2018 Volkswagen Atlas towing capacity
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is published in 11 configurations, with tow ratings ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 lb depending on cab, bed, drivetrain, and hitch class. The peak figure (5,000 lb) sits in mid-size SUV / pickup territory.
The table below lists every trim of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas with the engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, horsepower, torque, GVWR, curb weight, and payload that go with that trim's headline tow rating. Manufacturers often publish more than one tow figure per truck — a conventional bumper-hitch rating, a weight-distributing rating, and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel rating — so the highest number here is the maximum across all hitch classes the source carries for the trim.
Per-trim breakdown
| Configuration | Engine | HP | Torque | Axle | Tow (lb) | GVWR | Curb | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Edition Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,336 | — |
| S Sport Utility 4D | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 235 | 258 | — | 2,000 | — | 4,336 | — |
| S 4Motion Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,502 | — |
| SE w/Tech Pkg Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,336 | — |
| SE 4Motion Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,502 | — |
| SEL Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,336 | — |
| SE 4Motion w/Tech Pkg Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,502 | — |
| SE Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,336 | — |
| Launch Edition 4Motion Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,502 | — |
| SEL 4Motion Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,502 | — |
| SEL Premium 4Motion Sport Utility 4D | V6, 3.6 Liter | 276 | 266 | — | 5,000 | — | 4,502 | — |
How to interpret the headline tow figure
Tow ratings at this level are normally achievable with a conventional Class II or Class III receiver hitch. Always verify your vehicle has the manufacturer's tow package installed if you intend to tow at the upper end of the rating, and inspect the door-jamb sticker for the actual maximum permitted on your specific configuration.
Other 2018 Volkswagen models
The rest of Volkswagen's 2018 lineup, ranked by maximum tow rating. Click through for the per-trim breakdown of any of these.
| Model | Max tow (lb) |
|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | 2,200 |
All figures sourced from manufacturer documentation. See our methodology for how the dataset is compiled. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker before towing.