This week I'm behind the wheel of an all-new SUV that will be heading into dealerships very soon -the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas. It just started rolling down the assembly line in Chattanooga, Tennessee late last month. This is the second-generation of VW's three-row 7-seater SUV that launched in 2018 specifically with U.S. customers in mind. It's currently VW's second best-seller in the U.S. after the Tiguan, and was more that twice as popular as the Atlas Cross in the third quarter.
The answer here is a lot. An all-new exterior built on new sheet metal is less boxy and more elegant. A redesigned cabin is also more upscale thanks to upgraded materials. An updated powertrain delivers more power - with a catch. More features are also standard across the lineup. The 2027 Atlas is also included in the rollout of VW's new AirConsole in-vehicle gaming available through the In-Vehicle Premium service you access through the myVW app.
The overhauled exterior takes on VW's more recent and modern design language. That means smoother, sleeker lines and a less boxy appearance.
My SEL Premium R-Line wears a new for pretty 2027 Sacramento Green Metallic hue and. features front and rear light bars.
The front end features a smaller grille flanked by new double stacked LED headlights and daytime running lights. Adaptive Front Lighting is standard across the lineup and an illuminated VW badge is standard on all but the base trim. The SEL Premium R-Line also features VW logo puddle lamps and new-for-2027 available illuminated door handles.
I'm a huge fan of the tail end redesign which just looks expensive with a more noticeable spoiler, 3D cross-body taillights. and the SEL Premium R-Line's exclusive gloss black lower diffuser. A roof rail is standard across the lineup - the SEL Premium R-Line's is silver versus black.
Other features include power-folding heated mirrors, rain sensing wipers with heated washer nozzles.
Ok. I wish I could love the new Atlas' updated powertrain - but for me it's a mixed bag. An upgraded turbocharged 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine bumps up horsepower 269 to 282-horses, so that gets a "YAY" from me. However, torque decreases from 273 to 258 pound-feet. It's an update that improves fuel economy - a bit - but at the expense of off-the-line acceleration. So to me, updating the horsepower while downgrading torque cancels out any real excitement in this department. For the FWD model combined MPG increases by 2. For the 4 MOTION All-Wheel Drive models such as this one combined gets a boost of 3.
The engine continues to be paired with an unchanged 8-speed automatic transmission though the gear selector has moved. Stop/start is noticeable but you can disable it.
Interior
Like the exterior, the cabin is more upscale and modern than the previous generation. Materials are better. Design is more tailored. Features are more ergonomically thoughtful.
The centerpiece of the redesigned cabin is its new leatherette-trimmed dashboard with real wood decor, standard across the lineup. It integrates VW's digital driver cockpit, an available 15-inch touchscreen and unique ambient lighting on the passenger side. The SEL Premium R-Line dash uniquely features an organic spiral pattern that stretches into perforated backlit door panels in both the first and second rows. I also have to point out the now glossy left-dash AC vents also look much better and more refined than the silver-trimmed ones of the last generation.
New sportier seats are extremely well-designed and comfortable. The SEL Premium R-Line features 12-way power quilted Nappa leather front seats. Heated and ventilated seats are standard across the lineup. Perforated headrests feature R-Line badging. Improved full-back massage seats are impressive - so impressive in fact they rival those of a luxury model. Other SEL Premium R-Line features include an R-Line badged door sill scuff plates, R-Line badged heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, stainless steel pedal caps and exclusive dark coffee-colored wood trim.
Designers made two additional big changes to the interior. They integrated the inner door latch into a floating armrest. This not only freed up space on the upper door panel for a cleaner look with an integrated pattern- but also makes for an easier reach.
They also relocated the gear shift from the center console to the steering wheel stalk, which freed up space on the center console for a new Driver Experience Dial that debuted in the Tiguan. The dial triples as a controller for drive modes, volume, and the new Atmospheres feature that allows you tailor light and audio settings to your mood. The gear shift relocation also makes space for one of my favorite features - dual Qi MagSafe wireless charging.
The 15-inch touchscreen runs VW's excellent multimedia system. Graphics and maps are fantastic. A complaint would be that I'm not a huge fan of the touchscreen's climate controls and find the system hard to navigate. The system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL Premium R-Line gets a new 14-speaker Harmon Kardon Sound System with a dash speaker.
VW's Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro delivers bright, easy to read information. While I understand it needs to fit within the sleek new dashboard design, I do wish it had more height. It seems too small for an SUV this size, especially next to a giant 15-inch screen. I am happy to see the new design ditches the large protruding "hood" over the driver display of the last-generation.
Ambient lighting plays a big role in the interior as well especially on the SEL Premium R-Line which offers a 30-color lighting system for the dash, door panels, center console and footwells. A panoramic roof is standard on the SEL Premium R -Line.
Captain's chairs are available in the comfortable second-row, however this vehicle has a standard set up with heated and ventilated outboard rear 14-degree reclining second-row seats. The SEL Premium R-Line is equipped with now lineup standard manual second-row sunshades. A 2nd-row seat lever and tilt and slide function provides easy access to the third row.
The Atlas is extremely roomy with a third row that fits adults. But don't try to bring a big drink back there because the drink holders are tiny. The third row does have USB-C ports, which is terrific, and soft-touch 2nd-row seat backs.
The 50/50 third row fold-flat seats came in handy, too, when I needed to haul 5 Corokitty cat shelters home. My test vehicle was also equipped with a great optional CarGo blocks system I utilized for the trip. The velcro system allows you to move them around and stick them to the carpet floor to help hold items in place as needed. All trims feature a kick-sensor power tailgate.
Standard features also include 3-zone climate, 115-volt in the second row and USB-C ports in all three rows.
The Atlas is going to get you there in comfort, that's no question. It's a smooth, comfortable and quiet ride. While the vehicle itself feels heavy, steering is on lighter side. I preferred the heavier, tighter steering allowed by Snow mode even over Sport. There is an off-road mode drive mode as well complete with off-road display info.
As I alluded to earlier, I'd like more torque for better off-the-line acceleration but acceleration is fine overall.
The only option here: Monster Mats and Heavy Duty Trunk Liner with those terrific (I actually used) VW CarGo blocks ($296).
VW's hands-on semi-autonomous IQ.DRIVE advanced driver assistance technology is standard across the lineup. It includes Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance w/ assisted lane changing); Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring); Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor); Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go; Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System); and Emergency Assist Plus (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency).
Other standard safety includes Exit Warning, Park Distance Control, Seat Belt Reminder in all three rows, and Light Assist.
The SEL Premium R-Line is also equipped with Dynamic Road Sign Display, Head-up Display, Predictive ACC, and Area View (Overhead View Camera) as well as the latest version of Park Assist Plus which impressed me during testing. It backed into a parking spot pretty marvelously.
In-Vehicle Premium Trial
Atlas includes a three-month trial of VW's newly bundled In-Vehicle Premium subscription. It includes:
The all-new 2027 Atlas is exactly what it needed to stand out in an SUV segment with some tough competition. Premium upgrades make it even more appealing, it looks great in the driveway and the price is right.
2027 VW Atlas SEL Premium R Line