can use the trailer space for transporting things like sportswear, camping gear, and even toys. The Telluride is also ideal for transporting large items like sailboats, dirt bikes, family-sized campers, or pontoons.
When the vehicle is empty it is considered at its curb weight and can carry much heavier cargo. On the other hand, the SUV has a lighter load capacity when you count the weight of your passengers and cargo.
2021 Kia Telluride Cargo Capacity
You’ll be glad to learn that there is plenty of internal luggage space to keep your belongings during your trips. The cargo capacity consists of the following:
- A center console.
- 87 cubic feet of space behind the first row.
- 46 cubic feet of space behind the second row.
- 21 cubic feet of space behind the third row.
- A cargo floor with two levels.
Amazingly, this substantial cargo room doesn’t compromise your passenger’s comfort. The 2021 Kia Telluride’s spacious cabin offers 178.1 cubic feet of space for your passengers.
The 2021 Kia Telluride Versus Its Rivals
Compared to its competitors, the 2021 Kia Telluride has an outstanding performance since it has one of the highest towing capacities available. When fully equipped, the Kia Telluride has a towing capacity of up to 5000 pounds.
The Kia Telluride is among the top performers in the SUV category, competing with other leading brands like:
- The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
- The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
- The 2021 Hyundai Palisade, which can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
- The 2021 Honda Pilot, which can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
Specialized towing is an excellent way to enhance the performance of the SUV because it’s the manufacturer who installs the add-on at the factory.
Benefits of a Special Towing Package
If you want the best towing experience with your Telluride, go with the Trailer Tow Package that comes with the SUV. The optional equipment is included in the SX and EX trim levels.
A tow hitch fender cover protects your trailer hitch from the elements. Over time, rust can destroy your tow hitches, making them lose their structural capabilities, hence compromising the towing capacity of the Telluride. Moreover, if you frequently park the car outside, the tube of the tow hitch system can collect dust, other particles, and vermin. Pests can also cause further damage to the rest of the hitch assembly when they chew on the parts or poop inside the tubes, forcing a replacement. You can avoid all these using a bumper cover.
The Telluride has a self-leveling rear suspension system, allowing a seamless towing experience. The solid rear suspension helps stabilize the car and provides you complete control in different terrains, ensuring towing safety. The self-leveling rear suspension system maintains a steady vehicle height during travel, regardless of the weight it pulls.
A harness for towing is essential for safety as it connects your Telluride’s power system to your trailer’s power system.
For additional features, opt for the S trim level, a midsized SUV that comes with an optional all-wheel-drive function. The model has Torque Vectoring Cornering Handling, enhancing balance and stability on off-road excursions. The SUV also has Lock and Snow settings for dealing with snowy conditions.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, the 2021 Kia Telluride combines safety, convenience, comfort, and performance features to make it a marvel of towing and hauling. You don’t need to invest in a pickup truck to get the towing capacity you want and need. Pile the family into the Kia Telluride and take off on a trip knowing your vehicle can tow whatever you need up to 5,000 pounds. Whether you’re hooking up a pontoon boat, a camper, or another large item, the Kia Telluride can handle it with ease. Adventure is calling, so make sure you’re ready with the 2021 Kia Telluride. Contact Tom Kadlec Kia or stop by for a test drive.
*2020 Kia Telluride shown. Image courtesy of Kia.com.
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