Owner guide · Michigan City Kia · Michigan City, IN
Kia Seltos Towing Capacity: What Kia Says
People shopping for a small SUV often ask how much a Kia Seltos can tow. Kia's own answer is that the Seltos is not built to pull a trailer. This guide quotes the 2027 Seltos owner's manual (code SP3K on ownersmanual.kia.com) and the 2026 Seltos manual (code SP2), both read October 28, 2026, and covers what you can carry instead: roof rack limits, the weight ratings on the door sill label, and how to have a Seltos towed if it breaks down. The manual for your own vehicle is the final word.
Not recommendedtrailer towing, 2027 and 2026 manuals
No hitchKia advises against hitches and hitch carriers (2027)
220 lbs.roof rack cargo limit while driving
4,123-4,674 lbs.2027 GVWR range by version
Can a Kia Seltos tow a trailer?
No towing rating is given. The 2027 Seltos owner's manual says: "This vehicle does not support a trailer package," and its load limit section lists the towing capacity as: "We do not recommend using this vehicle for trailer towing." Kia also does not recommend a towing hitch or hitch-mounted carrier on the 2027 Seltos. The 2026 Seltos manual likewise says Kia does not recommend using the vehicle for trailer towing.
Seltos trailer towing, by model year
| Manual | What Kia says about trailer towing |
|---|---|
| 2027 Seltos (SP3K) | "This vehicle does not support a trailer package." Load limit section, Towing capacity: "We do not recommend using this vehicle for trailer towing." |
| 2026 Seltos (SP2) | Trailer towing section: "We do not recommend using this vehicle for trailer towing." |
From the Trailer towing precautions and Vehicle load limit topics of the 2027 Seltos web manual and the Trailer towing topic of the 2026 Seltos web manual on ownersmanual.kia.com, read October 28, 2026. The model list on ownersmanual.kia.com showed Seltos as SP3K 2027 that day.
Neither manual gives a trailer weight or tongue weight figure for the Seltos. If pulling a small trailer, a boat or a camper is part of your plans, check the trailer rating in the owner's manual of any vehicle you are considering before you buy.
Hitches and hitch-mounted carriers on the 2027 Seltos
The 2027 manual goes further than the trailer statement. It says Kia does not recommend installing any equipment, including a towing hitch or a hitch-mounted carrier, whether for trailer towing or for transporting wheelchairs, scooters or bicycles.
It also says that if the trailer function is used arbitrarily, Kia will not be responsible for any issues related to the vehicle's warranty or performance that result from improper use or unauthorized installation. If you need to carry bikes or gear, the roof rack limits below are the figures Kia publishes for the 2027 Seltos.
2027 Seltos roof rack limits
| Situation | Limit in the 2027 Seltos manual |
|---|---|
| Parked | Up to 880 lbs. (400 kg), evenly distributed side to side and front to back |
| Driving | Never more than 220 lbs. (100 kg) of cargo and accessories on the roof racks |
| Always | Occupants plus cargo must never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) |
From the Roof rack topic (if equipped) of the 2027 Seltos web manual, read October 28, 2026.
Kia says loads on the roof rack raise the center of gravity and may change how the vehicle handles, so avoid sudden starts and braking, sharp turns, abrupt maneuvers and high speeds, and drive slowly and turn corners carefully. Never place a load directly on the sunroof or the roof panels, keep cargo within the overall roof length and width, and do not let anything block the view out the windshield, the front view camera or the high-mounted stop lamp. Crossbars are available from an authorized Kia dealer.
2027 Seltos gross vehicle weight
The Gross vehicle weight table in the 2027 Seltos manual lists these figures:
| Engine and drivetrain | Wheel size | Gross vehicle weight |
|---|---|---|
| Smartstream G1.6 T-GDI, 8AT, 4WD | 19 inch | 4,674 lbs. (2,120 kg) |
| Smartstream G2.0, IVT, 2WD | 16 inch | 4,123 lbs. (1,870 kg) |
| Smartstream G2.0, IVT, 2WD | 18 inch | 4,332 lbs. (1,965 kg) |
| Smartstream G2.0, IVT, 4WD | 16 inch | 4,542 lbs. (2,060 kg) |
| Smartstream G2.0, IVT, 4WD | 18 inch | 4,542 lbs. (2,060 kg) |
From the Gross vehicle weight topic of the 2027 Seltos web manual, read October 28, 2026. The certification label on the driver side (or front passenger side) door sill shows the GVWR for your vehicle.
