VW Atlas base price will start near $30,000

Volkswagen's Atlas is coming to American showrooms this May. And when it arrives, the price will start at $30,000, according to VW North American CEO Hinrich Woebcken. A loaded, all-wheel-drive V6 model will cost around $48,000.

Speaking to journalists at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, Woebcken said, "In the past VW used to charge a premium compared to the competition. To that end the Atlas sits between the Chevy Traverse and Ford Explorer in terms of entry-level pricing."

Woebcken also went on to say that the Atlas embodies VW's history of smart packaging. The third-row entry and comfort are best-in-class. "Large adults can sit and ride in comfort," he said. Another best-in-class claim is forward visibility, due to thin A-pillars made of high-strength steel.

The Atlas arrives in dealership this May, and is the brand's first three-row SUV. It's part of a plan, along with the new Tiguan, to shift VW's showroom more in line with American buying habits. Right now, VW sells about 12 percent of its volume in the form of SUVs. For fans of the old Tiguan, it will stick around and slot below the new Tiguan, which is larger and slightly more expensive than the previous model.

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