If you\u2019ve recently driven a VW, you\u2019ve driven the 2027 Atlas<\/h2>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/VW-Atlas-front-side-1-1024x579.jpg\")
Credit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nVolkswagen may be the most consistent car company in the world these days. If you\u2019re wondering what I mean by that, you could blindfold someone and stick them in the front seat of an Atlas, or a Tiguan, or possibly a Taos and the driving experience will feel exactly the same. The acceleration, the handling, the lot.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s not bad either. With 282 horsepower the Atlas can go when it needs to, despite the relatively small two-liter inline four under the hood. The gearbox seems to shift smoothly most of the time (though it will \u201cclunk\u201d pretty heavily into drive from a standing start occasionally.\u201d The brakes are effective, there\u2019s a good amount of safety tech on board, and while the \u201cself driving\u201d software is far from world leading it is enough to take a load off on a longer road trip. Yes, you need to keep your hands on the wheel, but it will handle pretty much everything else. If you have a medical emergency, it will take total control and safely park the vehicle on the side of the road before contacting emergency services.<\/p>\n
In terms of fuel economy, the Atlas gets a very respectable 25 MPG. It\u2019s solid for an ICE-only three-row SUV.<\/p>\n
The interior quality is superb for the price<\/h2>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/VW-Atlas-interior-1-1024x579.jpg\")
Credit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Atlas, like pretty much every other modern Volkswagen, has a wonderful interior. There\u2019s a refreshing amount of wood, which you don\u2019t always see in vehicles with a starting MSRP just north of $40,000. While the seats are artificial leather in all but the top two trims, the upholstery seems to be of good quality. The ambient lighting system, which is of course customizable, adds a wonderful touch of flair to the whole thing too.<\/p>\n
If I have to nitpick, Volkswagen\u2019s apparent hatred of physical buttons is the biggest issue with the interior. While some HVAC controls like temperature can be adjusted while tapping on the central screen\u2019s frame, the only actual button is for the hazard lights. Dedicated buttons for the vehicle\u2019s cameras along with front and rear window de-misters would be a huge improvement.<\/p>\n![\"Side](\"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/VW-Atlas-side-1-1024x579.jpg\")
Credit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile I have praised the driving experience, most vehicles drive pretty well these days. I\u2019m in a different new vehicle every week, and it\u2019s rare I\u2019m behind the wheel of something genuinely awful. So cabin quality is an area where OEMs have a chance to stand out in 2026. Plus, from a consumer perspective, people spend a lot of time in their cars. Commutes, school runs, road trips, you\u2019re likely to spend hundreds if not thousands of hours in that vehicle\u2019s cabin. So you should really pick something genuinely pleasant to sit in. The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas passes that test.<\/p>\n
The new Atlas comes with an infotainment upgrade<\/h2>\n![\"Airconsole](\"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/VW-Atlas-infotainment-1-1024x579.jpg\")
Credit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAudio in the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas comes courtesy of Harman-Kardon with a nine speaker system fitted to the base model, and a premium 14-speaker system inside the top trim. The speaker system ties in with VW\u2019s \u201catmospheres\u201d feature. You select a mood on the \u201cDriver Experience Dial\u201d and the vehicle adjusts both the lighting and the audio settings to match it.<\/p>\n
You can adjust the audio settings yourself too, if you have a particular preference in mind. It\u2019s also possible to adjust the focus of the audio, so if whoever is in the second row would like things a little quieter but the folks in the front want to blast something, you only need to adjust a slider to keep everyone happy.