Kia defines GVWR as the maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle, including all options, equipment, passengers and cargo, and the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) as the most a single axle can carry. The manual warns that exceeding these ratings can cause an accident or damage the vehicle, and suggests weighing items and people before loading. The tire and loading information label on the driver side door sill lists the seating capacity and the vehicle capacity weight, which is the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo.
If your Seltos needs to be towed
The towing chapter of the 2027 manual covers the other kind of towing: moving a Seltos that cannot be driven. Kia recommends having it done by an authorized Kia dealer or a commercial tow-truck service, and recommends wheel dollies or a flatbed.
- An AWD Seltos should never be towed with the wheels on the ground; always use wheel dollies or a flatbed, or the transmission and AWD system could be seriously damaged.
- A 2-wheel drive Seltos can be towed with the driven wheels lifted and the opposite tires on the ground, with the parking brake released before the vehicle is turned off. Do not tow it backwards with the driven wheels on the ground, and do not use sling-type equipment.
- With side and curtain air bags, set the vehicle to the ACC position while it is towed.
- If the Electronic Parking Brake does not release normally, Kia says to take the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer on a flatbed tow truck.
- The removable towing hook is for short emergency moves only, on hard-surfaced roads at low speed, with a driver in the vehicle to steer and brake. Kia says not to use the hooks to pull a vehicle out of mud or sand.
Our service team can check a Seltos after a tow; you can schedule service online.
Michigan City Kia service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. |
| Saturday | 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sunday | Closed |
From Michigan City Kia's website, October 28, 2026. The website lists Monday to Saturday service hours and none for Sunday. Holiday hours can differ.
Kia Seltos towing questions
What is the Kia Seltos towing capacity?
Kia does not give the Seltos a trailer towing rating. The Vehicle load limit section of the 2027 Seltos owner's manual says, under Towing capacity: "We do not recommend using this vehicle for trailer towing." The 2026 Seltos manual says the same.
Can I put a hitch on a 2027 Seltos?
Kia advises against it. The 2027 manual says the vehicle does not support a trailer package, and that Kia does not recommend installing any equipment, including a towing hitch or a hitch-mounted carrier, for trailer towing or for carrying wheelchairs, scooters or bicycles.
Does using a hitch affect the Seltos warranty?
The 2027 manual says that if the trailer function is used arbitrarily, Kia will not be responsible for any issues related to the vehicle's warranty or performance that result from improper use or unauthorized installation.
How much can I put on the Seltos roof rack?
If your Seltos has a roof rack, the 2027 manual says it can support up to 880 lbs. (400 kg), evenly distributed, but only while the vehicle is parked. Never drive with more than 220 lbs. (100 kg) of cargo and accessories on the roof racks.
What is the 2027 Seltos gross vehicle weight rating?
The manual's Gross vehicle weight table runs from 4,123 lbs. (1,870 kg) to 4,674 lbs. (2,120 kg), depending on engine, transmission, drive and wheel size. The exact rating for your vehicle is on the certification label on the door sill.
How should a Seltos be towed if it breaks down?
Kia recommends an authorized Kia dealer or a commercial tow-truck service, using wheel dollies or a flatbed. The manual says an AWD Seltos should never be towed with the wheels on the ground.
Questions about loading your Seltos?
Visit Michigan City Kia at 710 E. US Hwy 20 in Michigan City, IN. Our service team can check tires and brakes before a loaded road trip.
Sources
The towing statements, hitch guidance, roof rack limits, gross vehicle weights and breakdown towing steps are from the 2027 Seltos (SP3K) and 2026 Seltos (SP2) web manuals on ownersmanual.kia.com, read October 28, 2026. Other model years can differ, so the manual for your vehicle is the final word. Address and hours are from Michigan City Kia's own website. Image: Kia America.
- 2027 Seltos Owner's Manual (SP3K): Trailer towing precautions, Kia America, read October 28, 2026
- 2027 Seltos Owner's Manual (SP3K): Vehicle load limit, Kia America, read October 28, 2026
- 2027 Seltos Owner's Manual (SP3K): Gross vehicle weight; Vehicle weight (t00408); Roof rack (t00338), Kia America, read October 28, 2026
- 2027 Seltos Owner's Manual (SP3K): Towing service; When flatbed is unavailable (t00702); Removable towing hook (t00703), Kia America, read October 28, 2026
- 2026 Seltos Owner's Manual (SP2): Trailer towing, Kia America, read October 28, 2026
- Kia digital owner's manual model list (Seltos = SP3K 2027), Kia America, read October 28, 2026
- 2027 Seltos (image), Kia America, October 28, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Kia, October 28, 2026
- Kia service center at Michigan City Kia, Michigan City Kia, October 28, 2026
