The Kia Telluride is an adventure-ready three-row crossover with the classic SUV style that appeals to people who enjoy off-roading. Whether it’s a boat, small camper, or loading up the boot, the 2021 Kia Telluride is more than capable of delivering powerful towing and hauling capabilities. But before putting your truck under that kind of pressure, you’ll have to know how much your Kia Telluride can handle. In this article, we’ll take a look at the towing and hauling capabilities and specs.
How Much Can the 2021 Kia Telluride Tow?
With the complete Trailer Tow Package, the 2021 Kia Telluride can tow up to 5,000 pounds (2,200kgs), similar across all four trim levels (LX, S, EX, and SX): Without the Trailer Tow Package, its tow capacity drops drown to about 1,653 pounds. For more perspective, an average ski boat weighs about 3,000-3,500 pounds, and a 21-foot camper weighs about 4,000-4,300 pounds, so the 2021 Kia Telluride can easily tow a large variety of heavy items. Keep in mind that you have to account for the total weight of your load. Additionally, experts advise that you should tow up to only 80% of the vehicle’s maximum towing capacity as this may strain its engine and affect performance and safety.
Its exceptional 3.8-liter Lambda DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine is responsible for powering the Telluride’s sizeable towing capacity. This engine produces 291 horsepower at 6,000rpm, making it capable of pulling the weight up and down the hills. It can also put out 262 pound-feet of torque at 5,200rpm.
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The Kia Telluride has a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive with the AWD(All Wheel Drive) option available. The vehicle’s maximum towing and off-road capabilities come from the four-wheel independent suspension and self-leveling rear suspension, which offer superior performance.
Compared to its 2020 predecessor, the 2021 Kia Telluride has a tow package with a seven-pin trailer harness. It is more robust with a trailer brake connection and direct power going to the trailer, giving you a braking force adjustable to your trailer’s electric brakes.
The Kia Telluride boasts an 8-inch ground clearance giving it traction control and stability for off-road adventures.
Lastly, its additional surround-view parking camera system helps the driver see the trailer hitch for fast solo hitch-ups and makes it easier to connect, tow and park.
What is the Payload Capacity of the 2021 Kia Telluride?
The Kia Telluride is an eight-passenger SUV with 1254 – 1565 lbs of payload capacity for maximum utility. Fortunately, the cargo space of this vehicle is highly customizable. With a curb weight of 4,112-4,354 pounds, it has a dual-level cargo volume of 21-cubic feet, which entails 21 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third row, 46 cubic feet with folded seats, and 87 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded. Charged with its powerful V-6 engine, it can handle all your day-to-day hauling needs.
Below we have summarized the different 2021 Kia Telluride models with their respective towing and payload capacity.
| Year model | Trim | Towing Capacity in Pounds (lb) | Payload capacity in Pounds(lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 and 2020 | LX 4dr SUV | 5000 | 1565 |
| 2021 and 2020 | LX 4dr SUV AWD | 5000 | 1563 |
| 2021 and 2020 | S 4dr SUV | 5000 | 1261 |
| 2021 and 2020 | S 4dr SUV AWD | 5000 | 1254 |
| 2021 and 2020 | EX 4dr SUV | 5000 | 1565 |
| 2021 and 2020 | EX 4dr SUV AWD | 5000 | 1563 |
| 2021 and 2020 | SX 4dr SUV | 5000 | 1261 |
| 2021 and 2020 | SX 4dr SUV AWD | 5000 | 1254 |
Conclusion
With the help of its 3.8-liter V6 engine, the Telluride has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds (2.27 tons) and a payload capacity between 1,254 and 1,565 pounds. Its large towing capacity is one of the many reasons it is very appealing for day-to-day drives and weekend adventures with your camper.
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