Kia Ceed Towing Capacity: Complete Guide to Braked and Unbraked Limits for Every Engine and Model Year

The Kia Ceed has become a trusted choice for drivers who need a dependable, efficient hatchback or sportswagon capable of towing confidently. We provide a comprehensive breakdown of Kia Ceed towing capacities across all engines and generations, enabling you to choose the exact variant that suits your towing requirements.

This guide covers every Ceed engine configuration from 2007 to 2023, including petrol, diesel, turbocharged, GT, GT-Line, ISG, automatic, manual, and PHEV models.
All towing limits are categorised into braked vs unbraked capacities, with detailed comparison tables for fast reference.

Overview of Kia Ceed Towing Ratings

Most Kia Ceed diesel models—especially CRDi variants—offer the highest towing capability, consistently supporting up to 1500kg braked.
Petrol turbo engines generally tow between 1000kg and 1410kg, while early 1.4 CVVT and 1.6 CVVT engines offer lighter capabilities around 1200kg–1400kg.

Kia Ceed Models with 1500kg Braked Towing Capacity

These are the strongest towing performers across the entire Ceed range.

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Diesel Sportswagon (SW) Models – 1500kg

• SW 2.0 CVVT (2007–2011)
• SW 2.0 CRDi VGT (2007–2011)
• SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic (2015–2023, varies by kilowatt output)
• SW 1.6 CRDi 94 kW / 128 PS (2012–2015)
• SW 1.6 CRDi 85 kW / 116 PS (2018–2020)
• SW 1.6 CRDi 81 kW / 110 PS (2015–2018)

Diesel Hatchback Models – 1500kg

• 2.0 CVVT (2007–2011)
• 2.0 CRDi VGT (2007–2011)
• 1.6 CRDi Automatic (2015–2023)
• 1.6 CRDi 94 kW / 128 PS (2012–2015)
• 1.6 CRDi 85 kW / 116 PS (2018–2020)
• 1.6 CRDi 81 kW / 110 PS (2015–2018)

Modern Diesel Hatchback & SW ISG Models – 1500kg

Many UK-market trims also support 1500kg braked towing:

• 1.6 CRDi ISG 1, 2, 3, 4 (manual & DCT)
• 1.6 CRDi ISG GT-Line
• Sportswagon 1.6 CRDi ISG (1–4, GT Line)

Trim-Specific UK Data Examples (All 1500kg)

• Ceed Diesel Hatchback 1.4 CRDi 1
• Ceed 1.6 CRDi ISG GT-Line DCT
• Ceed Diesel Sportswagon 1.6 CRDi ISG 4 Tech

Unbraked Limits in This Group

Most variants above list 650kg unbraked.

Kia Ceed Models with 1410kg Braked Towing Capacity

This powerful band includes modern T-GDi petrol engines and the high-performance Ceed GT 1.6T-GDi.

Sportswagon Petrol Turbo Models – 1410kg

• 1.5T-GDi Automatic (2021–2023)
• 1.5T-GDi Manual (2021–2023)
• 1.4T-GDi Automatic (2018–2021)
• 1.4T-GDi Manual (2018–2021)

Hatchback Petrol Turbo Models – 1410kg

• 1.6T-GDi GT (2019–Present)
• 1.5T-GDi Automatic (2021–2023)
• 1.5T-GDi Manual (2021–2023)
• 1.4T-GDi Automatic (2018–2021)
• 1.4T-GDi Manual (2018–2021)

Early Petrol Automatic SW

• SW 2.0 CVVT Automatic (2007–2011) – 1400kg
  (Listed separately below but often grouped due to similar performance.)

Unbraked Limits

• Typically 600–650kg depending on trim.

Kia Ceed Models with 1400kg Braked Towing Capacity

These engines sit slightly below the top performers but still provide excellent capability for medium-sized trailers, caravans, and cargo.

