It’s been nearly five years since Volkswagen were active in the US with a car that could accommodate more than five people. That project was the Volkswagen Routan, and its US lifespan stretched from 2009 to 2014. But, the Routan was outdated and failed to generate any traction in the market.
Now they’re venturing back, with a three-row SUV dubbed as the Volkswagen Atlas. It’s solely aimed at the interests of American consumers, which is why the Atlas boasts of a ton of space, plenty of safety and features geared towards families. It ticks a number of boxes, so the new Atlas should go down well.
Considering the Atlas is essentially a family SUV targeting an American market, the styling isn’t going to blow you away. It’s quite bland and if you’re looking for something that will allow you to stand out, this may not be the car for you. The grille retains a sense of simplicity, while the wide headlights provide a more imposing appearance. Smooth lines are in abundance and are only broken up by elegant fender flares on the sides.
VW have been clever about their business and have provided the Atlas with masculine appeal which SUV consumers’ desire, but have done so achieve as much space inside as possible. That’s two boxes ticked with some intricate design ideas.
As you’d expect with an SUV, there’s a high-degree of functionality and comfort streaming throughout the interior. The second row moves elegantly, and creates a perfect amount of leg room for those positioned in the third row. In fact, it’s one of the only SUVs on the market that can accommodate full-sized adults in the third row with ease. Plus, if the third row is free, second row passengers can slide all the way back for extra comfort.
USB charging ports, 17 cup holders and 3 LATCH anchors for child car seats are also included. When you fold down the second and third row seats, the Atlas provides a mammoth 96.8 cubic-feet worth of cargo space. Crazy, huh?
Now, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine the Atlas is far from a supercar. But, if you upgrade to the SEL Premium variant, you’ll receive a 3.6-liter VR6 engine under the hood, which generates 276-BHP and 266 pound-feet of torque. Alongside that, you’ll get peak torque which kicks in early at just 2,750 so you can really feel the pull of the car. The power is pushed through an 8-speed automatic gearbox which works effortlessly.
The ride is extremely smooth, too; with excellent suspension and massive tires, even the worst road conditions will feel like the red carpet. Although, due to the weight of the vehicle, heading into corners at speed is not a bright idea, since it does experience some substantial body roll. If you’re someone that needs towing capabilities, the Atlas can pull 5,000-LBS maximum.
Safety is an area where VW did pay some special attention to, considering it’s what consumers are searching for. With innovative passive and active safety features, including blind sport monitoring, forward collision warning, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alerts, you’ll be in safe hands. The only downside is, most of them are optional extras which require purchasing.
On to the all-important question; how much does it cost? Well, the base price is $30,750, which is quite competitive for its class. If you want to go all-out and kit it out with all the fancy extras, important safety features, enhanced trims and more power, you could be looking in excess of $50,000. It’s worth noting that you do get plenty of bang for your buck, though.
So, if you’re on the prowl for an awesome three-row SUV that likes to blend into its surroundings, check out the new VW Atlas!
Tags: Volkswagen, Volkswagen Routan, New Model, Reviews, SUV