New 2018 Volkswagen Atlas crossover earns top scores in US, IIHS crash tests

rating.

The U.S. testing program determines ratings for front, side, and rollover crashes, and the scores are made public to give consumers more information about safety when they choose what vehicles to buy. Full test results and ratings for most new vehicles can be found at safercar.gov.

Atlas has a variety of active and passive safety features. Standard are six air bags (driver, passenger, driver and passenger side, and full-length side curtain), along with electronic safety systems such as electronic stability control with traction control, antilock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution with brake assist.

Volkswagen says the Atlas is the only vehicle in its class to offer Automatic Post-Collision Braking, standard on all models. This system applies the brakes when a primary collision is detected by the air-bag sensors, “thus helping reduce residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.”

Optional driver-assistance systems on the Atlas include Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist), Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), front and rear Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking (ParkPilot), Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist), High Beam Control (Light Assist) and Overhead View Camera (Area View).

The Atlas, which went on sale last summer, has a 2018.5 model starting price of $30,750 (plus $925 freight) for the base S front-wheeldrive model with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and $32,150 with a 3.6-liter V-6 and front drive.

They range as high as $48,740 for the SEL Premium version with all-wheel drive.

Prices for the special S Launch edition, offered only with the

V-6 engine, start at $33,750, and all-wheel-drive models at $35,550. This model has all of the S features, along with a panoramic sunroof, Homelink garage/gate opener, footwell lighting, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and satellite radio with a threemonth trial subscription.

Other trim levels include the SE four-cylinder with front drive ($33,590), a V-6 front-drive version ($35,240) and a V-6 all-wheel drive SE model ($37,040). Extras

Sales have begun on the all-new, 2018 Volkswagen Atlas three-row crossover utility vehicle. The full-size Atlas, with seating for up to seven, initially comes only with a normally aspirated 3.6-liter V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission.