2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport towing capacity
Max tow rating
5,000lb
- SE w/Technology FWD, 3.6L 6cyl.
- Base trim: 2,000 lb.
- Top 36% of 151 SUVs (2023).
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.
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 w/Technology FWD, $38,630.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE w/Technology FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 1,080 lb | 5,359 lb | 4,279 lb | $38,630 |
| 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology FWD | 3.6L | FWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,270 lb | $40,380 |
| SE 4MOTION w/Technology AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,080 lb | 5,544 lb | 4,464 lb | $40,530 |
| 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,449 lb | $42,280 |
| SEL 4MOTION AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,080 lb | 5,544 lb | 4,464 lb | $44,230 |
| 3.6L V6 SEL 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,449 lb | $45,980 |
| SEL R-Line Black 4MOTION AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,080 lb | 5,544 lb | 4,464 lb | $46,180 |
| 3.6L V6 SEL R-Line Black 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,449 lb | $47,930 |
| SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,080 lb | 5,544 lb | 4,464 lb | $51,625 |
| 3.6L V6 SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION | 3.6L | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,449 lb | $51,625 |
| Atlas SE w/Tech Pkg FWD | 3.6L 6cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,420 lb | N/A |
| Atlas SEL 4MOTION AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Atlas SE 4MOTION w/Tech Pkg AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Atlas SEL R-Line Black 4MOTION AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,594 lb | N/A |
| Atlas SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION AWD | 3.6L 6cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,594 lb | N/A |
| SE FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 2,000 lb | 1,080 lb | 5,203 lb | 4,123 lb | $34,460 |
| 2.0T SE FWD | 2.0L | FWD | 2,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,114 lb | $34,460 |
| SE 4MOTION AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 2,000 lb | 1,080 lb | 5,388 lb | 4,308 lb | $36,360 |
| 2.0T SE 4MOTION | 2.0L | AWD | 2,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,295 lb | $36,360 |
| 2.0T SE w/Technology FWD | 2.0L | FWD | 2,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,114 lb | $38,630 |
| 2.0T SE w/Technology 4MOTION | 2.0L | AWD | 2,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,295 lb | $40,530 |
| 2.0T SEL 4MOTION | 2.0L | AWD | 2,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,295 lb | $44,230 |
| 2.0T SEL R-Line Black 4MOTION | 2.0L | AWD | 2,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,295 lb | $46,180 |
| Atlas SE FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 2,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,261 lb | N/A |
| Atlas SE 4MOTION AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 2,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,451 lb | N/A |
No rating listed: 5 trims.
Max rating by year
Same max rating from 2020 to 2026: 5,000 lb.
Rivals: max tow rating
| Model | Max tow rating | Cheapest trim at max | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (this car) | 5,000 lb | SE w/Technology FWD | $38,630 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 5,000 lb | LT Cloth FWD | $37,045 |
| Ford Bronco | 4,500 lb | Raptor 4 Door Advanced 4x4 | $80,580 |
| Nissan Murano | 1,500 lb | FWD S | $34,160 |
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