The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is perfectly capable of light off-roading, especially when equipped with its 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. However, it's not quite the three-row SUV you’d want to do heavy off-roading in.

While some drivers seek SUVs for their ample cargo or passenger room, others are looking for something rugged to take on the trails. Determining whether an SUV is a true off-road vehicle or not can be tricky, though. How do you know which SUVs fit the bill?

Here to walk you through the Volkswagen Atlas’ off-road rating is

Jerry

, the

car insurance

expert and

trusted comparison tool

. From ground clearance and tires to engine power and torque, let’s take a look at what the Atlas can handle.

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Volkswagen Atlas car insurance cost

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Can the Volkswagen Atlas go off road?

Yes. The Volkswagen Atlas can go off road—especially when equipped with the 4Motion AWD upgrade. That said, it’s best to stick to fairly easy trails. The Atlas is not capable of hardcore rock crawling.

But it’s also more affordable than most SUVs designed for off-roading, starting at $31,545. Its 235-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder or 276-horsepower V6 engine admittedly runs on the sluggish side, but the Atlas’ handling is composed and steady when taking sharp turns or twisting trails.

But does good handling translate into good off-roading? Here are some key specs to give you a better idea of the Volkswagen Atlas’ off-road potential.

Ground clearance

Measuring the distance between the lowest part of your SUV’s chassis and the terrain, ground clearance is one of the more critical specs when it comes to off-roading. The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas has a ground clearance of just 8 inches, which limits its off-road capability.

You want to avoid damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage during an off-roading excursion, so the ideal ground clearance for off-roaders is between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. While the Atlas should be able to clear some uneven terrain, like snow and gravel, it can’t take on anything too hardcore.

An example of a better-equipped off-roading vehicle is the 2021 Ford Bronco Badlands, which has a ground clearance of 11.5 inches when opting for the Sasquatch Package upgrade.

Torque

When shopping for an off-road SUV, you’ll want to look for a vehicle with low-end torque. Essentially, this means that the engine produces a higher amount of power at a lower rpm, which helps your vehicle better handle uneven or unpredictable terrain like dirt, snow, or mud.

Equipped with its base 235-horsepower four-cylinder engine, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas gets 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm. That is an excellent low-end torque for off-road maneuvering.

Tires

The base SE trim of the Volkswagen Atlas comes with all-season tires and 18-inch alloy wheels. Upgrading trims will give you 20-inch wheels, with the highest SEL Premium R-Line trim increasing your wheel size to 21 inches.

While bigger wheels make for better off-roading, you’ll want to have all-terrain tires for the best traction on mixed terrain. Your Atlas’ all-season tires are perfectly suitable on paved roads and in changing weather conditions. They even last longer than all-terrain tires.

However, if you want to head off road, you’ll need to purchase all-terrain tires for about $200 to $300 a tire.

MORE: Winter tires vs. all-season tires: Which is better?

Drivetrain

All-wheel drive is all but necessary if you want to do any significant off-roading. Though front-wheel drive comes standard on the SE and SE with technology trims, you can opt for an all-wheel-drive system upgrade for an extra cost.

If you go for a mid-level trim (the SEL) or anything higher, the Atlas’ 4Motion all-wheel-drive system comes standard—with convenient features like Snow and Off-Road drive modes.

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Angles

Similar to ground clearance, your vehicle’s approach angle and departure angle can give you a good idea of how well it can handle off-roading terrain. Here’s how that breaks down:

Approach angle: This is the maximum angle at which your vehicle can ascend without hitting the front bumper

Departure angle: This is the maximum angle at which your vehicle can descend without hitting the rear bumper

Admittedly, the Volkswagen Atlas struggles as an off-road SUV here. With a 19-degree approach angle and a 21-degree departure angle, the Atlas isn’t really up to anything more than some gentle slopes.

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

According to

Jerry’s

very own, super-fancy DIRT rating scale, we’ve distinguished the Volkswagen Atlas as a “rough and ready” vehicle. Here’s how the scale breaks down:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Keep this vehicle on the nice, paved highway
I	In a Pinch	Given the right conditions, this vehicle can handle limited off-roading
R	Rough and Ready	This vehicle’s ready to take on some light off-roading, like dirt, snow, and gravel
T	Trail Boss	This vehicle is a solid off-roader—equipped to handle the toughest terrain

Though the Atlas’ impressive torque and capable AWD system enable some off-roading capability, this VW lacks the ground clearance and general build of a heavier trail boss like the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Toyota 4Runner.

The Atlas should handle snow, dirt, and gravel like a pro, but it’s best to leave the muddy rock crawling to more dedicated off-road SUVs.

Just keep in mind, trail boss SUVs are associated with riskier off-roading by insurance companies, too—so you may find

Jeep Grand Cheroke Trailhawk insurance cost

and

Toyota 4Runner insurance cost

run higher.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the Volkswagen Atlas

If you’re in the market for a three-row SUV with generous cargo storage—96.8 cubic feet of it to be exact—and light off-roading capability, the Volkswagen Atlas is the SUV for you. But, if you’re looking for a vehicle that has better standard safety features or perhaps a more luxurious driving experience, there are other options out there.

Here are a few Volkswagen Atlas alternatives to consider, depending on what type of off-road SUV suits your needs.

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best alternative for safety	2022 Hyundai Palisade	$33,600	Though the 2022 Hyundai Palisade doesn’t outshine the Atlas in terms of ground clearance and torque, its base SE trim is loaded with standard safety tech like Safe Exit Assist and turn signal mirrors.
Best value alternative	2020 Kia Telluride	$31,890	For a great price, the 2020 Kia Telluride comes with ample off-road features standard on its base LX model. This includes downhill brake control, four drive modes with two AWD settings, and a 5,000-lb towing capacity with self-leveling rear suspension.
Best luxury alternative	2020 INFINITI QX60	$44,350	While the 2020 Infiniti QX60 isn’t going to be much more of an off-roader than the Atlas, tri-zone temperature control, leatherette seating, and power-adjustable seats can guarantee any trip (on or off the road) will at least be a comfortable one.

MORE:The 10 best SUVs for towing

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Off-road vehicles are designed to endure riskier off-road driving conditions, which also means they can be more expensive to insure. Finding affordable

car insurance

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The average Jerry user ends up saving more than $800 a year on car insurance, so it’s definitely worth a look to cover that off-road SUV for less.

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