2024 Volkswagen Atlas First Drive: More American for Americans
VW’s seven-seat SUV gets bigger and better inside as it leans into its role as the brand’s premium people mover.
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We're rolling down a rural New York state road in the new 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, spread out in the cockpit. There's room galore for your legs, head, stuff—you name it. Its snappy, snazzy instrument panel and infotainment screens are rich with features. The cabin looks premium, with soft-touch materials abound. VW's American-style SUV built by Americans in America for Americans has gone fully native.
You'll notice we haven't even touched on what it's propelled by or how it drives; let's be honest, in the class where it plays, big space, tech-forward features, and a premium interior and exterior feel for the price are far bigger selling points. That isn't to say it's terrible behind the wheel, in fact, it's improved there as well. But as the saying goes, the Atlas has it where it counts.
We haven't exactly been kind to the Atlas since it first launched here back in 2017. At the time, VW trumpeted that it had built an SUV specifically designed with American sensibilities in mind, and that it would assemble it here in the U.S. at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, plant for good measure.
Our main gripes to this point have centered around its lack of excitement behind the wheel and inefficient powertrains, all at a price that didn't net you enough for your money. But since its first refresh for the 2021 model year, we've also given the Atlas high marks for its spaciousness, third-row usability, and exterior style. With the 2024 Atlas (and its fastbacked Atlas Cross Sport two-row sibling), VW has accentuated those strengths while addressing its weak points. While the results are somewhat mixed, on balance it's a stronger package.
Two to One Powertrain Strategy
As for the powertrain, Volkswagen has taken a less-is-more approach by deep-sixing the outgoing model's 2.0-liter turbo-four and 3.6-liter VR6 six-cylinder and replacing both with one engine, VW's revamped "Evo4" 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder, a version of which is also under the hoods of other current models including the Golf R, GTI, and Arteon. Volkswagen calls the engine arguably the most advanced gas engine it's ever produced (and quite possibly the last). Rated at 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, it boasts 34 more horsepower and 15 more lb-ft of torque than the outgoing four. Though it's seven horses shy of the departing V-6, it has seven more lb-ft and spreads that twist over a broader rev range than did the six. And it does it all on regular unleaded.
While the updates inherent to the Evo4 engine are myriad and impressive, what most consumers are going to want to know is how efficient the 2024 Atlas is over the outgoing model. In short, it's markedly better in the mpg department than the V-6, but only marginally so when pitted against the old four, although of course you're getting a much more powerful and technologically advanced engine.
The good news is the new engine has little problem motivating the Atlas. (VW says the 0-60-mph time has improved by as much as 0.8 second over the V-6 model depending on spec.) It isn't wildly powerful, but get it in its sweet spot and it feels perky, with a high-pitched howl when you put the go pedal to the floorboard. As before, the engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which can take a beat to apportion the power when you ask it to get aggressive, but is otherwise more than fine in most any normal driving situation. Is this combo going to knock your socks off? No, but it's perfectly adequate for this SUV.
Driving the Atlas Around As One Does
Also adequate is how the new Atlas handles itself in a typical daily-driving situation. It hasn't exactly made a giant leap forward in that area, so our prior gripes aren't completely addressed. But this is where the enthusiast ends and the regular driver begins. At low speeds the steering is super light, which isn't a bad thing for maneuverability, and it firms up well enough at speed. There's a bit of a dead spot in the wheel, but this SUV tracks well and isn't something anyone other than someone playing a super sport driver would notice.
Make an aggressive move into a tight corner and the Atlas will lean a smidge, but it doesn't play dead and roll over. Those of you who were looking for the Atlas to be more of an off-road machine are going to continue to look, however. Despite the addition of a Peak Edition modelwith more rugged tires and an adventurous look, this isn't a trail-attacking SUV. On the flip side, Atlases can tow up to 5,000 pounds and VW's well-established 4Motion AWD is available across the lineup.
One of the stronger points of the Atlas dynamically is its brake pedal, which is firm on application and remains so as you press it harder. Another plus is its cabin isolation at speed, and over harsher pavement the Atlas does a solid job of soaking up the rough stuff and keeping those impacts from hammering on your spine or jiggling your midsection. In short, those who prioritize getting from point A to B aren't likely to complain much about how the Atlas handles an open road.
