Kia Sportage: Vehicle weight

This section explains how to load your Kia Sportage so that its total weight remains within the vehicle’s design limits. Correct loading helps the vehicle perform as intended. Before adding passengers, cargo or optional equipment, become familiar with the weight ratings listed in the vehicle specifications and on the certification label. The following terms will help you understand those ratings.

Base kerb weight

Base kerb weight is the vehicle’s weight with a full fuel tank and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo or optional equipment.

Vehicle kerb weight

Vehicle kerb weight is the weight of the new vehicle as delivered by the dealer, plus any aftermarket equipment fitted to it.

Cargo weight

Cargo weight is the total weight added to the base kerb weight, including cargo and optional equipment.

GAW (Gross axle weight)

Gross axle weight is the total weight carried by an individual axle, front or rear. It includes the vehicle’s kerb weight and its share of the payload.

GAWR (Gross axle weight rating)

Gross axle weight rating is the maximum permitted load on a single axle, either front or rear. The applicable ratings are shown on the vehicle certification label.

The load carried by either axle must never exceed its GAWR.

GVW (Gross vehicle weight)

Gross vehicle weight is the base kerb weight plus the actual cargo weight and the weight of the passengers.

GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating)

Gross vehicle weight rating is the maximum permitted weight of the fully loaded vehicle, including options, equipment, passengers and cargo. The GVWR is printed on the certification label on the driver’s or front passenger’s door sill.

WARNING

Vehicle weight

The GAWR and GVWR for your Kia Sportage are listed on the certification label attached to the driver’s or front passenger’s door. Exceeding either rating can damage the vehicle or cause an accident. To estimate the load, weigh cargo and passengers before placing them in the vehicle, and make sure the total remains within the specified limits.

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