\nWhile the base model comes with a 12.9 inch central display, the \u201cSE w\/Tech\u201d trim (the next one up) increases that display size to 15 inches.<\/p>\n
AirConsole games now feature in the vehicle. The games include classics like Tetris, PAC-Man, Asteroids, and Breakout. Many more are also available for download via the AirConsole store. Many games are multiplayer, with smartphones taking the place of controllers.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a family focus with the Atlas<\/h2>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/VW-Atlas-trunk-1-1024x579.jpg\")
Credit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDuring the first drive, Volkswagen packed out an Atlas with various objects a small family may cart around at any given time. This included a diaper bag, two child seats, some sports equipment, and various snacks. The Atlas took it all pretty comfortably. Behind the third row, there\u2019s a shade over 21 cubic feet of space. With the third row down, which may be the default configuration for many people, you have just shy of 60 cubic feet available. If you\u2019re happy to sacrifice the second row, you\u2019ll have a generous 95.4 cubic feet of cargo space available.<\/p>\n
What the Atlas can\u2019t do is make fitting baby seats any easier. They do have ISOFIX attachments on the second row, but as always you need a mom of some kind to decipher the hieroglyphics stamped onto the side of said seat and actually fit it in there properly. It\u2019s just an SUV, not a miracle on wheels. If you can crack the child seat code, you’ll be pleased to know you can fit three side by side in the Atlas’ second row. Which makes the Atlas a top choice for anyone with triplets (or three very young children).<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/VW-Atlas-front-34-1-1024x579.jpg\")
Credit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOddly enough, the family focus on the Atlas got me thinking about options. You can pay $695 extra for captain\u2019s chairs, but that drops the capacity from seven to six. And the center seat on the second row is pretty generous. The third row itself is also big enough to cram an adult into. Which is impressive considering how compact the Atlas looks on the outside, and the amount of trunk space it offers with all three rows up. A fully grown man won\u2019t be comfortable back there for an extended trip, but it\u2019s the sort of space you could survive 20 to 30 minutes in without issue.<\/p>\n
Should you buy the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas<\/h2>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.autonocion.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2027-VW-Atlas-rear-1-1024x579.jpg\")
Credit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere\u2019s a lot of competition in the Atlas\u2019 price bracket. But at the end of the day the interior is beautiful, the massage seats work well, the fuel economy is respectable, and the price is right. The one thing that may hold it back is the lack of a hybrid option, though hybrids have their own issues in the shape of an expensive battery replacement somewhere down the line.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s tough to recommend the Atlas ahead of something like a Palisade or Telluride (even though the latter has increased in price this year) I can say this without issue. The Ford Explorer is the best selling vehicle in this segment and I have absolutely no idea why someone would pick an Explorer over the Volkswagen Atlas. Aside from the Explorer likely winning in a 0-60 sprint, Volkswagen beat Ford in pretty much every department when it comes to three-row SUVs. And while Ford is an \u201cAmerican\u201d company, the Atlas is very much assembled by US workers in the US.<\/p>\n
If you have a budding family and need a three-row SUV, take one of these for a test drive.<\/p>\n
The 2027 VW Atlas starts at just $41,610. The top level trim comes in at $56,610, with the extra money getting you all-wheel drive, enhanced massage seats, a nappa leather interior, 21-inch wheels, \u201cpark assist plus\u201d and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The mid-range three-row SUV segment may be the most competitive class of vehicles in the US right now. Companies are … <\/p>\n
Volkswagen may be the most consistent car company in the world these days. If you\u2019re wondering what I mean by that, you could blindfold someone and stick them in the front seat of an Atlas, or a Tiguan, or possibly a Taos and the driving experience will feel exactly the same. The acceleration, the handling, the lot.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s not bad either. With 282 horsepower the Atlas can go when it needs to, despite the relatively small two-liter inline four under the hood. The gearbox seems to shift smoothly most of the time (though it will \u201cclunk\u201d pretty heavily into drive from a standing start occasionally.\u201d The brakes are effective, there\u2019s a good amount of safety tech on board, and while the \u201cself driving\u201d software is far from world leading it is enough to take a load off on a longer road trip. Yes, you need to keep your hands on the wheel, but it will handle pretty much everything else. If you have a medical emergency, it will take total control and safely park the vehicle on the side of the road before contacting emergency services.<\/p>\n
In terms of fuel economy, the Atlas gets a very respectable 25 MPG. It\u2019s solid for an ICE-only three-row SUV.<\/p>\n
The interior quality is superb for the price<\/h2>\nCredit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Atlas, like pretty much every other modern Volkswagen, has a wonderful interior. There\u2019s a refreshing amount of wood, which you don\u2019t always see in vehicles with a starting MSRP just north of $40,000. While the seats are artificial leather in all but the top two trims, the upholstery seems to be of good quality. The ambient lighting system, which is of course customizable, adds a wonderful touch of flair to the whole thing too.<\/p>\n
If I have to nitpick, Volkswagen\u2019s apparent hatred of physical buttons is the biggest issue with the interior. While some HVAC controls like temperature can be adjusted while tapping on the central screen\u2019s frame, the only actual button is for the hazard lights. Dedicated buttons for the vehicle\u2019s cameras along with front and rear window de-misters would be a huge improvement.<\/p>\nCredit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhile I have praised the driving experience, most vehicles drive pretty well these days. I\u2019m in a different new vehicle every week, and it\u2019s rare I\u2019m behind the wheel of something genuinely awful. So cabin quality is an area where OEMs have a chance to stand out in 2026. Plus, from a consumer perspective, people spend a lot of time in their cars. Commutes, school runs, road trips, you\u2019re likely to spend hundreds if not thousands of hours in that vehicle\u2019s cabin. So you should really pick something genuinely pleasant to sit in. The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas passes that test.<\/p>\n
The new Atlas comes with an infotainment upgrade<\/h2>\nCredit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAudio in the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas comes courtesy of Harman-Kardon with a nine speaker system fitted to the base model, and a premium 14-speaker system inside the top trim. The speaker system ties in with VW\u2019s \u201catmospheres\u201d feature. You select a mood on the \u201cDriver Experience Dial\u201d and the vehicle adjusts both the lighting and the audio settings to match it.<\/p>\n
You can adjust the audio settings yourself too, if you have a particular preference in mind. It\u2019s also possible to adjust the focus of the audio, so if whoever is in the second row would like things a little quieter but the folks in the front want to blast something, you only need to adjust a slider to keep everyone happy.
