Introduced in the 2018 model year, Volkswagen’s three-row mid-size Atlas is built in the States, designed for the American audience. The current 2023 edition, based upon this first-generation effort builds upon VW’s Modular Transverse Architecture (MQB), found in many VW products of varying sizes. The stately Atlas underwent a mid-cycle styling refresh in the 2021 model year.
The German automaker (whose name translates into English as, ‘The People’s Car’) zeroed in upon suburban families with tad poles and lots of accompanying stuff. Atlas serves as one of the most versatile (and roomy) VWs offered. Its car-based (unibody) MQB platform thrives upon on-road travel with deep off-roading not part of the ultimate goal.
During the 2020 model year, Europe’s largest automaker debuted the Atlas Cross Sport, sharing virtually identical wheelbase dimensions (distance between front and rear axles), but with two seating rows standard instead of three.
Both assemble down south in the Volunteer State at Volkswagen’s sole U.S. assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee opened a dozen years ago.
Atlas rates as one of several conventional five-door crossovers available at Chicagoland VW dealers joining the subcompact Taos and compact Tiguan (also offering a choice between two and three-row seating). For those ready to go all electric, Volkswagen’s ID.4 EV crossover boasts an available, above-average all-electric range of 275 miles between plug-ins.
The three-row, seven passenger Atlas includes five 2023 trim levels: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line Black and SEL Premium. Front-wheel drive and 4Motion all-wheel drive availability creates a hefty number of combinations.
Available powertrains include a four-cylinder turbocharged engine cranking out 235 horses or a peppier, naturally-aspirated (non-turbo) 3.6-liter V-6 with 276 horses and the recommended choice if budgets allow. Both get families to where they’re going with sustainable engine oomph pleasant for this segment, with nimble handling characteristics. Horsepower and suspension tilt towards comfort, not sporty.
Both mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Expect average at best fuel economy with the V-6 generating 18 miles per gallon city and 24 highway in both front and all-wheel drive. The four-cylinder front-drive rates the mpg champ with 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The 18.6-gallon fuel tank accepts regular, 87-octane fuel.
Our V-6 tester included a start-stop function quieting the engine at prolonged halts, such as intersection stop lights. Once the right foot lifts off the brake pedal, the engine snaps back to attention ready for action. Many competitors employ this technology enhancing fuel economy although Atlas provided a bit more rumble and shimmy during the process. A push of a button above the in-dash touch screen disengages this technology if desired.
The turbo four is offered in SE, SE with Technology and SEL. All offer both front and all-wheel drive (add $1,900 for all-wheel drive) sans SEL which is an all-wheel drive exclusive. The V-6 drives SE with Technology, SEL, SEL Premium and SEL R-Line Black. Only V-6 SE with Technology includes the choice of front-or all-wheel drive. The upper V-6 selections solely boast all-wheel drive.
The historic corporate V over W circular logo adorns the back hatch’s lower portion and centers the front narrow upper grille in concert with a trio of horizontal chrome bars stretching to narrow headlight housing. Inside, the orb bull’s eyes the steering wheel center and makes an appearance within the digital instrument panel when firing up the internal combustion engine.
Squared wheel wells incorporate composite black framing which continues along door bottoms and front/rear bottoms. A side character line adorns the four side doors, incorporating an arch over the wheel wells. Body-colored, strap-like handles adorn all four side doors. Dual rectangular exhausts frame with a chrome-like finish. All trims sans the base SE include a power rear hatch with secondary kick-senser activation; if hands and arms are full, just wave your foot under the bumper (with key fob on person) and the door raises.
Our front-wheel drive Tourmaline Blue Metallic (an exterior hue many commented positively upon) V-6 SE with Technology started at $40,520. The only factory add on; larger, 20-inch alloy wheels ($595) bringing the final tally to $42,410. A front-drive, four-cylinder SE starts at $35,150.
This mid-level V-6 front-drive SE with Technology makes a smart, competent purchase among the many trim combos. Too many times automakers supply a top-level trim for testing, leaving evaluators to ponder about the value of mid-level trims which make up the bulk of sales.
The 2023 model year rates as evolutionary rather than revolutionary with the major addition consisting of a larger 10.2-inch digital instrument panel in place of the eight-inch size. The SE with Technology enjoys this perk as do all trims above. Front and center, Atlas offers the choice of a standard 6.5-inch center in-dash screen or upgraded 8-inch variety.
The Atlas interior welcomes instead of overwhelming drivers upon entry with intuitive commands residing in familiar places worthy of the People’s Car motto. All three rows include USB charging ports. Wireless Smartphone compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included.
The flat touch-sensitive screen nestled inside the central dash rates as one of the more intuitive designs with a minimal learning curve thanks in part to small but welcome volume and station select knobs. It’s part of VW’s third-generation of modular infotainment matrix (MIB3) with the screen incorporating captive-touch sensors, similar to Smartphone-type screen action.
Atlas, as with its smaller Taos and Tiguan counterparts, enjoys a solid build. Materials and coverings are of the non-luxury-appointed variety in the form of synthetic leather upholstery. Genuine leather upholstery is optional.
Three old-school, well-marked dials below the center multi-function screen monitor a couple HVAC desires (fan speed, temperature) with a below row consisting of three buttons deflecting fan flow in various directions. The row above includes a red hazard button.
A ground clearance of 7.5 inches measures a comfortable average for a mid-size crossover, so in and out requires no extra step-up or down effort.
Seven-rider seating comes standard with the traditional second row a 60/40-split bench. Optional in row two, a pair of Captain’s chairs ($695) reducing seating capacity to a half dozen available in SE with technology and all higher trims.
Second row 60/40 split bench seats each slide 7.7 inches and recline up to 14 degrees. For those carting young children, three child seats fit in this construct with lower latchings at easy disposal. When contorting into the two-person third row, second-row seatbacks easily tilt forward with the lift of a tap-side tab, then the entire seat/backrest units slide forward (even if child seats are intact) via a floor track providing better-than-average aisle girth. As a six-footer ensconced within the way back row, head and leg room measured average-to-tight although this space is best designed for pre-teens and tweens. The first two rows offer ample-to-great head/leg space.
For those seeking better-than-average cargo calculations, Atlas shines. With the third seat prone, a usable 20.6 cubic feet of space awaits. Manually folding down the 50-50-split seating expands that figure to 55.5 cubic feet. Flattening second row backrests provides a best-in-Midsize-class 96.8 cubic feet with a consistently flat base. Peek under the floor behind the third row to discover a temporary spare tire and jack, items not always part of a 2023 vehicle.
The electronic push-start button resides between front buckets, an easier reach than the lower dash, which sometimes finds an obstructive steering wheel/column blocking the way. Also nearby, a sizable, easy grab mechanical vertical sliding, mechanical-like transmission shifter and small, electronic parking brake pull tab.
Another nice perk when purchasing Atlas, VW’s Carefree Scheduled Maintenance offering complimentary servicing at 10,000-and 20,000-mile intervals (or twice within a two-year time frame) at a participating VW dealership. Also complementary, 24-hour roadside assistance for the first three years or 36,000 miles covering tire changes, jump starts and towing.
2023 VW Atlas SE with TechnologyEngine: 3.6-liter V-6
Horsepower: 276
Wheelbase: 117.3 inches
Overall length: 200.7 inches
Overall Height: 70.4 inches
Overall width: 78.3 inches
Curb weight: 4,594 pounds
Fuel economy: 18 mpg city, 24 highway
Powertrain warranty: Four years/50,000 miles
Assembly: Chattanooga Tennessee