VW’s big wagon charts a new course for up to seven passengers and their gear
We’ve been lulled into complacency, at least when it comes to the price we pay for fuel. And the proof includes the growing numbers of new and remodeled mid- and full-size utility vehicles coming on stream.
Joining this burgeoning segment for the 2018 model year is Volkswagen’s Tennessee-built seven-passenger Atlas, which goes on sale in spring.
Just as the auto industry’s leaner and greener hybrids and electric vehicles struggle to hang on in times of relatively affordable fossil fuel, buyers are gobbling up bigger and far less efficient models to do their bidding, as if the cheap-gasoline party will continue forever.
The Atlas wagon is the first Volkswagen of its type to be manufactured and sold in North America. It joins other 2018 models of similar capacities, such as the redesigned Buick Enclave, the Lincoln Navigator, the Chevrolet Traverse and the new Subaru Ascent.
Compared to the five-seat Touareg wagon, the Atlas is about 9 inches longer, 2 inches wider and has more than 3 extra inches between the front and rear wheels. Even so, the Atlas weighs about 550 pounds less than the Touareg, when comparing models with similar powertrain configurations.
The Atlas actually appears much larger than the tape measure otherwise indicates. Perhaps that’s due to the wide and thin grille, the bulging fenders or the vehicle’s boxy shape (or a combination of all three). It comes off as more macho than most of the competition, which could be risky as such designs tend to be polarizing.
Among the Atlas’s endearing qualities is an abundance of space throughout all three rows of seats. The left and right halves of the split-folding second-row bench can be independently reclined by up to 14 degrees, and adjusted forward and back by nearly 8 inches, providing extra legroom when needed or easier access to the third row.
Cargo space is also fairly generous. The Honda Pilot has less, but the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse has more. A maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds is near the top of the class.
Atlas owners will also enjoy one of the most aesthetically pleasing dashboards to be found in any vehicle. It’s simple and straightforward, which wins out, every time.
Engine choices are derived from other VWs and begins with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Optional is a non-turbo 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and a torque rating of 266 pound-feet. Both powerplants drink regular gasoline, but the 2.0 requires premium for maximum performance. V6 fuel economy is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Turbo I-4 numbers are not yet available.
Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheeldrive can be added, but only to V6 models. The system directs 100 percent of engine power to the front wheels, but engages the rear axle when the front tires begin to slip.
Pricing for the base Atlas is $31,400, including destination fees. For more than just the basics, however, the SE has an upgraded interior (including a 10-way power driver’s seat) plus blindspot monitoring and rear traffic alert. An optional SE Technology Package includes a more comprehensive range of dynamic safety technology such as emergency braking and lane-departure assist.
The SEL rolls in with a panoramic sunroof and a power liftgate, while the top-tier SEL Premium includes navigation, leather-covered seats (heated for the first two rows) and a 12-speaker Fender-brand audio system.
A special R-Line sport-appearance package is among the available options, as are second-row high-back chairs that replace the bench.
Although it’s difficult to predict how the bold and brash Atlas will ultimately be received, it does provide a clear alternative in a class of similarly purposed models.