\nWhile the base model comes with a 12.9 inch central display, the \u201cSE w\/Tech\u201d trim (the next one up) increases that display size to 15 inches.<\/p>\n
AirConsole games now feature in the vehicle. The games include classics like Tetris, PAC-Man, Asteroids, and Breakout. Many more are also available for download via the AirConsole store. Many games are multiplayer, with smartphones taking the place of controllers.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a family focus with the Atlas<\/h2>\nCredit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nDuring the first drive, Volkswagen packed out an Atlas with various objects a small family may cart around at any given time. This included a diaper bag, two child seats, some sports equipment, and various snacks. The Atlas took it all pretty comfortably. Behind the third row, there\u2019s a shade over 21 cubic feet of space. With the third row down, which may be the default configuration for many people, you have just shy of 60 cubic feet available. If you\u2019re happy to sacrifice the second row, you\u2019ll have a generous 95.4 cubic feet of cargo space available.<\/p>\n
What the Atlas can\u2019t do is make fitting baby seats any easier. They do have ISOFIX attachments on the second row, but as always you need a mom of some kind to decipher the hieroglyphics stamped onto the side of said seat and actually fit it in there properly. It\u2019s just an SUV, not a miracle on wheels. If you can crack the child seat code, you’ll be pleased to know you can fit three side by side in the Atlas’ second row. Which makes the Atlas a top choice for anyone with triplets (or three very young children).<\/p>\nCredit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nOddly enough, the family focus on the Atlas got me thinking about options. You can pay $695 extra for captain\u2019s chairs, but that drops the capacity from seven to six. And the center seat on the second row is pretty generous. The third row itself is also big enough to cram an adult into. Which is impressive considering how compact the Atlas looks on the outside, and the amount of trunk space it offers with all three rows up. A fully grown man won\u2019t be comfortable back there for an extended trip, but it\u2019s the sort of space you could survive 20 to 30 minutes in without issue.<\/p>\n
Should you buy the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas<\/h2>\nCredit: Dave McQuilling\/AutoNotion<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere\u2019s a lot of competition in the Atlas\u2019 price bracket. But at the end of the day the interior is beautiful, the massage seats work well, the fuel economy is respectable, and the price is right. The one thing that may hold it back is the lack of a hybrid option, though hybrids have their own issues in the shape of an expensive battery replacement somewhere down the line.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s tough to recommend the Atlas ahead of something like a Palisade or Telluride (even though the latter has increased in price this year) I can say this without issue. The Ford Explorer is the best selling vehicle in this segment and I have absolutely no idea why someone would pick an Explorer over the Volkswagen Atlas. Aside from the Explorer likely winning in a 0-60 sprint, Volkswagen beat Ford in pretty much every department when it comes to three-row SUVs. And while Ford is an \u201cAmerican\u201d company, the Atlas is very much assembled by US workers in the US.<\/p>\n
If you have a budding family and need a three-row SUV, take one of these for a test drive.<\/p>\n
The 2027 VW Atlas starts at just $41,610. The top level trim comes in at $56,610, with the extra money getting you all-wheel drive, enhanced massage seats, a nappa leather interior, 21-inch wheels, \u201cpark assist plus\u201d and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The mid-range three-row SUV segment may be the most competitive class of vehicles in the US right now. Companies are … <\/p>\n
The Atlas, like pretty much every other modern Volkswagen, has a wonderful interior. There\u2019s a refreshing amount of wood, which you don\u2019t always see in vehicles with a starting MSRP just north of $40,000. While the seats are artificial leather in all but the top two trims, the upholstery seems to be of good quality. The ambient lighting system, which is of course customizable, adds a wonderful touch of flair to the whole thing too.<\/p>\n
