MAP OF THE FUTURE
Volkswagen looks to reinvent its image with the new Atlas SUV
AMERICANS can’t get enough of sport utility vehicles and the Volkswagen Atlas offers up a new option for families looking for plenty of cargo space.
Volkswagen’s seven-seater competes with the likes of the Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Mazda CX9, Nissan Pathfinder, and the just-redesigned Hyundai Santa Fe. Although it’s a midsize SUV, the Atlas offers more room than nearly all competitors.
Yet not long ago, it looked to be all doom and gloom for Volkswagen when the company admitted in 2015 to using cheating devices in its diesel vehicles to pass emissions tests. As “Dieselgate” unfolded, some predicted that the automaker and its parent company, Volkswagen Group (which counts Audi and Porsche among its brands) would be “crippled” and “decimated.”
Indeed, the company has taken a huge hit, paying out around $30 billion in fines, retrofits and legal costs. At the same time, Volkswagen has gotten down to business, and the new Atlas is a key part of VW’s comeback strategy.
Made at Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Atlas offers a traditional upright SUV stance with styling that’s on the conservative side.
Two engines are offered — both gasoline. For occasional cargo hauling and shuttling duties, the base model’s 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder with a modest 235 horsepower is adequate, with a price starting at $30,750.
Those who will make frequent use of the Atlas’ three rows, or who regularly tackle steep terrain, will want the 276 horsepower, 3.6-liter V6, priced from $32,150. All-wheeldrive, known in Volkswagen-speak as 4Motion, is only available with the V6. Fuel economy ranges from 22/26/24 city/highway/combined mpg for the base engine to 17/23/19 mpg for the V6 all-wheel-drive.
Out west in Lake Tahoe where spring snowfall has rivaled that on the East Coast, we spent some time driving the top-of-theline, V6-powered Atlas SEL Premium with 4Motion ($49,415).
Seating is comfortable throughout, and even those who drew the short straws and climbed into the third row praised the Atlas’ rear legroom. There’s enough luggage room for a few suitcases, and when the third row is folded down, the Atlas offers 55.5 cubic feet of space. Up in front, a brightly lit touch screen is easy to read, and the user-friendly interface features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
However, going though the mountains, the engine and the 8-speed automatic transmission felt — and sounded — like it was working hard. Kicking the transmission over into sport mode helps.
Otherwise, the ride is smooth and quiet, and for a larger SUV, the Atlas handles tight curvy roads just fine. When ice and slush appeared, we switched over to snow mode, where it worked in tandem with the Atlas’s all-wheel-drive system.
Part of the Atlas’ appeal lies in its high safety ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2018 Atlas a top safety pick and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the all-wheel-drive Atlas a perfect five-star overall rating.
A suite of advanced safety features is standard on the SEL model, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitor with rear traffic alert, and forward collision warning which will stop the car automatically if the system detects a stopped car or a pedestrian in its path. Every Volkswagen Atlas also comes with a six-year, 72,000-mile warranty, coverage surpassed only by Hyundai.
So far, Volkswagen’s efforts are paying off. In 2017 sales were up 5 percent for the brand, even in a relatively flat market. As for diesel, Volkswagen executives have recently said it will experience a “renaissance” in European markets. But when asked if diesel will come back to the US, one Volkswagen spokesperson replied, simply: “No.” Instead, the company will focus on electric offerings, which should hit the market in the next few years.