The Kia Seltos is a small SUV with a maximum braked towing capacity is 2400 lbs, with the capacity dropping down to 1200 lbs if the load is unbraked. The S Turbo and the SX Turbo can pull up to 2750 lbs of unbraked load with the tow package, which drops to 1200 lbs unbraked. It can pull a small teardrop camper.
Kia Seltos – Engine Options
The Kia Seltos has two petrol engines available for its models:
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2.0 L Nu MPI I4: The Nu is a dual overhead camshaft (DOHC), 16-valve, straight four-cylinder engine with a multi-point fuel injection system. It is the engine Kia employed for its LX, S, and EX trims of Seltos. Generating 147 hp at 6200 rpm with 132 lb-ft of torque, this engine is able to tow a braked load of 2400 lbs.
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1.6 L Gamma T-GDI I4: The engine used for the Seltos’ high-performance S Turbo and SX Turbo trims, the Gamma is a turbocharged DOHC in-line four-cylinder engine with a gasoline direct fuel injection system. Producing a power output of 175 hp at 5500 rpm and a torque of 195 lb-ft, the Gamma can tow 2750 lbs of braked load, which is 300 lbs more than what the Nu can tow.
Towing with the Seltos
The Seltos isn’t adequately equipped for towing from the get-go. Towing with the Seltos requires purchasing and installing a towing hitch and harness. Purchasing and employing safety chains whilst towing would ensure the tongue between the hitch and trailer won’t scrape the ground in the event of a disconnection. The Seltos comes with a rear camera that would allow close monitoring of the trailering hitch when it is towing a trailer.
Towing immediately with the Seltos is highly reckless and inadvisable as the vehicle’s engine requires a break-in period during the first 1200 miles. Refusing to heed this warning might cause the vehicle to undergo serious engine or transmission damage. After the engine has successfully passed the break-in period, the recommendations by the manufacturers while towing are to:
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Keep the vehicle operating speed under 60 mph on straight roads and 40 mph on inclines
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Keep the air conditioning switched off while climbing inclines in order to prevent overheating of the engine
To sum up the article, the Seltos is a small SUV that is handy for light towing once equipped with a trailering hitch and harness. The lower end trims of the Seltos have a maximum brake towing capacity of 2400 lbs with the high-end S Turbo and SX Turbo able to handle 2750 lbs with brakes.
Additionally, the Seltos requires a break-in period that lasts 1200 miles of the vehicle’s run after which towing can be done smoothly.
