Used 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

#9 in Best Midsize SUVs for 2020

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas is a midsize-crossover SUV with three rows of seating. In its usual form, it has accommodation for seven. An optional pair of captain’s chairs for the second row brings that down to six. Volkswagen designed and developed the Atlas especially for North America, and builds it in the company’s factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The Atlas is therefore a specialized machine that still has to have a broad appeal. And it succeeds with family-friendly space and costs, smart ergonomics, decent-quality materials, and a pleasant driving experience with standard driver aids.

As with almost anything that looks like an SUV, though, this is a hotly contested arena. Principal rivals like the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer have been joined recently by the excellent Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Let’s not forget the Chevrolet Traverse, either. At least the Atlas is strong enough to be in the game, rather than being left on the sidelines.

The Atlas has a comfortable ride quality approaching that of a luxury vehicle, yet still displays control and composure when the corners come along. That’s the European influence in a vehicle designed and built for Americans.

The basic 4-cylinder engine (paired only with front-wheel drive) is adequate for suburban duties, but anyone planning longer drives might want to consider the V6. Then again, the Atlas is not light (around 4,500 pounds) and it’s the largest vehicle VW sells in the United States, so even this option is hardly a powerhouse. But it can come with all-wheel drive (AWD), a system that includes Snow and Off-road modes.

Eight inches of ground clearance means the Atlas can cope with a rural trail, but not the really rough stuff.

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Because the 2020 Atlas is aimed at American buyers, there are 17 cup holders. However, the cabin still mixes simplicity with class. The high-quality plastics help in this regard.

The second row can fold and slide forward even when child seats are fitted, enabling accommodation for seven occupants, or six if the optional 2nd-row captain’s chairs are selected.

In versions of the Atlas without the captain’s chairs, the rearmost two rows of seats can fold to create a flat load-space floor. Behind the third row is a still-generous 20.6 cubic feet of cargo area, which expands to an impressive maximum of 96.8 cubic feet.

Clever packaging means the VW Atlas is big on the inside yet capable of fitting within a regular garage. The rear-passenger doors are generously sized and open wide for easy entries and exits. And we like the large cargo-area aperture, especially when it’s accessed by the hands-free power tailgate. Touches like these illustrate the detail Volkswagen has gone into when considering the needs of its potential customers.

The standard wheel is an 18-inch alloy, going up to 21 inches on the highest trim. The R-Line variants have their own cosmetic additions.

THIRD ROW
Yes, a third seating row is good enough to warrant a special mention. The way the second row slides forward to make the seats behind so easily accessible is just one aspect. Passengers will also find plenty of headroom and decent legroom, with space under the second row to place their feet.

SPORT MODE
Even if the 2020 Atlas isn’t exactly breathtaking, there’s still some VW spirit to be found. Clicking the driving modes over to Sport sharpens up the steering and throttle responses, and raises the transmission shift points. It even works with the adaptive cruise control engaged.

The good news is that the 2020 Atlas in entry-level S trim comes with a lot of standard equipment that includes a few advanced driver aids. Other attractions include rain-sensing wipers, automatic LED headlights, heated side mirrors, roof rails, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, and Wi-Fi.

Safety makes a substantial contribution with six airbags, automatic post-collision braking, and VW’s Intelligent Crash Response System, which cuts the fuel supply, unlocks the doors and turns on the hazard lights in the event of a crash.

The not-so-good news is that there’s only a 6.5-inch infotainment touch screen and one USB port.

To bring even more features into a new Volkswagen Atlas means heading for higher trims. For example, parking sensors aren’t available until the mid-range SE w/Tech R-Line model, while the hands-free power tailgate comes in the SEL model.

Those looking to spend more can always order the panoramic sunroof, 20-inch or 21-inch alloy wheels, and 2nd-row captain’s chairs. The V6 with all-wheel drive is available in the S.

Apart from all-wheel drive and the V6 engine (both of which are standard in SEL Premium), the only other main options are a trailer package for the first three trims with the V6, panoramic sunroof (available in the upper two SE variants) and 2nd-row captain’s chairs. The first two trims are ineligible for that last feature.

To see which equipment goes where, check our Trims/Features section below.

The basic engine in the 2020 VW Atlas is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit making 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is the only configuration.

The alternative is a 3.6-liter V6 generating 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, and can drive either the front wheels or all four (AWD) with the 4Motion setup, which has modes for various treacherous conditions. The Atlas also has on-road driving modes of Eco, Normal and Sport.

Both engines connect to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
235 horsepower @ 4,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/24 mpg

3.6-liter V6
276 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
266 lb-ft of torque @ 2,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 mpg (FWD), 16/22 mpg (AWD)