The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Is a German Family SUV That Feels American

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With over 80,000 units sold last year, the #VolkswagenAtlas has been a huge hit for @volkswagen_usa since it was introduced about 3 years ago. To keep the momentum going, #Volkswagen is making small changes to the #Atlas for 2021, adding the new fascia from the #AtlasCrossSport and making key changes to the interior to make it feel more modern. It still offers one of the largest interiors in the segment just don't expect the Atlas to drive like a bigger version of your GTI.

[ostadfiha]

StraightPipes : Visor test
Doug Demuro : quirks & features
Redline Reviews : door sound
Scotty Kilmer : Toyota celica '94
Hotel : Trivago!

[TashaLynn]

I drove this as a rental and I LOVED it!!!!

[bobbybombo]

I am on my second Atlas. Traded my 2018 in for 2021. Family of 5. This car does not only meets our travel needs but it actually really is a good car.

[MountainLife]

This trim level and quality reminds me of every rental car ever.

[ICARUS_I]

“You have plenty of room for all their crap”. Classic Sofyan 😂

[AaronVWard]

We’ve had our 2019 Atlas SEL FWD since Dec of 18 and the wife and I still love it. Especially with 3 kids. I average 25-26mpg on trips. It has plenty of power to pass and move when I need it to. I enjoy the V6 sound as well. Nice and slightly aggressive.

[BullFrog]

I'll be honest I got 2018 Volkswagen Atlas for three years now and I absolutely love it this is the best 3 row SUV I ever driven that's design is definitely best if it comes to family vehicle. I'm not sure why do you guys claim that this car feels heavy and big..? My first impression when I first test to draw this car was that I'm driving a regular small car I was really surprised positively of course. And I feel the same up to this day. Build quality is very good also interior quality in my opinion is very good there's nothing to complain about unless you are extremely picky. I like the simplicity the inside design.

[dkdkrmfjr]

I rented fully loaded Atlas for 5 hours to get my Telluride from the dealership and I liked the ride. But after driving the Telluride, I would say Atlas has been out matched. Overall interior feelings, ride quality, and supervisor Lane keep assist was just so much better than Atlas. I'm glad I bought Telluride.

[yes]

I am so glad we have an toureag in Europe

[bmitchq]

Sofyan's face at that 18:42 mark while flooring it was epic!!! 😂😂😂 I don't think he could've looked any more unenthused!! 😂

I'm happy to see Redline go back to the original format though (exterior, interior, test drive). I appreciate how he tried to switch it up but this really is the best format.

[Noah-uiiu]

Hate how they got rid of the LED front turn signals.

[bradschertz]

Love the Atlas! We have a 2019 SE with tech package and 4 motion and it's been great. No problems or issues and we couldn't be happier with our decision. Great review!

[alef]

You can tell Sofyan hated this suv lmao. Now go watch his Honda Passport review and you see a smile on his face. So easy to tell when he’s not digging the ride. Great review as always, sofyan!

[gp]

Like how the refreshed model looks, but the interior overall seems bland to me, especially compared to the Palisade or Telluride.

[DoctorSkillz]

2011 called. They want their interior back.

[stephenhendricks]

If VW has learned any single lesson over the last decade (other than not to cheat on diesel emissions. Nor even try to sell tem) it's that American consumers shopping for mainstream vehicles want bigger, less expensive vehicles than their European counterparts. Thus the excellent Eurospec Passat was replaced by the larger, cheaper American version. The base Golf has been discontinued in the US for the foreseeable future and has been replaced by the current generation Jetta, a larger sedan that isn't even sold in Germany. The first generation Tiguan was dropped in favor of the larger, less expensive American Tiguan that's sold alongside the original Tiguan in Europe, known in most markets as the "All Space" and considered to be a "midsize" SUV. The extremely capable but very expensive, slow selling Touareg was replaced in the US by the much larger, less expensive Atlas built in Tennessee and like the Jetta, not even offered in Europe. Finally, when VW opted to add a two row midsize SUV they made the Cross Sport larger than virtually all its rivals. At 195.5" in length, it's longer than the three row Toyota Highlander. The result is that the only American VW's left that resemble their European counterparts are the GTI, the Golf R, and the Arteon.

As far as the Atlas is concerned VW gave Americans what they appear to want; a BIG midsize three row crossover. At 198.3" in length the only rivals that are larger are the bus-like Chevy Traverse, the Dodge Durango, and (by a fraction of an inch) the incredibly inefficiently packaged Mazda CX-9. And for those who need/want to carry six or seven passengers on a frequent basis or on extended trips, the Atlas makes its case. Even the third row, unlike most rivals, can accommodate two larger than average size adults and unlike some others, lookin' at your Highlander, VW doesn't make the ridiculous claim that the third row can accommodate three passengers who aren't bound and gagged.

The 20.5" cubic ft of rear cargo space doesn't match a minivan, of course, but it comes close to the Telluride (21 cf) and the Traverse (23 cf), the largest in the segment. Fold the rear seat and the cargo space is a huge 55.5 cubic feet. Fold the second row down and the 96.8 cubic ft could hold a couple's luggage and gear for a month without a trip to a laundry. Be more careful with the items carried and a couple could sleep in the Atlas.

As far as engine/drivetrain offers are concerned, the narrow angle V6 is a time-tested, reliable mill. I remain somewhat skeptical about a 2.0L 4 banger in such a big vehicle. But the base EA888 turbo engine in the Atlas is a remarkable motor that matches the performance of the V6. Whether it matches the V6's durability is another question but considering the Atlas' mission as a people moving cruiser it's likely to meet those requirements. As far as "driveability" is concerned the Atlas is no canyon carver but even those who drive GTI's shouldn't expect it to be.

Minimalist design and cost cutting are apparent in the interior, especially in the mid-trim version Sofyan tested. It's not surprising given that VW is especially protective of the value proposition offered by the more expensive (and more profitable) Audi brand. And even more important for 2021, VW obviously understands that keeping the top trim (SEL) MSRP within shouting distance of the Telluride and Palisade is essential. With the likely dealer discount on the Atlas compared to the Telluride and the on-going availability issues of the latter vehicle there's a sale opportunity for many VW dealers and consumers.

[greenshield]

I was about to buy the highlander and had driven all the big names in the 3 row crossovers. I driven the 20 Atlas a month ago and drove the 21 yesterday. Night and day difference. I went home with an SEL Premium out the door for 46k.

[viasevenvai]

I wanted to comment on how I don't like the Atlas that I own but after reading the comments I don't feel they are correct at all. The interior plastic is what you get at that price point, and it doesn't rattle much if at all on my 2018. It isn't getting dried out. The thing I don't like about it is that it gets a CEL for a o2 sensor not being ready or something. Overall it's a great SUV for the price. You have to realize it's about 4 times as big as a GTI and costs the same (30k), oh wait, no mine is 4WD with a V6 and costs the same as a GTI, so, not sure how you can complain.

[christiancanales]

Glad you described the headlight/fog light system. I was looking at them online and saw models with fog lamps.. I was thinking it sure doesn't look like it has fog lights because I was still used to the older front fascia. This makes more sense now.

[mightywombat]

It seems like just yesterday this thing was introduced and now it’s already getting a refresh