Don’t confuse the brake controller harness which has 4 wires with the 4-pin flat trailer connector that goes on the back.
The other confusion is that ALL 2020 and 2021 Tellurides and
Palisade are pre-wired. If you pull the black box off behind the left rear bumper you will find a 12-pin connector that the harness connects to. The 2020s are prewired to the vehicle for plug and play (PnP) of 4-pin only, while the 2021 offers you the same connector but has a couple more wires giving the option of PnP for either 4-pin or 7-pin. The 2021 also offers a place to PnP a wired brake controller in the cable. The 2020 does not have the wired brake controller option as PnP.
1. If you have a 2021, that came with the tow package, then you got the 7-pin trailer connection, you just need an adapter to go from 7-pin to 4-pin. That gives you everything for less than $10.
2. If you have the 2021 and you want to create your own tow option, then you get a hitch of your choosing (Kia, Curt, Draw-Tite, or Stealth) and you have a few options.
- If you just need 4-pin flat then you can get the 2020 harness from Kia, or the Curt or Tekonsha aftermarkets harness for less that are rated for more amperage.
- If you need 7-pin then you can buy the Kia 7-pin harness that will give you the 7-pin harness
- If you need both 7-pin and 4-pin, then you get the 7-pin harness and get the adapter for less than $10.
3. If you have the 2020, regardless of what you got, tow option, tow package, build your own . . . you cannot use the 2021 7-pin harness (or you can but it will be a waste).
- If you just need 4-pin, you can use the three 4-pin options: Kia, Curt or Tekonsha
- If you need 7-pin, you can use the 4-pin harness and then get an upgrade kit and add some wires to get you to 7-pin and offer both connections at the hitch (no adapter needed)
In short, unless Kia changed what other people have been receiving, you ordered wiring you would need to make your own Tow Option (situation #2 above). However, if you got your
VIN and it includes either the Tow Option or the Tow Package, then you are in situation #1 above. You just need to spend less than $10. You don't need the harness it should come with it. If you ordered the 2021 Tow Option or the 2021 Tow Package, then you are already paying and should be getting S9F67 AC500, no need to buy it twice.
I think that Edmunds video is describing if you added the Tow Option or not. The Tow Package includes the Tow Option.
What is extra confusing is when you look at the
Palisade there is no towing package, nor towing option. You can buy the hitch and/or the harness accessories separately and have them added by the dealer or you may be able to order them like you might carpeted
floor mats. The self-leveling suspension on the
Palisade is added by adding the Convenience and Comfort Package.