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Sportswagon Models – 1400kg

• SW 2.0 CVVT Automatic (2007–2011)
• SW 1.6 GDi (2012–2018)
• SW 1.6 CRDi VGT low-power 66 kW (2007–2009)
• SW 1.6 CRDi VGT high-power 85 kW (2007–2009)
• SW 1.6 CRDi low-power 66 kW (2009–2012)
• SW 1.6 CRDi high-power 85 kW (2009–2012)

Hatchback Models – 1400kg

• 1.6 GDi (2012–2018)
• 1.6 CRDi VGT low/high power (2007–2012)
• 1.6 CRDi EcoDynamics (89bhp)
• 1.6 CRDi 2 (manual)
• Ceed GT 1.6T GDi (2013 onwards)

Manual-Only GT Examples (All 1400kg)

• Ceed GT 2014–2016 (1.6L ULP 6-speed manual)

Unbraked Weights

• Usually 550–600kg.

Kia Ceed Models with 1300kg Braked Towing Capacity

These models balance power and economy while maintaining respectable towing capability.

Sportswagon Models – 1300kg

• SW 1.6 GDi Automatic (2012–2018)
• SW 1.6 CRDi hp Automatic (2009–2012)
• SW 1.6 CRDi Automatic 94 kW (2012–2015)

Hatchback Models – 1300kg

• 1.6 GDi Automatic (2012–2018)
• 1.6 CRDi Automatic (2012–2015)
• Ceed Hatchback 1.6 CRDi 2 Auto (2007–2012)
• Ceed Hatchback 1.6 CRDi 3 Auto (2007–2012)

Unbraked Limits

• Approximately 550–650kg depending on variant.

Kia Ceed Models with 1200kg Braked Towing Capacity

Mid-range petrol engines and early CVVT motors fall within this group.

Sportswagon Models – 1200kg

• SW 1.6 CVVT Automatic (90–93 kW) (2007–2012)
• SW 1.6 CVVT (2007–2012)
• SW 1.4 CVVT (90–109 PS) (2008–2012)
• SW 1.0T-GDi (2016–2023)

Hatchback Models – 1200kg

• 1.6 CVVT Automatic (2007–2012)
• 1.6 CVVT (2007–2012)
• 1.4 CVVT (2007–2012)
• 1.0T-GDi (2016–2023)

Unbraked Limits

• Typically 550kg.

Kia Ceed Models with 1000kg Braked Towing Capacity

These are the lowest-capacity models and are best suited for lightweight towing tasks.

Sportswagon – 1000kg

• SW 1.0T-GDi (74 kW/101 PS) (2016–2018)

Hatchback – 1000kg

• 1.0T-GDi (74 kW/101 PS) (2016–2018)

Unbraked Limits

• Approximately 500–550kg.

Detailed UK-Model Towing Ratings (Hatchback & Sportswagon)

Most Capable Kia Ceed Towing Engines

Top Diesel Tow Car Choices (1500kg)

• 1.6 CRDi (all power versions)
• 2.0 CRDi (first generation)

Top Petrol Tow Car Choices (1410kg)

• 1.5T-GDi (2021 onwards)
• 1.4T-GDi (2018–2021)
• 1.6T-GDi GT (2013 onwards)

Fast Comparison: Maximum Towing Limits by Engine

Conclusion

The Kia Ceed offers one of the widest towing-capacity spreads within the compact hatchback and estate market in Europe. Diesel models dominate the upper end at 1500kg, making them excellent choices for caravans, trailers, and heavy loads. Petrol turbo engines provide strong mid-range capability at 1410kg, while early naturally aspirated engines and low-output turbos suit lighter towing needs.

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This complete dataset ensures that every buyer, tower, or caravan enthusiast can select the exact Kia Ceed configuration that meets their towing demands with confidence.

If you want to know other articles similar to Kia Ceed Towing Capacity: Complete Guide to Braked and Unbraked Limits for Every Engine and Model Year you can visit the category Service and Parts.