The following review is for a 2021 Model Year. There may be minor changes to current model you are looking at.

Introduction

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas may wear a German badge but its take on crossover SUVs is distinctly American: more space, more room, and more style is what's on offer here. 

After introducing the Cross Sport variant last year, Volkswagen has gone ahead with a slight facelift on the standard three-row Atlas in order to bring it in line with its two-row sibling. The new looks include a smoothed-out fascia, revised grille, and redesigned bumpers. This year marks the first time buyers are able to get all-wheel drive with the 4-cylinder model. 

About that 4-cylinder: it is a 2.0-liter turbo-4 making 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Skip the newly optional all-wheel drive and power is routed to the front wheels. 

The other option is a 276-hp 3.6-liter V-6. It too gets the 8-speed automatic and offers a choice between front- and all-wheel drive. Like the 4-cylinder, it is available with both the Atlas and the Atlas Cross Sport. 

When equipped with the turbo-4, the Atlas rates 20 mpg city, 24 highway, 22 combined with front-wheel drive or 18/23/20 mpg with all-wheel drive. Stepping up to the V-6 nets fuel economy of 17/23/19 mpg. Opting for all-wheel drive reduces that slightly to 16/22/18 mpg. These figures are identical for both Atlas body styles. 

Every Atlas is equipped with automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitors. Optional equipment includes adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and a surround-view camera system. The optional traffic-jam assistant can automatically steer, brake, and accelerate the Atlas at speeds slower than 35 mph, though drivers must continue to keep hold of the wheel. 

The NHTSA awarded the Atlas a five-star overall score for crashworthiness. The IIHS gave it their highest rating of 'Good'? across all their battery of crash tests. 

Lineup

The Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport share the same trim levels and similar standard equipment but differ slightly in price, with the Cross Sport being the slightly cheaper of the two. Both offer 4- and 6-cylinder engines with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. 

The cheapest Atlas is the base Cross Sport S, which starts at $31,565 after destination; the cheapest three-row Atlas S begins at $32,750. Standard features include cloth upholstery, a 6.5-inch touchscreen for infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone climate control, one USB port up front, 18-inch alloy wheels, and aforementioned active safety features. 

The SE is priced at $35,915 for Cross Sport models and $36,100 for the three-row Atlas. The SE brings about three extra USB ports, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, a 10-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, wireless charging, and synthetic leather upholstery. 

The SEL begins at $43,315 or $43,915 for Atlas Cross Sport or Atlas, respectively. SEL models get a panoramic roof, fully digital instrumentation, 20-inch wheels, navigation, a hands-free tailgate, and memory functions for the driver's seat and exterior mirrors. Active-safety features such as adaptive cruise control, active lane control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors are also standard at this price point. 

Walkaround

The Atlas has a blocky shape that doesn't immediately register with familiar ideas of Volkswagen. It is handsome but not daring, clean but not stylish. 

The Atlas Cross Sport isn't quite so intent to blend in. The two-row version keeps the same chunky lower body as its bigger brother but adopts a much racier roofline and trims the rear overhang. These are fairly simple tweaks but they go a long way in conveying a sense of swagger. 

Interior

VW built the Atlas to maximize usability and efficiency, and the interior followed that maxim as well. You won't find resplendent materials or clever and elegant design here; the cabin skews towards the basic with simple materials covering a practical and unfussy layout. The Atlas is about function, not form, to an extent that surpasses most other mass-market three-row crossovers. 

The lack of pizzazz doesn't diminish the practicality of the Atlas's interior, however. Big windows and a low-set dashboard provides an airy cabin and excellent outward vision. Controls are well-placed and quickly become second nature.The seats are comfortable and swathed in durable cloth or synthetic leather upholstery. 

VW carved plenty of space out of the cabin, so much so that the three-row Atlas is one of the roomiest options on the market by passenger volume. Third-row leg room measures in at a relatively massive 33.7 inches-a figure comparable to what's offered in the giant Chevrolet Suburban-and the second row offers an impressive 40.4 inches of leg room. Total cargo space is nearly 97 cubic feet, which makes the Atlas a front-runner among three-row crossovers. 

The Atlas Cross Sport sacrifices this roominess for style points. Besides axing the third row, the Cross Sport sees total cargo volume fall to 78 cubic feet. Behind the second row there is 40 cubic feet of luggage area, which is well below the 55.8 cubes found in the hatch of the three-row model. The second-row leg room doesn't change between Atlas models. 

Driving Impression

The Atlas doesn't have much trouble smothering bumps and imperfections on a straight road. The steering is perfectly suitable for the type of driving the Atlas will encounter. It's light and direct, and that makes it easy to direct the big Atlas through tight streets or parking lots. 

Both Atlas models provide a choice between turbo-4 or V-6 power. On the face of it, the 276-hp V-6 looks like the better choice, but from behind the wheel we found it hard to tell which engine was under the hood. The turbo-4 keeps the price point lower and doesn't feel significantly slower than the larger engine. Keep acceleration at a more moderate pace and it moves the two-ton Atlas around without much complaint. 

Both engines pair to an 8-speed automatic that shifts with a quiet, unobtrusive competence. All-wheel drive is optional with both engines; front-wheel drive is standard. Unless we were living in a snowy clime, we would avoid springing for the all-wheel drive. It costs an extra $1,900, adds weight, and doesn't do much for dry performance. 

Summary

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas isn't the most stylish or luxurious three-row crossover, but it is reasonably priced and incredibly spacious, two qualities that alone make this big VW well worth a look. We would choose an SE with the turbo-4 and front-wheel drive if our winter attire didn't include snow boots and parkas; those who are all too familiar with cold climates may do better with a V-6 and all-wheel drive. 

 

-by Anthony Sophinos, with driving impressions from The Car Connection.