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Toyota Hybrid towing: your questions answered

By Joe Clifford

As part of Toyota’s desire to engineer greater driving appeal into its cars, most current generation Toyota Hybrid models have the capacity to tow trailers and caravans. This might lead owners to wonder how about hybrid towing and how much their car is able to tow.

The regulations surrounding towing can be quite complicated to understand. So while this post is not designed to explain all the rules on this subject, we hope it clears some confusion by supplying straightforward answers to important, frequently asked questions.

Within this post we have also supplied relevant links to official government pages, related associations, and Toyota resources.

Prius towing 12

1) Hybrid towing – Which Toyota Hybrid models can tow?

The latest generation Yaris, Corolla, Toyota C-HR, RAV4 and Prius.

Moving upwards in towing ability, the latest Yaris has a towing capacity of 450kg. The Prius and Toyota C-HR share a recommended towing capacity of 725kg for both a braked or unbraked trailer. You can read more about this in our special feature on towing with a Prius. Meanwhile, all Corolla models – Hatchback, Touring Sports and Saloon – have an unbraked capacity of 450kg and a braked towing capacity of 750kg.

All RAV4 models have a legal towing capacity of 750kg for unbraked trailers. But with regard to braked trailers (where the trailer has its own braking system), the front-wheel drive RAV4 has a recommended towing capacity of 800kg and the all-wheel drive RAV4 has a 1,650kg capacity. Straddling the two is the new RAV4 Plug-in, which has a braked trailer maximum set at a 1,500kg.

For more information on how legal towing capacities are calculated, please see question four.

2) Hybrid towing – Can I tow with a Toyota Camry?

The current generation Camry has not been homologated to tow in the United Kingdom.

Some hybrid Camry models in other markets have been specially configured to tow light loads but these models are not available in the UK. Their cooling systems are different and the components cannot be retro-fitted to UK-spec cars.

Prius towing 02

3) Hybrid towing – What am I allowed to tow?

It depends on when you passed your driving test, the weight of your car and what you are towing.

You can get the latest rules and restrictions on the government services and information website.

4) What is my car legally allowed to tow?

The figure authorities use to enforce the maximum towing capacity of a vehicle can be found on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate. This goes for all cars, not just those capable of hybrid towing.

Not all vehicles have been homologated to tow, but those that have will display either three or four sets of figures on the VIN plate. Reading from top to bottom, these will be the gross vehicle weight (the maximum mass of the vehicle including occupants, fuel and load), the gross vehicle train weight (the combined maximum mass of the vehicle and trailer) and the maximum loads across the front and rear axles respectively.

In order to create a recommended maximum towing capacity, vehicle manufacturers usually deduct the gross vehicle weight from the gross vehicle train weight.

For more advice on your specific Toyota model and hybrid towing, please follow this link to the My Toyota site where you download a copy of the owner’s manual for your car.

See more: Towing the line with the new Toyota Prius
Further information: National Trailer & Towing Association
Further information: AA guidance on towing

395 comments

  1. Hi,
    We are looking at our options and would like to get a larger Hybrid car and would like to know if Toyota cover this area for towing a caravan around 2000KG which is total payload.

    Reply

  2. I am thinking of buying a used 2013 Toyota Auris 1.8 VVTi Hybrid but cannot seem to find out if I can fit a towbar and use it to tow my trailer. Is this the case and if so, what is the maximum weight I can tow with this car, braked and unbraked?

    Reply

    1. Hi Michael, thanks for getting in touch.

      We will need a registration numer to confirm this.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  3. Hi,
    Just taken delivery of a 2021 Corolla Hybrid Sports GR 1.8 reg: (WG21***) and was wondering if Toyota do a Towbar for it so that I can mount some bikes or ebikes.

    Thanks
    Mark

    Reply

    1. Hi Mark, thanks for your comment.

      Unfortunately, a towing pack is not available for the GR Sport grade of this model.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  4. I have a Rav 4 AWD so I can tow a small caravan. Should I be selecting Trail to ensure the rear electric motor is being used when towing or will the Rav Awd automatically kick in? I’m concerned I needed the AWD to tow the extra weight but then not using the AWD function.

    Reply

    1. Hi Martin, thanks for your comment.

      There is no need to manually adjust the settings for towing. Trail mode is utilised if you are on a very unstable surface and in need of a little extra grip. Otherwise, carry on towing as normal and the car will do everything for you.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  5. I am considering a new RAV4 GR plug in hybrid but it does not seem to have the option for towbar. Is this correct?

    Reply

    1. Hi Mark, thanks for getting in touch.

      Yes, that is correct. The towing pack is not available for the GR Sport grade of the RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

      Reply

  6. Hi. I have a 2019 reg RAV4. Will a towbar supplied and fitted by a third party void the warranty on the vehicle?

    Reply

    1. Hey Cal,
      Thanks for your comment.
      This fitment would not directly void the warranty.
      However, if the fitment or operation of this towbar is deemed to have caused problem potentially we would not support a particular claim if related to the towbar operation or fitment.
      We hope this information is useful, please let us know if there is anything else we can assist you with.
      Thank you.

      Reply

  7. I have a 2018 Toyota Prius with a towing limit of 725kgs. Can I tow a 580kg (dry weight) Go Pod caravan with its own brakes legally and not invalidate my insurance?

    Reply

    1. Good afternoon Colin, thanks for getting in touch.

      Please may we take your registration so we can check the towing capacities for you.

      Thank you.

      Reply

      2. Thanks for confirming your registration, Colin.

        The towing capacity for your Toyota Prius is 725kg with or without breaks.

        Thank you.

      3. Hi Again, my Prius registration is PY18*** and my question was can I tow a 580kg GoPod caravan with my Prius leagally and without validating my insurance.

        Thanks

        Col

      4. Hi Colin, thanks for your comment.

        Your Prius will be fine to tow your caravan, the limit for this vehicle is 725KG.

        Thanks,

        Toyota UK

    1. Hi David,
      Thanks for your question.
      Unfortunately, we do not store any information on imported vehicles so this isn’t something we would be able to advise you on.
      We would recommend contacting the DVLA for further assistance with this.
      Thank you.

      Reply

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