How much can the 2025-2026 Kia Sorento PHEV tow?
The question
I am interested in purchasing a Kia Sorento 1.6 PHEV, 2025 or 2026 model year. I am getting conflicting info regarding its towing capabilities of braked trailers.
Garages are claiming 1,700kg whereas the book says 1,010kg. I believe the UK cars are up to 1,700kg from what I can ascertain.
Can you possibly clarify the situation for me please as I don’t want to make a mistake? I wish to tow a box van trailer with a very light load making the total weight of approx. no more than 1,200kg. I need the four-wheel drive for soft ground towing (fields).
Asked by Declan ·
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
We spoke to Kia Ireland about this and we now understand the confusion.
Since the Sorento was updated, the PHEV model's power output was increased to 288hp in right-hand-drive markets such as ours, bringing with it an increase in the towing limit from the older model's 1,010kg to 1,700kg. That applies to Irish cars as well as those in the UK. The confusion was caused by the information on Kia Ireland's website not being up to date. It has assured me that this will be changed.
So, in essence, so long as you choose a post-facelift Sorento PHEV, it will have the 1,700kg ability.
For reference, this is what the pre-facelift model looks like, and this is the new one (the tech specs for the latter are for the lower-powered European model we drove at the international event, just to add to the confusion).
Answered by Shane O' Donoghue