Nissan Kicks Towing Capacity (by Engine & Year)
TL;DR
The Nissan Kicks has no Nissan-published tow rating in any generation - it is not intended for towing. Only light-duty aftermarket hitches (bike racks, small utility trailers) exist, and their ratings come from the hitch maker, not Nissan.
Does the Nissan Kicks have a towing capacity?
No. Across every generation sold in North America, Nissan classifies the Kicks as a subcompact crossover that is not intended for towing. The owner's manual does not include a towing chart, Nissan does not offer a factory tow package or trailer-wiring harness for it, and the car has no published maximum trailer weight, tongue weight, or gross combined weight rating (GCWR). This is consistent with how Nissan treats its smallest crossovers versus larger ones like Rogue or Pathfinder, which do carry official tow ratings.
Towing capacity by generation and engine
Because Nissan has never issued a towing figure for the Kicks, there is no factory number to report for any configuration. The table below reflects what is actually documented (or not) rather than an estimate.
| Generation / years | Engine / configuration | Max towing (Nissan-rated) |
|---|---|---|
| First gen (2018-2023, North America) | 1.6L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD | Not rated - towing not recommended by Nissan |
| Second gen (2025-present, North America) | 2.0L 4-cyl, CVT, FWD or available AWD | Not rated - towing not recommended by Nissan |
| Brazil/LatAm Kicks (2016-present, incl. 2021 facelift) | 1.6L flex-fuel, CVT/manual, FWD | Not rated - towing not recommended by Nissan in the local manual |
What that means in practice
Without a factory GCWR, there is no official split between how much weight the Kicks can carry inside/on top of it (payload) versus behind it (trailer). The safe assumption is: use the Kicks for passengers and cargo only, and do not add a loaded trailer on top of that unless you have verified, documented ratings from both the vehicle and the hitch you install.
If you still plan to tow something light
Some aftermarket companies (for example Curt or Draw-Tite) sell bolt-on Class 1-style hitches for the Kicks intended strictly for very light duty use such as a bike rack or a small, empty utility trailer. Those hitches carry their own manufacturer weight and tongue-weight ratings, which are typically far lower than what a body-on-frame truck can handle. Always follow the 10% rule as a rough tongue-weight guide (tongue weight should be roughly 10% of actual trailer weight) only within whatever ceiling the aftermarket hitch itself specifies - never assume the vehicle can exceed that ceiling. Also check your state or country's rules on when a trailer needs its own brakes, since that threshold varies by region and is unrelated to what Nissan rates the car for.
Where to double-check
Confirm current details for your specific car by checking the owner's manual towing section (if any exists for your model year and market), the hitch manufacturer's fitment and weight-rating sheet for the exact Kicks trim and year, and your local motor-vehicle rules for trailer brakes and lighting.
Summary
| Nissan-rated max towing (any generation) | Not rated - towing not recommended |
|---|---|
| Factory tow package available | No, in any market or generation |
| Factory trailer wiring harness | Not offered |
| Aftermarket hitch availability | Yes, light-duty Class 1-style only (bike racks, small utility trailers) |
| Tongue weight guidance if using aftermarket hitch | Roughly 10% of trailer weight, capped by hitch maker's rating |
| GCWR (gross combined weight rating) | Not published by Nissan |
| Trailer brake requirement | Varies by state/country - check local law before towing |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Nissan Kicks: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the towing capacity of a Nissan Kicks?
Nissan does not publish a towing capacity for the Kicks in any generation (2018-2023 first gen or 2025-present redesigned model, North America). The Kicks has no factory hitch, no factory trailer wiring, and no towing chart in the owner's manual, so Nissan does not rate it for towing at all.
Can I install a hitch on a Nissan Kicks and tow a small trailer?
You can install an aftermarket hitch (some companies make Class 1-style hitches for the Kicks), but any towing capacity in that case comes from the aftermarket hitch maker's own rating, not from Nissan, and is meant only for very light-duty use like a bike rack or a small empty utility trailer. Always follow the hitch maker's exact weight limits and your local trailer-brake laws.
What tongue weight can a Nissan Kicks handle?
Because Nissan does not rate the Kicks for towing, there is no Nissan tongue-weight figure. If you use an aftermarket hitch rated for light-duty towing, keep tongue weight to roughly 10% of the actual trailer weight and always stay under whatever maximum the hitch manufacturer specifies for your Kicks trim and year.
Does the Nissan Kicks come with a factory tow package?
No. Unlike larger Nissan crossovers such as the Rogue or Pathfinder, the Kicks has never been offered with a factory tow package, heavy-duty cooling, or a factory trailer-wiring harness in any generation sold in North America or in the Brazil/LatAm market.