2020 Volkswagen Atlas towing capacity
Max tow rating
5,000lb
- SE FWD, 2.0L 4cyl.
- Base trim: 2,000 lb.
- Top 35% of 120 SUVs (2020).
Trailer check
Yes. 4,000 lb is within 80% of the rating.
- Tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% rule
- Up to 4,000 lb
- Margin
- 1,000 lb (20%)
- Hitch class needed
- III, up to 8,000 lb
- Share of curb weight
- Curb weight not listed
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 13-18 mpg.
What it can pull
Rule: keep the trailer at 80% of the rating or less.
- Max tow rating
- 5,000 lb
- 80% of the rating
- 4,000 lb
- Hitch class at max
- III, up to 8,000 lb
| Trailer | Loaded weight | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Teardrop camper | 1,000 to 2,500 lb | Yes |
| Utility trailer | 1,000 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Pop-up camper | 1,500 to 3,000 lb | Yes |
| Boat on a trailer | 2,000 to 6,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Small travel trailer | 3,000 to 5,000 lb | Some, up to 4,000 lb |
| Mid-size travel trailer | 5,000 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Car on a car hauler | 5,500 to 7,500 lb | No |
| Large travel trailer | 7,500 to 10,000 lb | No |
| Fifth wheel | 10,000 to 16,000 lb | No |
Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.
Tow rating by trim
Cheapest at 5,000 lb: SE FWD, $34,695.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,233 lb to 4,594 lb | $34,695 |
| S 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,442 lb to 5,417 lb | $34,745 |
| 3.6L V6 S 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,502 lb | $34,745 |
| 3.6L V6 SE FWD | 3.6L | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,336 lb to 4,594 lb | $36,095 |
| SE 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,442 lb to 5,417 lb | $37,895 |
| 3.6L V6 SE 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,502 lb | $37,895 |
| SE w/Tech Pkg FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,328 lb to 4,594 lb | $38,445 |
| 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology FWD | 3.6L | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,336 lb to 4,594 lb | $38,445 |
| SE 4Motion w/Tech Pkg AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,442 lb to 5,417 lb | $40,245 |
| 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,502 lb | $40,245 |
| SE R-Line w/Tech Pkg FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,328 lb to 4,594 lb | $40,645 |
| 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology R-Line FWD | 3.6L | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,336 lb to 4,594 lb | $40,645 |
| SEL FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,328 lb to 4,594 lb | $40,795 |
| SE R-Line 4Motion w/Tech Pkg AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,442 lb to 5,417 lb | $42,445 |
| 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology R-Line 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,502 lb | $42,445 |
| 3.6L V6 SEL FWD | 3.6L | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,336 lb to 4,594 lb | $42,595 |
| SEL R-Line FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,328 lb to 4,594 lb | $44,295 |
| 3.6L V6 SEL R-Line FWD | 3.6L | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,336 lb to 4,594 lb | $44,295 |
| SEL 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,442 lb to 5,417 lb | $44,395 |
| 3.6L V6 SEL 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,502 lb | $44,395 |
| SEL R-Line 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,442 lb to 5,417 lb | $46,095 |
| 3.6L V6 SEL R-Line 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,502 lb | $46,095 |
| SEL Premium 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,442 lb to 5,417 lb | $49,195 |
| 3.6L V6 SEL Premium 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,502 lb | $49,195 |
| Cross Sport SEL FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,226 lb to 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SEL R-Line FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,226 lb to 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SE w/Technology FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,226 lb to 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SE R-Line w/Technology FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 4,226 lb to 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SEL 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,411 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SEL R-Line 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,411 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SEL Premium 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,411 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SE 4Motion w/Technology AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,411 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,411 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SE R-Line 4Motion w/Technology AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 4,411 lb | N/A |
| S FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 2,000 lb | 4,233 lb to 4,594 lb | $31,545 |
| Cross Sport S FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 2,000 lb | 4,103 lb to 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SE FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 2,000 lb | 4,103 lb to 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport S 4Motion AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 2,000 lb | 4,288 lb to 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Cross Sport SE 4Motion AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 2,000 lb | 4,288 lb to 4,594 lb | N/A |
No rating listed: 17 trims.
Max rating by year
Same max rating from 2018 to 2026: 5,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder | 6,000 lb | S 2WD | $31,980 |
| Volkswagen Atlas (this car) | 5,000 lb | SE FWD | $34,695 |
| Honda Pilot | 5,000 lb | Touring AWD | $44,720 |
| Hyundai Palisade | 5,000 lb | SE FWD | $31,975 |
| Kia Telluride | 5,000 lb | LX FWD | $31,890 |
| Ford Edge | 3,500 lb | ST AWD | $43,265 |
| Nissan Murano | 1,500 lb | FWD S | $31,730 |
Lists by trailer weight
Other models rated for these weights.
- What can tow 1,500 lb? 173 models (2026)
- What can tow 2,000 lb? 155 models (2026)
- What can tow 3,500 lb? 135 models (2026)
- What can tow 5,000 lb? 92 models (2026)
What this cannot tell you
Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.
Passengers and cargo count against the payload.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree