The table below lists every trim of the 2011 Kia Sorento with the engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, horsepower, torque, GVWR, curb weight, and payload that go with that trim's headline tow rating. Manufacturers often publish more than one tow figure per truck — a conventional bumper-hitch rating, a weight-distributing rating, and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rating — so the highest number here is the maximum across all hitch classes the source carries for the trim.

Per-trim breakdown

Configuration Engine HP Torque Axle Tow (lb) GVWR Curb Payload
Base Front-wheel Drive Sport Utility 175 169 3.74 1,650 3,763 1,771
LX Front-wheel Drive Sport Utility 175 169 3.91 1,650 3,796 1,738
EX Front-wheel Drive Sport Utility 175 169 3.91 1,650 3,796 1,738
EX V6 Front-wheel Drive Sport Utility 276 248 3.2 3,500 3,896 1,638
LX V6 Front-wheel Drive Sport Utility 276 248 3.2 3,500 3,896 1,638
SX V6 Front-wheel Drive Sport Utility 276 248 3.2 3,500 3,896 1,638
LX All-wheel Drive Sport Utility 175 169 3.91 1,650 3,929 1,605
EX All-wheel Drive Sport Utility 175 169 3.91 1,650 3,929 1,605
EX V6 All-wheel Drive Sport Utility 276 248 3.2 3,500 3,935 1,599
LX V6 All-wheel Drive Sport Utility 276 248 3.2 3,500 3,935 1,599
SX V6 All-wheel Drive Sport Utility 276 248 3.2 3,500 3,935 1,599

How to interpret the headline tow figure

Tow ratings at this level are normally achievable with a conventional Class II or Class III receiver hitch. Always verify your vehicle has the manufacturer's tow package installed if you intend to tow at the upper end of the rating, and inspect the door-jamb sticker for the actual maximum permitted on your specific configuration.

How this year compares to 2009

The 2009 Kia Sorento carried a maximum tow rating of 5,000 lb. The 2011 model is rated 1,500 lb lower — sometimes a real spec change, sometimes a re-test under a stricter standard like SAE J2807. See the 2009 Kia Sorento page for the full per-trim breakdown of the prior year.

Other 2011 Kia models

The rest of Kia's 2011 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.

All figures sourced from manufacturer documentation. See our methodology for how the dataset is compiled. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing.