In the EU, the Ioniq 5 is rated for towing 1600kg, while in Canada/USA, it’s rated for 2000 lbs (about 1000kg).
I have friends who own the Kona and regularly tow more than its rated capacity without issues. They have given positive feedback on towing with their Kona. I’m interested in buying an Ioniq 5, but I occasionally need to tow nearly 1600kg (on flat roads and with a trailer equipped with brakes), so my concern is whether the frame at the hitch mount is strong enough.
The EV6 and the ID.4 are rated for towing around 2700-3500 lbs, so why is the Ioniq 5 rated lower? I’d appreciate hearing your experiences and insights on this. Thanks a lot!
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It should be acceptable by European standards. Keep the distance between you and the car in front of you increased, drive more slowly when towing, and don’t go above the hitch’s rating.
I will never weigh more than 2000 lbs because I only have the OEM hitch.
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It lacks a frame and features a unibody construction.
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The towing capacity in North America for the Ioniq 5 is limited due to tongue weight considerations. For stability at highway speeds exceeding 100 km/h (60 mph), the tongue weight should ideally be at least 10% of the trailer weight. This translates to 300 pounds for a 3000-pound trailer, which surpasses the Ioniq 5’s maximum tongue weight capacity (around 200 or 220 lbs, if I recall correctly). This safety standard applies across Canada and the USA.
In Europe, where speed limits while towing are stricter (e.g., 80 km/h), the requirement for high tongue weight is less critical for stability. Consequently, tow limits are often influenced more by gradients and other factors.
Structurally, the Ioniq 5 can handle longitudinal towing of at least 1600 kg. However, it cannot support 160 kg on its tongue (likely due to exceeding the rear axle weight limit), which fails to meet North American towing stability requirements.
In summary, while it’s possible to tow up to 1600 kg with the Ioniq 5 under certain conditions, doing so may void the warranty if issues arise, and insurance coverage could be contested in case of incidents. This includes maintaining a 200-pound tongue weight and adhering to a maximum speed of 80 km/h.