Skip to content
GizmoDriver

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport towing capacity

Max tow rating

5,000lb

Pick another car

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
93% of 4,279 lb

Over the 85% curb weight guideline.

Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 12-16 mpg.

05,00010,00015,000Teardrop camperUtility trailerPop-up camperBoat on a trailerSmall travel trailerMid-size travel trailerCar on a car haulerLarge travel trailerFifth wheel80%: 4,000 lbRating: 5,000 lb
Pounds. Blue: fits under 4,000 lb, 80% of the rating. Orange: lighter ones fit. Grey: too heavy.

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
What it can pull at 4,000 lb
TrailerLoaded weightFits
Teardrop camper1,000 to 2,500 lbYes
Utility trailer1,000 to 3,000 lbYes
Pop-up camper1,500 to 3,000 lbYes
Boat on a trailer2,000 to 6,000 lbSome, up to 4,000 lb
Small travel trailer3,000 to 5,000 lbSome, up to 4,000 lb
Mid-size travel trailer5,000 to 7,500 lbNo
Car on a car hauler5,500 to 7,500 lbNo
Large travel trailer7,500 to 10,000 lbNo
Fifth wheel10,000 to 16,000 lbNo

Trailer weights are typical loaded weights.

Tow rating by trim

Cheapest at 5,000 lb: SE w/Technology FWD, $36,245.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport tow rating by trim
TrimEngineDrivetrainTow ratingPayloadGVWRCurb weightMSRP
SE w/Technology FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,359 lb4,279 lb$36,245
3.6L V6 SE w/Technology FWD3.6LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,279 lb$37,645
SE 4Motion w/Technology AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,564 lb4,484 lb$38,145
SE R-Line w/Technology FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,359 lb4,279 lb$39,045
3.6L V6 SE w/Technology R-Line FWD3.6LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,279 lb$39,045
3.6L V6 SE w/Technology 4MOTION3.6LAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,484 lb$40,095
SE R-Line 4Motion w/Technology AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,564 lb4,484 lb$41,495
3.6L V6 SE w/Technology R-Line 4MOTION3.6LAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,484 lb$41,495
SEL FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,359 lb4,279 lb$41,625
3.6L V6 SEL FWD3.6LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,279 lb$41,625
SEL 4Motion AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,564 lb4,484 lb$41,725
SEL R-Line FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,359 lb4,279 lb$43,325
3.6L V6 SEL R-Line FWD3.6LFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,279 lb$43,325
3.6L V6 SEL 4MOTION3.6LAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,484 lb$43,525
SEL R-Line 4Motion AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,564 lb4,484 lb$45,225
3.6L V6 SEL R-Line 4MOTION3.6LAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,484 lb$45,225
SEL Premium 4Motion AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,564 lb4,484 lb$46,525
3.6L V6 SEL Premium 4MOTION3.6LAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,484 lb$48,325
SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lb1,080 lb5,564 lb4,484 lb$50,025
3.6L V6 SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION3.6LAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,484 lb$50,025
Atlas SEL FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,425 lbN/A
Atlas SEL R-Line FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,425 lbN/A
Atlas SEL (2021.5) FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,425 lbN/A
Atlas SE w/Tech Pkg FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,425 lbN/A
Atlas SEL R-Line (2021.5) FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,425 lbN/A
Atlas SE R-Line w/Tech Pkg FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,425 lbN/A
Atlas SE w/Tech Pkg (2021.5) FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,425 lbN/A
Atlas SE R-Line w/Tech Pkg (2021.5) FWD3.6L 6cylFWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,425 lbN/A
Atlas S 4Motion AWD2.0L 4cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,436 lbN/A
Atlas SE 4Motion AWD2.0L 4cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,436 lbN/A
Atlas SEL 4Motion AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas S 4Motion (2021.5) AWD2.0L 4cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,436 lbN/A
Atlas SEL R-Line 4Motion AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SE 4Motion (2021.5) AWD2.0L 4cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,436 lbN/A
Atlas SEL Premium 4Motion AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SEL 4Motion (2021.5) AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SE 4Motion w/Tech Pkg AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SEL R-Line 4Motion (2021.5) AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SE R-Line 4Motion w/Tech Pkg AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SEL Premium 4Motion (2021.5) AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SE 4Motion w/Tech Pkg (2021.5) AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion (2021.5) AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
Atlas SE R-Line 4Motion w/Tech Pkg (2021.5) AWD3.6L 6cylAWD5,000 lbN/AN/A4,612 lbN/A
S FWD2.0L 4cylFWD2,000 lb1,080 lb5,178 lb4,098 lb$30,855
S 4Motion AWD2.0L 4cylAWD2,000 lb1,080 lb5,364 lb4,284 lb$32,755
SE FWD2.0L 4cylFWD2,000 lb1,080 lb5,178 lb4,098 lb$34,205
SE 4Motion AWD2.0L 4cylAWD2,000 lb1,080 lb5,364 lb4,284 lb$36,105
Atlas S FWD2.0L 4cylFWD2,000 lbN/AN/A4,248 lbN/A
Atlas SE FWD2.0L 4cylFWD2,000 lbN/AN/A4,248 lbN/A
Atlas S (2021.5) FWD2.0L 4cylFWD2,000 lbN/AN/A4,248 lbN/A
Atlas SE (2021.5) FWD2.0L 4cylFWD2,000 lbN/AN/A4,248 lbN/A

No rating listed: 18 trims.

Max rating by year

01,0002,0003,0004,0005,0002020202120222023202420252026
Highest rating each year, 2020 to 2026. Pounds.

Same max rating from 2020 to 2026: 5,000 lb.

Rivals: max tow rating

2021 rivals by max tow rating
ModelMax tow ratingCheapest trim at maxMSRP
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (this car)5,000 lbSE w/Technology FWD$36,245
Chevrolet Traverse5,000 lbLT Cloth FWD$35,700
Kia Telluride5,000 lbLX FWD$32,190
Subaru Ascent5,000 lbPremium AWD$34,795
Volkswagen Atlas5,000 lbS 4Motion AWD$33,445
GMC Acadia4,000 lbAT4 AWD$41,400
Buick Envision1,500 lbPreferred FWD$31,800

Lists by trailer weight

Other models rated for these weights.

What this cannot tell you

Ratings need the right hitch and tow package.

Passengers and cargo count against the payload.

How values are checked