2026 Hyundai towing capacity: which model should you choose?

Sources: 2026 Canadian spec sheets for the Palisade, Tucson, Santa Fe, IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, verified on October 16, 2026. Hyundai Canada lists the Palisade, Tucson and Santa Fe in pounds and the IONIQ 5 in kilograms: the conversions are ours, rounded.

The “braked” capacity assumes a trailer fitted with its own braking system. It's the figure usually quoted, and it's the highest one. The “unbraked” capacity applies to a small trailer that has none: it sits around 1,650 lb (750 kg) for every model with a published unbraked towing rating. Two other limits matter just as much: the tongue weight must stay within both the vehicle's and the hitch's ratings, and must also count toward the vehicle's payload.

Two pitfalls come up often:

In Quebec, the SAAQ requires brakes on all load-bearing wheels of a trailer that weighs, load included, 1,300 kg or more, or more than half the weight of the towing vehicle. Meeting either one of the two criteria is enough. A boat and trailer weighing 3,000 lb (about 1,360 kg) must therefore have their own brakes, and it's the “braked” column of the chart that applies. The opposite situation can catch you out, too: an unbraked utility trailer loaded to 780 kg escapes the SAAQ requirement behind a Tucson, but it exceeds the 748 kg Hyundai allows without brakes. As far as Hyundai is concerned, it needs brakes anyway.

On the 2026 Tucson and Palisade, the powertrain sets the capacity. The trim decides the towing equipment.

The 2026 Santa Fe is sold only as a hybrid in Canada: all four of its trims tow 2,000 lb. It suits a loaded trailer of 2,000 lb or less, such as a utility or ATV trailer.

On the equipment side, trailer sway control is standard on every 2026 Palisade and Tucson, and trailer pre-wiring on every Tucson. The integrated hitch with cover is standard on every Palisade except the Preferred Trend, which needs it installed before your first trip. In every case, you still need to choose the ball mount, ball and connector that suit your trailer, then a brake controller if it has electric brakes. Our parts and accessories department can tell you which parts fit your trim. The full rundown of Tucson trims is in our comparison Which 2026 Tucson trim should you choose.

Yes: 5,000 lb for the all-wheel-drive IONIQ 9, 3,500 lb for the Essential RWD, 1,224 kg (about 2,700 lb) for the IONIQ 5. The Kona Electric has no towing capacity in its Canadian spec sheet.

To plan your charging stops, weight isn't the whole story: a tall travel trailer creates more air resistance than a low trailer of the same mass, and range drops accordingly. Up to 1,224 kg with a braked trailer, the IONIQ 5 is enough; beyond that, the rear-wheel-drive IONIQ 9 Essential reaches 3,500 lb. To go past 3,500 lb, our pick is the IONIQ 9 Preferred AWD: it goes up to 5,000 lb and comes with trailer pre-wiring as standard, like the Preferred AWD with Luxury package and the Preferred AWD+ with Ultimate Calligraphy package, but not the Preferred AWD+. Behind the wheel, it drives like a big, quiet, supple highway cruiser. With a travel trailer hitched up, choose charging stations where you can park and plug in without unhitching. For long, repeated legs with a travel trailer, our pick is the Palisade Preferred Trend V6: 5,000 lb, no charging stops to plan, but a hitch to add.

Hyundai de Magog is at 2800 rue Sherbrooke in Magog. Fill out the form below: an advisor will call you back to confirm the time of your test drive.