2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport towing capacity
Max tow rating
5,000lb
- SE w/Technology FWD, 2.0L 4cyl.
- Base trim: 2,000 lb.
- Top 37% of 147 SUVs (2026).
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
- 96% of 4,165 lb
Over the 85% curb weight guideline.
Expect 20-40% lower mpg when towing: 14-18 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 w/Technology FWD, $42,720.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Tow rating | Payload | GVWR | Curb weight | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE w/Technology FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | 1,102 lb | 5,776 lb | 4,165 lb | $42,720 |
| SE 4MOTION w/Technology AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,102 lb | 5,776 lb | 4,341 lb | $44,620 |
| SEL 4MOTION AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,102 lb | 5,776 lb | 4,341 lb | $48,610 |
| SEL R-Line Black 4MOTION AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,102 lb | 5,776 lb | 4,341 lb | $50,560 |
| SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | 1,102 lb | 5,776 lb | 4,341 lb | $53,620 |
| Atlas SE w/Tech Pkg FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,317 lb | N/A |
| Atlas SEL R-Line 4MOTION AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,636 lb | N/A |
| Atlas SE 4MOTION w/Tech Pkg AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,484 lb | N/A |
| Atlas SEL Premium R-Line 4MOTION AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 5,000 lb | N/A | N/A | 4,636 lb | N/A |
| SE FWD | 2.0L 4cyl | FWD | 2,000 lb | 1,102 lb | 5,776 lb | 4,165 lb | $38,300 |
| SE 4MOTION AWD | 2.0L 4cyl | AWD | 2,000 lb | 1,102 lb | 5,776 lb | 4,341 lb | $40,200 |
No rating listed: 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 6,200 lb | Laredo 4x2 | $38,920 |
| Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (this car) | 5,000 lb | SE w/Technology FWD | $42,720 |
| Ford Explorer | 5,000 lb | Active RWD | $38,465 |
| Kia EV6 | 2,700 lb | Light RWD | $37,900 |
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