2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas three-row SUV debuted in 2018 and is still in its first generation having undergone a mid-cycle refresh last year. Thanks to restyled bumpers that came with the 2021 re-vamp, it stretches 200.7 inches long, which is a smidge more than the Ford Explorer (198.8 inches), but not quite as long as the Chevrolet Traverse (205.9 inches), which straddles the midsize and large SUV segments. Its no-nonsense interior is configured to deliver the most legroom in the third row (33.7 inches) and the largest cargo space with the rear seats up (20.6 cubic-feet). 

Volkswagen simplified the Atlas’ trim line for 2022, dropping the base S. Just six remain: SE, SE w/ Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black and SEL Premium R-Line. The standard engine is a front- or all-wheel-drive turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that delivers 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The SE w/ Technology trim and above can be equipped with a larger 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The SEL is AWD only on either choice of engine. The top three trims are AWD only and can only be powered by the V6. 

Both engines use a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system can be added to all trims and both engines.

All Atlases come with a second-row bench, which optimizes passenger space with seating for up to seven. Captain’s chairs in the second row are optional for all trims but the base SE; they drop seating to six but makes climbing in and out easier for adult and kids.

The Atlas provides the right mix of comfort and gusto to do exactly what the three-row SUV is meant to do: school drop off and pick up, carpool players and their equipment between sports fields, cart all the gear (and kids) to the beach and sufficiently handle Costco runs. Its spacious interior, cargo flexibility and available AWD also make it a winner for trips to the slopes.  Even if the nearest lift is 200 miles away, the Atlas delivers a confident and calm road trip demeanor with room for passengers to spread out, keep busy or snooze.

Performance: 12/15

Because the Atlas is relatively heavy and modestly powered with either of the two engine choices, acceleration takes a hit. The Atlas doesn’t accumulate speed in a hurry, mostly due to its weight, so it can feel sluggish when merging onto freeways. It has enough passing power but it’s not full steam ahead like a turbodiesel or zippy like a sport sedan. 

What the heavyweight Atlas lacks in acceleration, it makes up for in handling. Though bulky, the Atlas manages to balance a supple ride with sure-footed cornering and drama-free dynamics. Altlases configured with VW’s 4Motion AWD offer driving modes for extra stability on slippery surfaces, and an 8-inch ground clearance lends some off-road confidence to the big SUV. Though the large SUV is not built for off-roading fanatics, parents who frequent trailheads, campsites or mountains will be pleased with its efforts. 

Models with 4Motion also come with drive modes (called Active Control) that control traction in inclement weather; buyers who live in seasonal regions will prefer the steadier configuration. The drive modes include: Onroad (default), Snow, Offroad and Custom Offroad. The Offroad mode even has a Hill Descent Control function that automatically kicks in and keeps speeds between 1 and 19 mph when it detects gradients of 10% or more. Custom Offroad model lets the driver change steering, engine and gearbox behavior. When equipped with the larger V6 engine, the Atlas is rated to tow 5,000 pounds, which is mid-pack among rivals in its class.

Fuel Economy: 8/15

The Atlas V6 model configured with FWD has a combined EPA mileage rating of 17 mpg in city driving, 23 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg combined. Swapping to AWD on the same model drops each figure by 1 mpg. The FWD four-cylinder achieves 21 mpg city, 24 highway and 22 mpg combined. The AWD 2.0-liter only affects the city category by 1 mpg. 

The Atlas’ 19 mpg combined is bottom of the pack compared with rivals. The gas-powered Toyota Highlander (FWD) gets 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 23 combined (AWD is the same but drops highway by 1 mpg). Kia’s Telluride (FWD) gets 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 23 combined. The Subaru Ascent (AWD-only) gets 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway and 23 combined. Both Atlas engine offering use a stop/start system to save fuel. The system shuts the cars off when stopped at intersections or just idling.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 8/15

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall rating by NHTSA and a good rating overall for crashworthiness. The base SE comes standard with forward collision warnings and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection (Front Assist), blind spot monitoring (Side Assist) and rear traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control is standard on the SE w/ Technology and Travel Assist, a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane centering, is standard on the SEL and above as part of the IQ.Drive suite of advanced driver-assistance technology. The Atlas could earn more points from Forbes Wheels in Safety if it offered the IQ.Drive package on the base SE trim.

