Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Medium SUV
Production years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
The VW Atlas is a midsize three-row SUV, a very good choice for growing families. Due to its sporty tapering rear roofline, it gives the impression of an even smaller SUV, which you`ll see it is not.
For 2019, the model is available in five trim levels: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line. Compared to the regular Atlas, the new SUV-coupe features a more dramatic design than its bigger brother, and also gets a new three-bar engine grille, a new light signature that extends the width of the middle bar like on VW sportier models, a more aggressive front bumper, and different engine hood.
The exterior is sporty, and the high-quality design reflects the interior. A well-built height with wide squared-off doors makes climbing in and out effortlessly. Once inside, you'll be impressed by the roomy interior. When it comes to dimensions, the Honda Passport and Cross Sport are comparable, but the Atlas feels roomier despite its slightly coupe-like rear roofline.
Plenty of seats and steering-wheel adjustment range suited for any driving position. The outward view is expansive all around. The big side mirrors are good for giving you a clear view back. The rear window is smaller than the one in the regular Atlas, but this will not create any problems for rear visibility.
For a midsize SUV, we are interested in storage space also. The good news is cargo space behind the rear seats is a generous 40.3 cubic feet, very close to Honda Passport's 41.2 cubic feet. But it lacks any helpful means for securing bags or cargo, so this wide and flat area can end up being a roller coaster for your groceries.
The cargo liftover height is also high. The 60/40 split folding seats lie mostly flat. The seatback releases are only accessible from the rear seating area, not the cargo area.
The car is available with two powertrains, both being optionally paired with either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. The Cross Sport is equipped with V6 with 276 horsepower and an entry-level turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 horsepower.
The all-wheel-drive Atlas Cross Sport gets 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is thirstier than most V6 competitors. If you get a turbocharged four-cylinder in the Atlas, its fuel economy is also subpar relative to rivals.
Is it worth it? The Atlas Cross Sport is also a bit more expensive than many of its rivals. The Hyundai Santa Fe and Subaru Outback offer more features with their upgraded engines for the same price as the Cross Sport.
Quality materials could be better, but VW has some extra points by providing two years/20,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, which most manufacturers in this class don't offer. The warranty is satisfying enough giving you four years/50,000 miles for both basic and powertrain coverage.
Compared to the overstyled Chevrolet Blazer, it's a good choice. It is not the most fun to drive, but it handles and sticks to the road better than anything in the class.
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 4MOTION 8AT AWD (235 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1984 cm3 |
Power: | 172.8 KW @ 4500 RPM 235 HP @ 4500 RPM 232 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 258 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM 350 Nm @ 1600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18.6 gallons (70.4 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 245/60 R18 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 195.5 in (4966 mm) |
Width: | 78.4 in (1991 mm) |
Height: | 67.8 in (1722 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 67/67.6 in (1,702/1,717 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 117.3 in (2979 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8 in (203 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 40.3 cuFT (1141 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle (curb to curb): | 40.5 ft (12.3 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 9453 lbs (4288 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 12491 lbs (5666 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 23 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 20 mpg US (11.8 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 8AT (235 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1984 cm3 |
Power: | 172.8 KW @ 4500 RPM 235 HP @ 4500 RPM 232 BHP @ 4500 RPM |
Torque: | 258 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM 350 Nm @ 1600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18.6 gallons (70.4 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 245/60 R18 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 195.5 in (4966 mm) |
Width: | 78.4 in (1991 mm) |
Height: | 67.8 in (1722 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 67/67.6 in (1,702/1,717 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 117.3 in (2979 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8 in (203 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 40.3 cuFT (1141 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle (curb to curb): | 40.5 ft (12.3 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 9046 lbs (4103 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 12053 lbs (5467 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 21 mpg US (11.2 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.6L V6 4MOTION 8AT AWD (276 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3597 cm3 |
Power: | 203 KW @ 6200 RPM 276 HP @ 6200 RPM 272 BHP @ 6200 RPM |
Torque: | 266 lb-ft @ 2750 RPM 361 Nm @ 2750 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18.6 gallons (70.4 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/50 R20 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 198 in (5029 mm) |
Width: | 78.3 in (1989 mm) |
Height: | 69.8 in (1773 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 67.2/67.8 in (1,707/1,722 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 117.3 in (2979 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8 in (203 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 1.4 cuFT (40 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle (curb to curb): | 40.5 ft (12.3 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 9725 lbs (4411 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 12831 lbs (5820 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 16 mpg US (14.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 22 mpg US (10.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 19 mpg US (12.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 3.6L V6 8AT (276 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 3597 cm3 |
Power: | 203 KW @ 6200 RPM 276 HP @ 6200 RPM 272 BHP @ 6200 RPM |
Torque: | 266 lb-ft @ 2750 RPM 361 Nm @ 2750 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 18.6 gallons (70.4 L) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 255/50 R20 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 198 in (5029 mm) |
Width: | 78.3 in (1989 mm) |
Height: | 69.8 in (1773 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 67.2/67.8 in (1,707/1,722 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 117.3 in (2979 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8 in (203 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 1.4 cuFT (40 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
Turning circle (curb to curb): | 40.5 ft (12.3 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 9317 lbs (4226 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 12346 lbs (5600 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 17 mpg US (13.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 23 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 19 mpg US (12.4 L/100Km) |