Is there a 1-1/4" Hitch for a 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid?

Question:

We have a 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid. There seems to be some conflicting information about the hitch required for this vehicle. Do you have any Class 1 hitches that will fit this car? Bill

asked by: William V

Expert Reply:

Allow me to clear up the confusion Bill. I just checked with Draw-Tite and their item # 36600 will not fit the Hybrid model of the 2023 Kia Niro. Just the standard model.

For your 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid there are no class I hitches with a 1-1/4" receiver. You'll need to go with the class III 2" Draw-Tite Trailer Hitch item # DT79YR.

Usually when people request a 1-1/4" receiver over an existing 2" option they have a bike rack already. With this hitch installed you can use the Trailer Hitch Reducer 2" to 1-1/4" item # e63YR to transport 1-1/4" accessories. Or feel free to send me a part number for whatever accessory you need a 1-1/4" hitch for and I'll see if the manufacturer makes a special shank that fits a 2" receiver.

expert reply by: Jerred H

Bill V.

6/19/2024

Thank you Jerred! I appreciate your detailed response. Also, thanks for your suggestion to go to the Class 3 hitch, but I would rather not go with such a big hitch on this vehicle. It's rated capacity is only 661 lbs. without trailer brakes and 1653 lbs. with trailer brakes but I'm not going to tow with it. And yes, it's for a bike. I understand that I can use a reducer, but seems like overkill to me. It would be nice to get the proper hitch and I wish Draw-Tite would make a more appropriate hitch for a smaller vehicle such as this. I tried Curt, but it looks like they don't make a hitch for Niro. Do you have any other manufacturers that you might suggest? Bill

Bill V.

6/19/2024

OK...I looked and Curt makes one too Item # C77NR. I watched the installation video and it would require lowering the exhaust and charcoal cannister in order to line up the hitch mount with the pre-installed threaded bungs in the frame. I'm assuming the Draw-tite would also require this same procedure as the Curt. Can you confirm this for me. Thanks. Bill

Bill V.

6/19/2024

Me again. So I compared the the Curt Item # C77NR to the Draw-Tite DT79YR and found a noticeble difference in the orientation of the plate mounting holes. I checked out the area underneath our Niro where this would be mounted and the threaded bung holes for the mounting are level to each other. In other words they are perfectly parallel in line with the frame. The Draw-Tite mounting holes are offset. If you look at some of the pictures that reviewers posted for the hitch Item # 36600 (which has off set mounting holes), you will see where the final installation shows the receiver angled down - not just a little bit but a lot. The holes on Item # 36600 are off set to just like the item Draw-Tite # DT79YR.. So the DT79YR will not work or it will tilt the receiver down and significant angle. Check out both pics of these hitches and the line up of the mounting plate holes and you will see what I mean. Then look at the mounting plates on the Curt C77NR and you will see that they are lined up perfectly parallel on a level plane. I hope I'm explaining this correctly in order for you to make sense of it. If not, maybe we can call you or you me in order to talk this over. Thanks. Bill