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.
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.
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
I own a 2014 Auris Hybrid (from new). MA64PCX I bought it fitted with a rear mounted bike rack, with an easy click bayonet type fitting into the rear hitch bar. It is great and easy to use, but is not capable of carrying e-bikes greater than 20kg in weight. Can you supply a similar bike rack but with a greater weight capacity for 2 e-bikes?
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your comment.
The only bike rack that we produce that is compatible with your vehicle is part PZ41B0050200.
However, this is not capable of carrying electric bicycles due to the 20kg limit per bike, as you have mentioned in your question.
There may be aftermarket parts that suit your needs, but unfortunately we cannot make a recommendation.
Thanks.
I’m thinking of getting a used Yaris and wondering about adapting it to carry my two ball mounted bike carrier. Is there an electrical socket for trailers as standard? Although maximum towing weight is 450kg as the carrier has no axle is there a maximum towing moment and, if there is, what is it?
Thanks
Hi Alex,
Thanks for getting in touch with us.
Would you be able to provide us with some more information about the specific Yaris you are considering?
We will then be able to look into this further for you.
Thanks.
Why can’t I spec a towbar in the online configurator for the Corolla hatch? Is it not possible to have a factory fitted to the car at the factory?
Hi Philip,
The towbar is not a factory fit accessory. If you’d like a towbar fitted, we’d recommend requesting this directly from your Toyota centre.
Thanks.
Could you tell me towing capacity (braked and unbraked) of 2021 Toyota Corolla Touring Sports *Hybrid* please?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Zsolt,
Thanks for your comment.
The Corolla Touring Sports has a towing capacity of 750kg braked and 450kg unbraked. This is the same for both the 1.8 and 2.0l hybrid versions, and for all grades of the Touring Sports.
However, this is based off UK specification, so we would recommend checking with the Toyota distributor in your region that these towing capacities remain the same across regions.
Thanks.
Hi, I’ve just purchased a 2017 Auris icon 1.8 hybrid. Can I get a tow bar fitted to use my bike carrier, also would I need a relay box for the electrics. Would you recommend using the roof rack bike carrier instead. Many thanks Bobby
Hi Bobby,
Congratulations on your new car and thanks for choosing Toyota. Whilst your car is not homologated to tow, a bike carrier can be fitted, without a tow bar. There are also aftermarket options for the roof carrier. Ultimately it is down to you. Please contact your nearest Toyota centre for more.
Thanks
Hi,
I was considering buying a genuine Toyota detachable towbar for a MY2020 RAV4. However, I would like to know if that installation involves cutting the bumper as I do not want to affect resale values of the vehicle. The Brochure appears to show the bumper uncut. However, my local dealer thinks cutting part of the bumper out is required.
Please help. Thanks
Russ
Hi Russ,
Thanks for your comment. This is something we’ll need to get back to you on after checking with the Technical Team.
Hi, please can you help.
Hi Russ, thanks for your patience.
The rear bumper is cut for the fitment of both of the towbar options currently available on the RAV4.
You can find further detail on accessory options and fitting here: https://www.toyota-tech.eu/
Thanks
Hi
I wondered if a Toyota Auris 1.8 hybrid hatchback could tow a caravan with a max weight of 1279kg please?
Thanks
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your comment.
Could you please provide us with your UK reg? We can then look into this for you.
Thanks.
On 10 June 2018 a question was raised as to whether a 16 reg Prius Plus can tow. The answer to this on 11 June and again on 12 June was that a 16 reg Prius Plus can tow.
Please will you double check on this.
Also, can a 20 reg Prius Plus be used for towing. If so what is the capacity, please.
Hi William,
Looking back at that comment, it looks like the person who answered misread the question. The reply said that a 16 plate Prius could tow, not a Prius+. We can confirm that the Prius+ is not homologated to tow, regardless of the model year. Sorry for the confusion.
Thanks
I am looking to buy a 1-2 year old 3rd generation Yaris hybrid (i.e. registered 2019 or 1st half of 2020 before the 4th generation was launched in summer 2020) and would like to confirm if it is possible to add a rear bike carrier which attaches via a towbar? The Toyota accessories webpage (https://www.toyota.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-aftercare/parts-and-accessories) allows you to select Yaris (but not hybrid) and the most recent year selectable is 2018, 2019 and 2020 are not an option. For 2018 this indicates x2 towbar based bike carrier options. Are these definitely suitable for a 3rd generation 2019/2020 Yaris hybrid? A google search suggests a towbar cannot be added to a 2019 3rd generation Yaris hybrid (https://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/187895-towing-with-a-hybrid/). Please can you advise?
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for your comment.
The previous generation Yaris Hybrid is not homologated to tow a trailer, but a non-towing ball mount can be used for attaching a bike rack. There is an official Toyota bike rack accessory available for the Yaris Hybrid, built from March 2017. It is attached using a carrier support bracket and non-towing ball mount at the rear of the car. The total vertical load that the carrier support bracket can carry is 50kg, which is two bikes, including the bike rack. The part number is PW962-0D000 and can be ordered from your nearest Toyota centre. When you have chosen a vehicle, whether it is from a Toyota centre, used car trader or private sale, we recommend double checking the registration is compatible with bike rack, just to be 100% sure.
We hope this helps.
Thanks
Hi
Can the CHR Hybrid take a tow bar for electric bikes or a caravan?
Hi Julie,
Yes, the C-HR can have a tow bar fitted, but the towing capacity differs depending on which engine it has fitted. Most have a front wheel drive 1.8 or 2.0 hybrid which can tow 725kgs. Older versions of the car are available with a 1.2 petrol turbo. Front wheel drive manual versions of that could tow up to 1300kgs and four wheel drive automatic versions could tow up to 1100kgs.
Thanks