2027 Volkswagen Atlas

By Billy Rehbock

Volkswagen’s SUV flagship wears a big name befitting its size. The three-row Atlas has entered its second generation for 2027, having first been introduced in 2018. The Atlas is based on the Teramont Pro, which has already made its debut for the Chinese market, using an evolved version of the MQB platform.

Rivals to the Volkswagen Atlas include other three-row SUVs including the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, and Honda Pilot.

What’s New

The second-generation Volkswagen Atlas arrives for the 2027 model year with fresh styling, a new interior, and a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Basics

• Rides on Volkswagen’s updated MQB Evo platform
• VW’s fifth-generation EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged engine making 282 hp
• Volkswagen Premium Speech generative AI-enabled voice assistance
• Updated IQ.Drive driver assistance suite

Exterior

• All-new exterior design
• New LED lighting signature with double light bars
• Fresh wheel designs
• New exterior colors: Blackberry, Sacramento Green, and Sandstone

Interior

• Redesigned interior with new layout and materials
• Standard 10-color ambient lighting and available 30-color ambient lighting
• Standard 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen and available 15.0-inch display
• Standard 10.3-inch Digital Cockpit Pro digital instrument cluster
• Dial to control volume, drive modes, and cosmetic “atmospheres”

What We Think

Past Atlases have been something of a mixed bag. The spacious three-row SUV makes for a family-friendly conveyance. We’re fond of the first generation’s upscale design, and performance from its standard 2.0-liter turbo isn’t too shabby, but you felt its size behind the wheel, its driving dynamics were lackluster, and its long brake pedal travel didn’t inspire confidence.

If VW can work the same magic it cast on the latest Tiguan, though, the Atlas stands to gain some ground with an evolved platform and renewed chassis tuning. The second-generation Atlas and the new Tiguan share the MQB Evo platform, so we can make some informed predictions about VW’s redesigned three-row SUV.

The Tiguan feels sporty, with a solid ride and planted handling. Its premium interior is stuffed with well-engineered digital features, as well. Volkswagen is expected to bring over a hybrid powertrain for our market’s Atlas, which should help improve the prior model’s merely decent fuel economy.

Beyond driving dynamics, Volkswagen has made other improvements to the new Atlas. It gets new MIB4 electrical architecture, which is updatable and supports VW’s IQ.Drive suite of standard driver assistance features. Inside the cabin, VW fits larger screens and dual standard Qi2 wireless charging pads.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas is due to arrive in fall 2026 with pricing that should stay similar to that of the prior-generation SUV. If VW can refine most aspects of the Atlas with this major overhaul, it’ll have a better chance against its competition.

Top-Ranked Competitors:

• Kia Telluride
• Honda Pilot
• Chevrolet Traverse
• Hyundai Palisade​

Performance

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas arrives with the fifth-generation version of the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The gas powerplant now puts out 282 hp and
258 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 13 hp and a decrease of 15 lb-ft.

Volkswagen equips the redesigned Atlas with an eight-speed automatic transmission, as it does with the Taos and Tiguan. The Atlas comes standard with FWD but can also be equipped with the latest version of Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

A hybrid version of the Atlas is confirmed but not currently offered. We know the hybrid Atlas will be a full HEV, not a PHEV, which should put Atlas performance at or near the head of the big three-row SUV class. Those interested in the Atlas hybrid will have to wait another year or two.

Safety Features

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas comes equipped with the latest generation of Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive driving assistance technology, which includes lane centering with driver-initiated lane changes and an automated safe pull-over feature if the car senses the driver has suffered a medical emergency.

There’s no hands-free mode for now. Expect the 2027 Atlas to come standard with the following features:

• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keeping
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic monitoring
• Automatic high-beams
• Parking sensors

Cargo Space and Interior Room

Based on what we’ve seen from international versions of Volkswagen’s three-row SUV, we expect the 2027 Atlas to arrive with larger dimensions than the model it replaces. The existing Volkswagen Atlas is already spacious, so the interior should be even more family-friendly than before.

Technology

Infotainment

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas ups the ante from the existing model’s 10.3-inch driver display and 12.0-inch infotainment display. The base Atlas uses a 12.9-inch touchscreen, while all other trims are outfitted with 15.0-inch displays.

Although there’s a large volume knob situated between the driver and passenger, capacitive touch climate controls make an appearance. Dual Qi2 wireless charging pads are standard, as are seven USB-C ports.

Sound System

Base audio comes in the form of a nine-speaker setup, an upgrade from the six-speaker system equipped in the entry-level version of the prior-generation Atlas. An upgraded Harman Kardon system brings the total speaker count up to 14 speakers.

Available Upgrades

Clicking the volume knob allows you to scroll through seven “atmosphere” choices and drive modes. Ten-color ambient lighting is standard, and 30 color choices are standard for the top two trims.

Value

Standard Features

The entry-level 2027 Volkswagen Atlas has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels. The three-row SUV rides on 18-inch wheels as standard equipment.

Inside the cabin, there’s a standard 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Volkswagen equips all Atlas models with a large knob that controls volume, drive modes, and the cosmetics of the displays and lighting.

Pricing

The current-generation Volkswagen Atlas begins just under $41,000, so we suspect the new model will stick pretty close to that price point. Pricing below $45,000 is a near certainty, but the starting price could creep up to approximately $43,000 if Volkswagen decides to make all 2027 Atlas SUVs standard with all-wheel drive. The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas arrives in fall 2026.

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