Recommended Trailer Hitch And Wiring For A 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV

Updated 03/09/2026 | Published 11/19/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"

(343)

$212.52

T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory Tow Package - 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector

(805)

$59.26

Mounting Bracket for 7-Way

(530)

$10.94

Mounting Bracket 4-Pole Flat

(6189)

$10.37

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector

(131)

$92.38

Tekonsha OEM Replacement Vehicle Wiring Harness w Brake Controller Adapter - 7 Way Trailer Connector

(18)

$192.94

Question:

Hi team, I have a 2025 Kia sorento PHEV. Looking for a hitch and wiring for trailer lights. I read the car come pre wired for trailer lights so not sure what I need. Thank you for your help.

asked by: Jerry

Expert Reply:

Hi Jerry,

For your 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV you would need the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C37RV for the trailer hitch. The right light kit for your Sorento is going to depend on a few factors. For models with the tow package, like you stated you have, you can install a 7-way connector like the Tekonsha # TK24FR.

Regardless of the tow package you can install a 4-pole connector like the Tekonsha # 118269 (incandescent tail lights) or Curt # C99DR (LED tail lights). The 7-way is really only needed if you plan on towing a trailer with brakes and would also require a brake controller to complete the setup.

If you want to mount the trailer connector to the trailer hitch you can use no-drill mount # 18140 and then the appropriate bracket # 18144 (4-pole) or # 18138 (7-way).

expert reply by: Kevin C

C63RV - tail light connectors
(click to enlarge)

Factory tow package connector
(click to enlarge)

Jerry

11/26/2024

I understand which hitch I need and I plan to buy the E trailer version of the one that was recommended. However, it is still unclear to me, which wiring set I need. I even called in and spoke with somebody on the telephone. Who basically told me I should call the company who manufactures it to confirm, well, thanks a lot… I have a 2025 Kia Sorrento plug-in hybrid. The window sticker says it comes pre wired with the trailer wiring package, which I think means there are some pigtails hidden under the car somewhere that I just have to plug into. Below the two harnesses that have been recommended. I’d rather just buy the cheaper one if it works what do you think? 118269 TK24FR

Kevin C.

11/26/2024

@Jerry We don't have an etrailer custom fit trailer hitch for your 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV just yet so the Curt # C37RV or the Towsmart # TS44ZR would be the only options at this time. As for the wiring, if you're not going to tow a trailer with brakes then don't need the Tekonsha 7-Way # TK24FR. If you're only towing smaller trailers or have a cargo carrier or bike rack with lights that requires a 4-pole connector to plug into you'll just need one of the 4-pole options listed below based on your Sorento's tail lights: Incandescent tail lights # 118269 LED tail lights # C99DR

Jerry

11/29/2024

@KevinC Looked at the window sticker. It says LED taillights. Looked at C99DR and the latest review is from a guy with a 2025 kia and it says it does not work. What's the deal? Also if the car come pre wired for the trailer lights, why do I need to run a wire to the battery, that seems stupid.

Kevin C.

12/2/2024

@Jerry The Curt # C99DR was confirmed to work by one of the installers in our shop. There's a converter built into the harness to adapt the lights signals to show properly on the trailer. This converter requires 12v power directly from the battery so that it's not overloading the light circuits and blowing the fuses when in use.

Kevin C.

12/19/2024

@Jerry Everything we've been told so far is still confirming the options that were previously available. If you have the tow package and have incandescent tail lights you'll want the Tekonsha # 118269. If you don't have the tow package but and have incandescent tail lights you'll need the Curt # C63RV. The Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # C59236 is a universal fit harness that would work regardless of the tail lights or tow package, but it does require splicing into your tail light wiring. Bruce recently made an installation video for this harness on a 2025 Sorento, which I've attached below to help walk you through the installation process. If you go with the Curt # C63RV I would just doublecheck that the connectors (pictured above) match your tail light's connector. If you go with the Tekonsha # 118269 you'll want to remove the plastic cover at the rear of the vehicle on the driver's side (pictured above) to see if you have the factory tow package harness to connect to. If you go with the Curt # C59236 you won't need to check anything but you'll need to pick up some heat shrink butt connectors # DW05744-10 to help protect your connections from corrosion.

Helpful Links

tv-install-curt-trailer-wiring-2025-kia-sorento-c59236.aspx

tv-install-tekonsha-trailer-wiring-2020-kia-sorento-118269.aspx

See All (10) Replies to Jerry ∨

Marc

10/18/2025

I have a Sorento 2025 PHEV and I don't see the factory connector.

Kate F.

10/20/2025

@Marc On the 2025 Sorento PHEV without the factory tow package, the connectors you plug the trailer wiring into are located: Behind both rear taillight assemblies, inside the rear quarter-panel area. To access them: - Open the rear hatch. - Remove the taillight access panels on each side of the cargo area (just behind the taillights). - You’ll see the factory taillight wiring harness connectors, one on each side. - The CURT T-connector plugs inline between those factory plugs and the taillight. So the harness “T’s” into the vehicle wiring right at the taillights, driver-side and passenger-side rear corners, inside the trim behind the tail lamp housings. Is that where you were looking? If they aren't there, can you please respond directly to the email you receive with pictures?

10/31/2025

I've been riding this merry-go-round for a few months now with no resolution. I have a 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid (non-plug-in) The latest I got out of my dealer is the the factory installed trailer pre-wiring is accessible on the INSIDE of the vehicle, behind the rear passenger side seat, and the entire wrap-around plastic panel inside the back of the vehicle needs to be removed to access it. The wiring connector to go from this point to the hitch is $295 from Kia, and the dealer would charge $250 for installation. I'm still towing without lights. ?? Hoping etrailer can find a reasonably priced solution!

Robin H.

11/2/2025

@Tj do you have LED taillights or incandescent? The # C63RV you originally ordered fits models without LED lights. The # 118269 will connect to the factory wiring port on your Sorento but again, it is designed for models without LED lights. None of the manufacturers have a solution for the 2025 with LED lights since they found the connectors didn't carry over from previous models. If you want to avoid splicing you can use the ZCI # 119250KIT which clamps onto your wiring and is a universal fit. If you don't mind splicing you can use the Curt # C59236 which is also universal. Either way I would get a 4-way on your vehicle so you can safely/legally tow your trailer.

Rick C.

3/9/2026

I have a 2025 KIA Sorento S with no trailer tow package and I want to put a trailer hitch on my car. Which trailer wire harness would I need? I read that if I have LED lights, I'll need a special harness. Is that true, and how do I tell if I have LED lights?

Andrew N.

3/9/2026

@RickC Hey Rick. If you don't care about splicing wires, you can use Curt Powered Tail Light Converter with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector # C59236. If you don't want to splice, you can use this universal clamp around the wire method - ZCI Circuit Protected Vehicle Wiring Harness w/ 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector and Installation Kit # 119250KIT. Both kits work with incandescent OR led lights, so you'll be good to go. To answer your question though, if you see crips dotted bright spots, that would be LED. If it looks like one warm bulb and it puts off any heat, it's likely incandescent. The other way to tell is pulling the bulb and see if there's a filament like an older style incandescent bulb, or you can stop by a Kia dealer or auto parts store. For the hitch part, I'd go with our trusty etrailer brand - # e24ZV. It's affordable and has a strong matte black paint, and a common 2" opening for just about any accessory.

Rick

3/9/2026

@AndrewN. You're amazing! Thanks very much!