Comfort & Room: 15/15

The three-row Atlas offers expansive interior volume, with a third row large enough for two full-sized adults. The standard second-row bench seats three adults comfortably and offers a 60/40 split for extra seating and cargo carrying flexibility. Though optional captain’s chairs are not available on the base SE, they eliminate all hassle associated with folding and climbing over seats for smaller bodies. The rear seats have a 50/50 split. Both second and third row seats fold flat.

Leatherette seating is standard across the line, except on the top-shelf SEL Premium R-Line, which upgrades to leather. Front seat heaters, a pleasant option in frigid temps, are standard on the SE; the SEL adds a heated wheel. The base SE has dual-zone climate controls with a second-row control panel for backseat passengers, and all other trims offer tri-zone climate control.

The Atlas’ generous 33.7 inches of legroom tops the entire three-row segment when the comes to wayback space. It’s also the leader compared with the Toyota Highlander (27.7 inches), Telluride (31.4 inches) and the Subaru Ascent (31.7 inches).

Infotainment: 11/15

Technology in the Atlas is modern and thoughtful, but much of it is reserved for the SE w/ Technology trim (as the name suggests). Controls and switches are intuitively laid out, and Volkswagen’s simplistic interior design prevents all the available tech from overwhelming. All trims but the base SE get an 8-inch touchscreen and wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and seven USB ports (the base SE only has two).

The Atlas also has Car-Net interaction, which allows owners to get status updates (location, fuel level, windows closed or open) and perform actions (lock doors, honk the horn) remotely via their smartphone. Car-Net also lets passengers access the internet with four devices at the same time. All Atlases get a standard six-speaker system except for the SEL Premium R-Line, which is equipped with 12-speaker Fender premium audio.

Cargo Space & Storage: 15/15

The Atlas’ 20.6 cubic-feet of cargo area with the third-row upright is an impressive figure compared with the entire three-row midsize segment, bested only by the Chevrolet Traverse (23 cubic-feet), which still lags slightly in third-row legroom (33.5 inches).  It also fares at the top compared with its smaller competitive set, the Toyota Highlander (16 cubic-feet) and the Subaru Ascent (19.9). The Kia Telluride squeaks by with an even 21 cubic-feet of cargo space but falls short in third-row legroom (31.4 inches). With the third row folded flat, cargo space expands to 55.5 cubic-feet, which is best in class.13

There also is sufficient storage for small items, a generous center console and front cupholders large enough for an oversized water bottle. While the interior styling is somewhat plain, it’s highly functional and easy to live with.

Style & Design: 8/10

Its understated, no-frills approach to style also will attract those looking for a three-row SUV that’s more function than fashion. Though not a trendsetter in its class, the Atlas’ uncontroversial styling remains cohesive and consistent from nose to tail. A much-needed refresh last year brought a tad more style to the Atlas, particularly on R-Line models, which receive a more expressive front grille treatment with larger air intakes. 

This year the availability of the Black package on the SEL R-Line gives buyers the option for more on-trend customization at a lower price point. And the new, slimmer trim menu is focused on the higher end, which boast more premium design elements.

Is the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Worth it? Which Atlas is the Best Value? 

Buyers should consider upgrading to the SE w/ Technology to access the full menu of engine and driveline choices and add on adaptive cruise control, three-zone climate control, remote start, a power liftgate, larger 8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, more USB ports and a handful of other family-friendly features. Moving up from the base SE bumps cost of entry to $38,840 from $34,670 (about $4,000), but all the amenities are a worthy investment for busy parents, especially those with three kids, or who road trip often. 

If AWD is a must have, the upgrade is an additional $1,900. And since the Atlas is relatively heavy and modestly powered with either of the two engine choices, acceleration takes a hit. Most drivers will find the V6 offers a far more satisfying experience. All in, with AWD, the V6 SE w/ Technology is $42,490.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas?

The Volkswagen Atlas isn’t an expensive car to insure. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of $1,800, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $1,730 for the Toyota Highlander, $1,718 for the Subaru Ascent and $1,919 for the Kia Telluride. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.