Atlas towing a heavy cargo
Why Volkswagen

Atlas Towing Capacity

Why Volkswagen

Atlas Towing Capacity

June 27, 2019

Summer road trips get rolling with the hauling power of the AWD Atlas SUV.

Summer is here, and for many Canadians, it’s time to hit the roads and explore. Whether you’re heading to a cottage or camping, driving down south or anywhere in between, the summer road trip has become a family-sized rite of passage – and a tale of towing.

Lucky for us, the rise of the SUV has made long-distance driving comfortable and easy. The midsize Volkswagen Atlas, for example, features customizable seating and cargo space, with room for up to seven people, and plenty of legroom to boot. Add in impressive fuel economy, a suite of advanced safety features and the latest in media connectivity, and you’ve got everything you need on four wheels.

But it’s the Atlas’ towing capacity that sets it apart and makes it the ultimate road-trip vehicle. When properly equipped, the Atlas can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Or, in more practical terms, the Atlas is strong enough to haul a camper trailer, a small boat, a pair of jet skis, motorcycles, four-wheeled vehicles – are we missing anything?

Powerful Engine, Big Torque

The Atlas’ towing prowess comes from the family SUV’s robust 3.6-litre VR6 engine. Big and brawny with plenty of power, it’s capable of kicking out a whopping 276 horsepower and, most importantly from a towing perspective, 266 lb-ft of torque.

For those looking for something slightly smaller, the Atlas also offers a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. With 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the towing capacity is reduced to 2,000 pounds. Or, enough to tow a trailer outfitted with a canoe, kayaks, bikes or a small boat.

AWD Adventure

Summer road trips often require driving on rough country roads. The Atlas will keep you moving smoothly with its available 4MOTION® All-Wheel Drive system. Designed to provide added traction right when you need it most, 4MOTION® automatically directs power to the wheel or wheels in need of extra power.

The Atlas AWD system also includes other customized driver modes, including Off-Road, Custom Off-Road, Snow and On-Road. The On-Road mode includes sub-settings for Sport, Eco and Normal, while the Custom Off-Road includes Hill Hold Assist, for helping you start on a steep incline or decline.

Cargo King

Of course, a road-tripping vehicle is only as good as its cargo capacities. And here, the Atlas truly shines. Depending on your seating configuration, this midsize SUV offers up to 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Fold down the second-row and third-row seating, and you’ve got a whopping 96.8 cubic feet. What does this mean? Trust us when we say you can fit it all in, and then some.

But that’s just in the back. The Atlas also includes under-floor storage with felt lining, four trunk tie-down hooks, plus the ability to add a roof rack. Because really, you can never have too much stuff.

Now all you need to do is figure out where you’re going. Oh, and the Atlas can help with that, too. Just activate its available on-board navigation and pick your destination. Happy summer!

Discover where the Atlas can take you.

© Volkswagen Canada 2023

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  • † Prices shown are MSRP where indicated. MSRP is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and excludes taxes, freight and PDI ($1,750 (Jetta, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Golf R), and $1,950 (Tiguan, Taos, Cross Sport, Atlas, ID.4), levies, fees, optional equipment, license, insurance, registration, and any dealer or other charges (where applicable). If MSRP is not mentioned, prices shown include freight and PDI, environmental levies and a representative dealer admin fee (actual fee amount is set by dealers and varies).  Environmental or related levies and taxes may vary by jurisdiction. Dealer may sell for less. Prices are in Canadian dollars. This is not an offer to sell at a certain price. Actual selling prices and terms are set by dealers.  European or American models may be shown. Specifications, equipment, options and prices are subject to change without notice. Although we endeavour to ensure that the information contained on the website is accurate, as errors may occur from time to time, customers should contact their local Volkswagen dealer for details. Photos for illustration purposes only. Some items, such as wheels, may be unavailable on some trim levels when vehicle is built or may not be available in Canada.
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