Cabin Kicked Up a Notch or Two
Look around inside the Atlas before you set off, and you'll see the bigger picture, literally. In the top-spec 2024 Atlas SEL Premium R-Line we drove (other trims are base SE, SE and Peak Edition with Tech, SEL and Peak Edition SEL), the spaciousness of the Atlas is enhanced by a massive panoramic roof. Standard and available features lacking in past Atlas models help amp up the premium feel, including a head-up display, leather upholstery and trim, heated and ventilated front row seats and heated second row seats, and 30-color interior ambient lighting, among others.
In the driver's line of sight is a new-to-the-Atlas 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit instrument panel, and a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display includes VW's latest suite of entertainment and technology features as standard across the board. (The interface and its touch controls have taken a hit from us in previous vehicles such as the iD4.) Up to eight USB-C ports are available depending on trim, as is a wireless charging pad. Underneath the center console is a huge stowage area made possible in part by the shift-by-wire gear selector. Other tech forward features include VW's Car-Net, which allows for remote access to the vehicle and a wireless hotspot, and its IQ.Drive driver assistance technologies.
Cargo Space and Exterior Face
The sense of space is magnified when you lower the fold-flat, 60/40-split second- and third-row seats to the tune of 96.6 cubic feet of cargo space. (Second-row captain's chairs are available.) Fold just the third row and you get 55.5 cubes to fill. With all seats up, there's a solid 20.6 cubic feet, too. If you want to get into the third row, folding up the second row seats is a snap, and ingress and egress is among the best in the segment. The middle row can move up by as much as 7.7 inches, potentially providing a wealth of legroom for back-row passengers. Six-foot-tall humans will fit just fine out back, and the seats themselves are well bolstered.
Styling has been an Atlas strong suit, and things have only gotten better. Generally speaking it strikes a traditional SUV look, but with sharp character lines along the flanks that lend presence. New LED light banks are further highlighted by an illuminated light bar that spans the width of the vehicle and is centered by an illuminated VW logo (the rear gets a similar treatment). A restyled four-bar chrome grille on most models (the Premium R-Line package gets a blacked-out look) stands out. Peak Editions are further differentiated with a couple of exclusive colors, Avocado Green and Pure Grey, and other trim pieces give it a more outdoorsy look. A redesigned range of wheel-and-tire setups are available depending on model, from 18 to 21 inches.
So How Much for the American Atlas?
So what does this improved, near-luxury American-born and -bred German SUV cost? Base SE models start at $39,075, while the SE with Tech, which VW says will be the sweet spot in the lineup, lists at $44,915. (VW also expects some 70 percent of buyers to opt for AWD.) It used to be we dinged VW for overpricing the Atlas, but considering what it's done to update and upgrade its three-row family hauler and where competitors such as the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, and Chevy Traverse now sticker at, we're thinking Americans with bigger space needs may start looking at the Atlas and its illuminated VW logo more closely.
One of my seminal memories was the few months I spent helping my cousin Steve literally build me from the frame up a super sick 1970 Chevy Nova in his garage just off of 8 Mile (yes, that 8 Mile). Black with white SS stripes. 350 V-8. Blackjack headers. Ladder bars. Four on the floor. Drum brakes all around. Mainly I helped hand him the wrenches, the bondo, the buffing wheel, the beer. When it was finally done and I blistered the tires for the first time, plumes of smoke filling up my rear view, I felt like a true American Bad Ass (pre Kid Rock). That's what it was like for so many of us who grew up in The D back in the day. It was about muscle. Detroit Iron. So when I had an opportunity to get into this crazy business, you best believe I leapt like a bionic cheetah at the chance. Over the past three decades or so (carbon dating myself), I've been honored and privileged to be a part of four outstanding publications in Motor Trend, Automobile, Autoweek, and the Detroit Free Press. And while the salad days back in my cousin's garage seem a million miles away, my love for cars -- and my hometown of Detroit -- have never wavered. Neither has my commitment to delivering the best possible experience to the readers I've served and will continue to serve now and in the future.
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