Volkswagen is the kind of automaker that charges an arm and a leg for the most basic of things. But rather surprisingly, the all-new Baseline styling kit for the Atlas Cross Sport is relatively affordable. You’ll have to spend $2,774 for the full package, or quite a bit less for individual parts like the $645 rugged-looking flares and $769 for the skid plates.
Other individually available parts include a front valance panel ($680) and a rear valance panel ($680). These parts were introduced to the Atlas back in 2020. Speaking of which, the full kit for the family-sized crossover is available to purchase at $2,650 rather than $2,774 for the two-row version.
The Basecamp accessory line can trace its roots back to the Atlas Basecamp trail-ready concept from the 2019 New York International Auto Show. The Basecamp kit includes textured black and satin silver finishes, as well as trailer hitch access for the rear valance. Front quarter panel badges are included with the full kit, but alas, this kit isn’t compatible with Peak Edition and R-Line variants.
Further still, you can spruce up either sibling with fifteen52 Traverse MX wheels at $315 for every corner. The 17-inch wheels are produced for Volkswagen Group of America specifically, and the alloys in question come in two flavors: graphite or silver. Customers who intend on changing the standard wheels for the fifteen52s are recommended to purchase a set of 245/70 R17 all-terrain rubber.
Photo: Volkswagen
Refreshed in February 2023 for the 2024 model year, the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport soldier on as the German brand’s largest utility vehicles in the United States market. Previously to the Atlas line, Volkswagen used to sell the Touareg in this part of the world as well. Twinned with the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga, and Lamborghini Urus, the Touareg currently retails at 69,200 euros back in Germany, meaning an eye-watering 72,985 dollars at current exchange rates.
By comparison, the front-biased Atlas Cross Sport and roomier Atlas are listed by the online configurator at $36,715 and $37,725 (excluding the $1,350 destination freight charge). A tremendous difference compared to the Touareg, but then again, remember that both Atlases are based on the Golf’s MQB platform instead of the more expensive MLB that further underpins the A8 and Q8 e-tron.
From the standpoint of design, it’s fairly easy to tell the mid-cycle refresh apart from the pre-facelift design. The biggest change for 2024, however, comes in the form of a four-cylinder turbo with more oomph than before. It’s the only powerplant available, with Volkswagen discontinuing the good ol’ naturally-aspirated VR6 from the American and Canadian markets.
Over in China, the 2.5-liter EA390 can be found under the hoods of the locally-produced Teramont, Teramont X, Talagon, Tavendor, and Audi Q6. The 2.5-liter EA390 is exclusive to the Chinese market. For some reason or another, the plastic engine cover reads V6 even though the VR6 is a different animal due to its 10.6° angle between the cylinder banks.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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