The VW Atlas was introduced into VW’s lineup as their largest family SUV in 2018 and is still made today. The Atlas has many features consumers expect from today’s SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a 2018 VW Atlas?
A 2018 Volkswagen Atlas has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
There’s a bit more to know about the 2018 VW Atlas tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas Tow?
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The 2018 VW Atlas tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.
You can always reach out to your local VW dealership for details to confirm how much your Atlas can tow.
You can check out our guide to Volkswagen Atlas towing capacity by year if you’re looking at a different model year’s max capacity or if you want to compare different years of this vehicle.
2018 VW Atlas Tow Capacity By Trim Level
There are several trim levels for the 2018 Atlas, and some engines are not available on certain trims, so they’ll each have different max towing limits.
Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each trim level on the 2018 VW Atlas:
| 2018 VW Atlas Engine Type | Maximum Braked Towing Capacity |
| All Trims (2.0L Turbo 4 Cylinder Engine) | 2,000 lbs / 907 kg |
| All Trims (3.6L V6 Engine) | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
Towing Capacity By Engine Size & Drivetrain
2018 Volkswagen Atlas Engine Towing Specs
There are two engine options for the 2018 Atlas, which are a 2.0L I-4 turbocharged engine that makes 235 horsepower and 258 lb-feet of torque, and a 3.6L V6 engine that makes 276 horsepower and 265 lb-feet of torque.
2018 VW Atlas 2.0L I-4 Engine Towing Capacity: 2,000 pounds
2018 VW Atlas 3.6L V6 Engine Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2018 Volkswagen Atlas Drivetrain Towing Specs
The 2018 VW Atlas comes standard with front wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option.
2018 VW Atlas FWD Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2018 VW Atlas AWD Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
Note that these are the max towing limits for each 2018 VW Atlas engine. Your VW Atlas may have a lower towing capacity based on the drivetrain, axle ratio, and if your vehicle has a towing package installed.
2018 VW Atlas Payload Capacity
The maximum payload capacity of the 2018 VW Atlas is 1,495 pounds.
Note that the max payload capacity of your 2018 Atlas will vary based on factors like the engine type, drivetrain and whether or not a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler is installed.
You can always contact your local dealership for extra details if you’re unsure of your vehicle’s payload capability.
2018 VW Atlas Tow Package
The 2018 VW Atlas comes standard with a towing hitch and wiring harness installed on all trim levels that have the 3.6L V6 engine.
We definitely recommend getting the tow package if you plan on towing anything with your 2018 Atlas.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2018 VW Atlas has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing.
This number is a little less than the Atlas’s main competitors which are the 2018 Hyundai Palisade and the 2018 Kia Telluride.
Here are some similar vehicles to the 2018 VW Atlas and their towing capacities below:
2018 Ford Explorer Towing Capacity: 5,600 pounds
2018 Honda Pilot Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2018 Toyota Highlander Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2018 Volkswagen Models Towing Capacity Chart
| 2018 VW SUV Model | Towing Capacity |
| 2018 Volkswagen Atlas | 5,000 pounds |
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,500 pounds |
| 2018 Volkswagen Golf | 1,000 pounds |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2018 VW Atlas Owner’s Manual on VW’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a 2018 VW Atlas.
