2021 Volkswagen Atlas towing capacity

Max tow rating

5,000lb

S 4Motion AWD, 2.0L 4cyl.
Base trim: 2,000 lb.
Top 34% of 127 SUVs (2021).

Trailer check

Trailer weight, lbTrim

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: 90% of 4,436 lb

Over the 85% curb weight guideline.

Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 13-18 mpg.

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
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: S 4Motion AWD, $33,445.

2021 Volkswagen Atlas tow rating by trim
Trim	Engine	Drivetrain	Tow rating	Payload	GVWR	Curb weight	MSRP
S 4Motion AWD	2.0L 4cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,516 lb	4,436 lb	$33,445
SE 4Motion AWD	2.0L 4cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,516 lb	4,436 lb	$36,795
3.6L V6 SE w/Technology FWD	3.6L	FWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,427 lb	$38,295
2021.5 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology FWD	3.6L	FWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,427 lb	$38,345
3.6L V6 SE w/Technology R-Line FWD	3.6L	FWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,427 lb	$39,695
2021.5 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology R-Line FWD	3.6L	FWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,427 lb	$39,745
3.6L V6 SE w/Technology 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$40,195
2021.5 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$40,245
3.6L V6 SE w/Technology R-Line 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$41,595
2021.5 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology R-Line 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$41,645
3.6L V6 SEL FWD	3.6L	FWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,427 lb	$42,295
2021.5 3.6L V6 SEL FWD	3.6L	FWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,427 lb	$42,325
SEL 4Motion AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	$42,395
3.6L V6 SEL R-Line FWD	3.6L	FWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,427 lb	$43,995
2021.5 3.6L V6 SEL R-Line FWD	3.6L	FWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,427 lb	$44,025
3.6L V6 SEL 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$44,195
2021.5 3.6L V6 SEL 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$44,225
3.6L V6 SEL R-Line 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$45,895
2021.5 3.6L V6 SEL R-Line 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$45,925
SEL Premium 4Motion AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	$47,195
3.6L V6 SEL Premium 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$48,995
2021.5 3.6L V6 SEL Premium 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$49,025
3.6L V6 SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$50,695
2021.5 3.6L V6 SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION	3.6L	AWD	5,000 lb	N/A	N/A	4,614 lb	$50,725
SEL FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,505 lb	4,425 lb	N/A
SEL R-Line FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,505 lb	4,425 lb	N/A
SEL (2021.5) FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,505 lb	4,425 lb	N/A
SE w/Tech Pkg FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,505 lb	4,425 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SEL FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,359 lb	4,279 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
SEL R-Line (2021.5) FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,505 lb	4,425 lb	N/A
SE R-Line w/Tech Pkg FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,505 lb	4,425 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SEL R-Line FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,359 lb	4,279 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
SE w/Tech Pkg (2021.5) FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,505 lb	4,425 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SE w/Technology FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,359 lb	4,279 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
SE R-Line w/Tech Pkg (2021.5) FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,505 lb	4,425 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SE R-Line w/Technology FWD	3.6L 6cyl	FWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,359 lb	4,279 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
S 4Motion (2021.5) AWD	2.0L 4cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,516 lb	4,436 lb	N/A
SEL R-Line 4Motion AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
SE 4Motion (2021.5) AWD	2.0L 4cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,516 lb	4,436 lb	N/A
SEL 4Motion (2021.5) AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
SE 4Motion w/Tech Pkg AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SEL 4Motion AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,564 lb	4,484 lb	N/A
SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
SEL R-Line 4Motion (2021.5) AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
SE R-Line 4Motion w/Tech Pkg AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
SEL Premium 4Motion (2021.5) AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SEL R-Line 4Motion AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,564 lb	4,484 lb	N/A
SE 4Motion w/Tech Pkg (2021.5) AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SEL Premium 4Motion AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,564 lb	4,484 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SE 4Motion w/Technology AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,564 lb	4,484 lb	N/A
SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion (2021.5) AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
SE R-Line 4Motion w/Tech Pkg (2021.5) AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,692 lb	4,612 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,564 lb	4,484 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SE R-Line 4Motion w/Technology AWD	3.6L 6cyl	AWD	5,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,564 lb	4,484 lb	N/A
S FWD	2.0L 4cyl	FWD	2,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,328 lb	4,248 lb to 4,594 lb	$31,545
SE FWD	2.0L 4cyl	FWD	2,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,328 lb	4,248 lb to 4,594 lb	$34,895
S (2021.5) FWD	2.0L 4cyl	FWD	2,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,328 lb	4,248 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
SE (2021.5) FWD	2.0L 4cyl	FWD	2,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,328 lb	4,248 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
Cross Sport S FWD	2.0L 4cyl	FWD	2,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,178 lb	4,098 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SE FWD	2.0L 4cyl	FWD	2,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,178 lb	4,098 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
Cross Sport S 4Motion AWD	2.0L 4cyl	AWD	2,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,364 lb	4,284 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A
Cross Sport SE 4Motion AWD	2.0L 4cyl	AWD	2,000 lb	1,080 lb	5,364 lb	4,284 lb to 4,594 lb	N/A

No rating listed: 28 trims.

Max rating by year

Highest rating each year, 2018 to 2026. Pounds.

Same max rating from 2018 to 2026: 5,000 lb.

Rivals: max tow rating

2021 rivals by max tow rating
Model	Max tow rating	Cheapest trim at max	MSRP
Volkswagen Atlas (this car)	5,000 lb	S 4Motion AWD	$33,445
Honda Pilot	5,000 lb	Touring AWD	$45,220
Kia Telluride	5,000 lb	LX FWD	$32,190
Subaru Ascent	5,000 lb	Premium AWD	$34,795
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport	5,000 lb	SE w/Technology FWD	$36,245
Buick Envision	1,500 lb	Preferred FWD	$31,800

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

How values are checked