If I have to nitpick, Volkswagen\u2019s apparent hatred of physical buttons is the biggest issue with the interior. While some HVAC controls like temperature can be adjusted while tapping on the central screen\u2019s frame, the only actual button is for the hazard lights. Dedicated buttons for the vehicle\u2019s cameras along with front and rear window de-misters would be a huge improvement.<\/p>\n While I have praised the driving experience, most vehicles drive pretty well these days. I\u2019m in a different new vehicle every week, and it\u2019s rare I\u2019m behind the wheel of something genuinely awful. So cabin quality is an area where OEMs have a chance to stand out in 2026. Plus, from a consumer perspective, people spend a lot of time in their cars. Commutes, school runs, road trips, you\u2019re likely to spend hundreds if not thousands of hours in that vehicle\u2019s cabin. So you should really pick something genuinely pleasant to sit in. The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas passes that test.<\/p>\n Audio in the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas comes courtesy of Harman-Kardon with a nine speaker system fitted to the base model, and a premium 14-speaker system inside the top trim. The speaker system ties in with VW\u2019s \u201catmospheres\u201d feature. You select a mood on the \u201cDriver Experience Dial\u201d and the vehicle adjusts both the lighting and the audio settings to match it.<\/p>\n You can adjust the audio settings yourself too, if you have a particular preference in mind. It\u2019s also possible to adjust the focus of the audio, so if whoever is in the second row would like things a little quieter but the folks in the front want to blast something, you only need to adjust a slider to keep everyone happy. AirConsole games now feature in the vehicle. The games include classics like Tetris, PAC-Man, Asteroids, and Breakout. Many more are also available for download via the AirConsole store. Many games are multiplayer, with smartphones taking the place of controllers.<\/p>\n During the first drive, Volkswagen packed out an Atlas with various objects a small family may cart around at any given time. This included a diaper bag, two child seats, some sports equipment, and various snacks. The Atlas took it all pretty comfortably. Behind the third row, there\u2019s a shade over 21 cubic feet of space. With the third row down, which may be the default configuration for many people, you have just shy of 60 cubic feet available. If you\u2019re happy to sacrifice the second row, you\u2019ll have a generous 95.4 cubic feet of cargo space available.<\/p>\n What the Atlas can\u2019t do is make fitting baby seats any easier. They do have ISOFIX attachments on the second row, but as always you need a mom of some kind to decipher the hieroglyphics stamped onto the side of said seat and actually fit it in there properly. It\u2019s just an SUV, not a miracle on wheels. If you can crack the child seat code, you’ll be pleased to know you can fit three side by side in the Atlas’ second row. Which makes the Atlas a top choice for anyone with triplets (or three very young children).<\/p>\n Oddly enough, the family focus on the Atlas got me thinking about options. You can pay $695 extra for captain\u2019s chairs, but that drops the capacity from seven to six. And the center seat on the second row is pretty generous. The third row itself is also big enough to cram an adult into. Which is impressive considering how compact the Atlas looks on the outside, and the amount of trunk space it offers with all three rows up. A fully grown man won\u2019t be comfortable back there for an extended trip, but it\u2019s the sort of space you could survive 20 to 30 minutes in without issue.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot of competition in the Atlas\u2019 price bracket. But at the end of the day the interior is beautiful, the massage seats work well, the fuel economy is respectable, and the price is right. The one thing that may hold it back is the lack of a hybrid option, though hybrids have their own issues in the shape of an expensive battery replacement somewhere down the line.<\/p>\n While it\u2019s tough to recommend the Atlas ahead of something like a Palisade or Telluride (even though the latter has increased in price this year) I can say this without issue. The Ford Explorer is the best selling vehicle in this segment and I have absolutely no idea why someone would pick an Explorer over the Volkswagen Atlas. Aside from the Explorer likely winning in a 0-60 sprint, Volkswagen beat Ford in pretty much every department when it comes to three-row SUVs. And while Ford is an \u201cAmerican\u201d company, the Atlas is very much assembled by US workers in the US.<\/p>\n If you have a budding family and need a three-row SUV, take one of these for a test drive.<\/p>\n The 2027 VW Atlas starts at just $41,610. The top level trim comes in at $56,610, with the extra money getting you all-wheel drive, enhanced massage seats, a nappa leather interior, 21-inch wheels, \u201cpark assist plus\u201d and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The mid-range three-row SUV segment may be the most competitive class of vehicles in the US right now. Companies are … <\/p>\nThe new Atlas comes with an infotainment upgrade<\/h2>\n
\nWhile the base model comes with a 12.9 inch central display, the \u201cSE w\/Tech\u201d trim (the next one up) increases that display size to 15 inches.<\/p>\nThere\u2019s a family focus with the Atlas<\/h2>\n
Should you buy the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas<\/h2>\n