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Residing in a field isn’t so unhealthy when the field is Volkswagen’s cavernous three-row Atlas SUV. In contrast to many others within the platoon of three-row mid-sizers, the Atlas has a sufficiently big rearmost seat to comfortably deal with adults. The Atlas will get energy from both a 235-hp turbocharged four-cylinder or a 276-hp V-6 that may tow as much as 5000 kilos. Each powertrains include an eight-speed automated transmission and will be ordered with both front- or all-wheel drive. Whereas we discovered the inside supplies to be a bit extra company than in opponents such because the plusher Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-9, the Atlas’s huge inside house makes it extra sensible due to better cargo room when the third row is folded. If seating and cargo house aren’t as necessary to you as type, the Atlas Cross Sport, which we assessment individually, places a sporty spin on Volkswagen’s huge German carton.
Volkswagen simplifies the Atlas’s trim ranges and makes a minor gear change for 2023. The bottom Atlas SE begins the brand new five-trim lineup, because the beforehand supplied Atlas S is now not on the menu. VW has added its 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Professional instrument cluster as customary gear for all trims above SE.
We’d advocate the V-6-powered SE with the Know-how package deal. Those that need 4Motion all-wheel drive can add it for $1900. Our instance contains a variety of options, together with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, adaptive cruise management, three-zone local weather management, and distant begin. To that, we might add the second-row captain’s chairs and the tow hitch that unlocks the Atlas’s most towing capability of 5000 kilos.
The Atlas comes with considered one of two engines—a 235-hp four-cylinder or a 276-hp V-6. Each pair with an eight-speed automated transmission and both front- or all-wheel drive. The V-6 feels and sounds refined, transmitting nary a shiver into the cabin. Although the final four-cylinder and V-6 fashions we examined had strange acceleration, out on the street, they hardly ever felt underpowered. Whereas it is not as a lot enjoyable to drive because the Mazda CX-9, the Atlas responds obediently to steering inputs and by no means feels clumsy. It’s composed on the freeway and nimble within the metropolis. The journey is easy, and all however the harshest potholes are absorbed.
Volkswagen places a factory-installed trailer hitch on each Atlas with the 276-hp V-6. The six-cylinder fashions have a most towing capability of 5000 kilos, as a lot because the Toyota 4Runner and Subaru Ascent. The Atlas’s pulling power drops to 2000 kilos for four-cylinder fashions.
The Atlas’s fuel-economy rankings aren’t groundbreaking for this class of big-box household haulers, however its real-world efficiency is not far off from the phase’s gasoline sippers. The four-cylinder mannequin is essentially the most environment friendly with the front-wheel drive model scoring rankings of 21 mpg metropolis and 25 mpg freeway. The thirstier V-6 mannequin is rated at 18 mpg metropolis and 24 mpg freeway with front-wheel drive and 16 mpg metropolis and 22 mpg freeway with all-wheel drive. We ran each powertrains on our 75-mph real-world route, which is a part of our extensive testing regimen, and the V-6 Atlas returned 24 mpg; the four-cylinder mannequin delivered 27 mpg. For extra details about the Atlas’s gasoline economic system, go to the EPA’s website.
Household-friendly inside house, a simple management format, and an overabundance of cupholders make the Atlas a sensible alternative, even amongst different extremely sensible rivals. Plus, a 3rd row of seats that may comfortably accommodate full-size adults is a particular win. The inside design of the Atlas is uncomplicated and utilitarian—excellent for households however much less so for type professionals. The cabin ought to accommodate absolutely anything a suburban household can throw at it, and there are many thoughtfully positioned storage nooks to stash small gadgets. In our baggage testing, the Atlas impressed us by becoming 4 carry-on suitcases behind the third row and 38 behind the primary, similar because the enormous Honda Pilot.
Irrespective of which trim you select, the Atlas comes nicely related and able to entertain. The touchscreen interface is intuitive and about as responsive as a mean smartphone. The SE has a regular 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, a six-speaker sound system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and two USB ports. Beginning on SE trims with the Know-how package deal, the touchscreen grows to eight.0 inches, the again seats share three USB ports, SiriusXM 360L satellite tv for pc radio (subscription required) joins the celebration, and there is a wi-fi cellphone charging pad.
The Atlas comes with a bevy of ordinary and non-obligatory driver-assistance technology. For extra details about the Atlas’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:
Volkswagen gives an above-average restricted guarantee, however its powertrain protection falls wanting most opponents’. VW does sweeten the take care of complimentary scheduled upkeep that’s much like what Toyota presents.
Specs
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, front- or all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
BASE PRICE
S, $32,565; SE, $35,915; V6 SE, $39,315; V6 SE R-Line, $40,715; V6 SEL, $43,315; SEL 4Motion, $43,415; V6 SEL R-Line, $40,015
ENGINES
Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 235 hp, 258 lb-ft; DOHC 24-valve V-6, 276 hp, 266 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automated
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.3 in
Size: 200.7 in
Width: 78.3 in
Top: 70.1 in
Passenger quantity: 155 ft3
Cargo quantity: 21 ft3
Curb weight (C/D est): 4300–4750 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 7.1–7.8 sec
¼-mile: 15.5–16.0 sec
High velocity: 115 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Mixed/metropolis/freeway: 18–22/16–21/22–24 mpg