Used 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is a midsize-crossover SUV with three rows of seating. It has been updated for 2021 with revised front and rear styling and an improved safety suite. Also, the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder base engine is now available with all-wheel drive.

In standard form, the Atlas seats seven. With optional captain’s chairs in the second row, that drops to six. All occupants are treated to plenty of space inside the Atlas, which was designed specifically for the North American market and is built in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

For 2021, VW’s big SUV benefits from a mid-cycle refresh. New front and rear styling adds almost three inches to the vehicle’s overall length. On the safety front, a forward-collision warning system, along with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, and a rear cross-traffic alert, is standard on all models.

The big mechanical change for 2021 is the availability of the turbocharged 4-cylinder on all-wheel-drive (AWD) models. Last year, it was available only on front-wheel-drive (FWD) Atlases. Of note, both the FWD and AWD 4-cylinder Atlas models get identical EPA combined fuel economy of 22 mpg.

With the 3.6-liter V6 or the turbo 4-cylinder, the 2021 VW Atlas carries on as a family hauler extraordinaire, one that benefits from smart ergonomics, plenty of interior space, a good safety suite, and a pleasant overall driving experience.

In this hotly contested category of 3-row SUVs, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas competes with the hot tickets in the 3-row midsize SUV segment: the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, not to mention the Chevy Traverse and Subaru Ascent.

As a vehicle designed for the American market, the Volkswagen Atlas is a roomy family hauler with a high seating position that gives the driver a great view of the traffic ahead. The ride quality is comfortable and not the least bit floaty, and the interior controls are where you’d expect them to be. The quality of materials is good, and a European sensibility is apparent in the look of the dash.

The 235-horsepower 4-cylinder engine may seem small and possibly underpowered for a vehicle weighing over 4,000 pounds, but it’s up to the task, thanks in part to its excellent low-end torque that peaks at just 1,600 rpm. The naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6, with 276 horsepower, feels more relaxed in its duty, but fuel economy goes down a bit.

A smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic is the only transmission available, and the 4Motion AWD models benefit from Snow and Off-road modes. While the 4Motion Atlas is by no means an off-roader, it performs well on muddy dirt roads. It also becomes your best friend when the steep driveway at your cabin is covered in snow. Ground clearance is a respectable eight inches.

Owing to its role as a family hauler designed for U.S. buyers, the 2021 VW Atlas is super spacious inside, and it’s blessed this year with a new steering wheel and 17 cup holders.

We like how the second-row bench can fold and slide forward, even when a child seat is affixed. In that configuration, the Atlas seats seven. When it’s fitted with optional 2nd-row captain’s chairs, the VW Atlas seats six in a 2-2-2 configuration.

There’s 20.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the Atlas’s rear bench, which expands to 96.8 cubic feet of space when both rows of seats are folded flat. A Kia Telluride, for comparison, has 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind its third row and 87 cubic feet when both rear rows are folded.

For 2021, all versions of the VW Atlas except the base S model have an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. trim. What’s more, all models have the latest telematics system along with in-car Wi-Fi.

The Volkswagen Atlas has been restyled front and rear for 2021, a process that has added three inches to the length of the vehicle but hasn’t dramatically changed its looks. This midsize VW SUV still is immediately recognizable as a Volkswagen Atlas, one with LED headlights and taillights.

Further enhancing the freshened looks are newly sculpted bumpers and a 3-bar grille like that used on the new Atlas Cross Sport. The wide grille extends into the headlight assemblies.

DUAL CAPTAIN’S CHAIRS
These 2nd-row captain’s chairs replace the bench seat, lending the Atlas the feel of an executive transport, one with plenty of space in back to work or sleep. Available for $695 on the Atlas SE with Technology model and above.

VOLKSWAGEN DIGITAL COCKPIT
Standard on the Atlas SEL and above, the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit is a highly configurable digital version of traditional gauges. Controls are on the steering wheel.

At the base S level, a 2021 VW Atlas has the 4-cylinder engine, cloth seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, and a good safety suite highlighted by automatic emergency braking.

At the SE level, the Atlas has a standard power driver’s seat, leatherette seating surfaces, a single USB port, and a power liftgate. The SE with Technology model, available with the V6, adds a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go.

Moving up to the Atlas SEL brings 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, while the SEL R-Line models add 21-inch alloy wheels and unique R-Line body trim.

The top VW Atlas offerings for 2021 are the SEL Premium and the SEL Premium R-Line. The SEL Premium is distinguished by its standard sport seats with perforated leather, together with a heated second row, metal scuff plates, and a 360-degree overhead camera view. The SEL Premium R-Line adds 21-inch alloy wheels and unique bumpers and body trim.

4Motion all-wheel drive adds $1,900 to the price of a base 2021 VW Atlas. The SE with Technology model (and all other higher Atlas models) can be ordered with 2nd-row captain’s chairs for $695. The SE with Technology model also can be ordered with a $1,200 panoramic sunroof.

The only other significant option on the 2021 VW Atlas is a V6 Towing Package. Available on the SE with Technology and the SE with Technology R-Line, the $550 package includes a trailer hitch and a more powerful alternator. Equipped with said package, the VW Atlas can tow a 5,000-pound trailer.

The base Atlas continues to be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Last year, this powerplant was available exclusively in the front-wheel-drive Atlas. For 2021, VW has made the 4-cylinder Atlas available with 4Motion all-wheel drive.

With front-wheel drive, the 4-cylinder 2021 VW Atlas has EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21 mpg city/24 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The all-wheel-drive 4-cylinder Atlas is nearly as efficient, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg city/24 mpg highway/22 mpg combined.

The 3.6-liter V6 is more powerful but thirstier, particularly around town. In front-drive form, the V6 Atlas has EPA ratings of 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway/19 mpg combined. With all-wheel drive, the V6 Atlas drops to 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/18 mpg combined.

One transmission remains available: an 8-speed automatic.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4
235 horsepower @ 4,500 rpm
258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/24 mpg, 20/24 mpg (AWD)

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))