Critics love the Volkswagen Atlas.

Despite being relatively new to the SUV category, arriving as a model year 2018 vehicle, the Volkswagen Atlas has certainly garnered praise from professional automotive journalists. With a spacious three-row configuration for its passengers and plenty of cargo room for their gear, the Atlas offers plenty of practicality and a comfortable ride.

Critics enjoy the new front and rear styling of the refreshed model, along with the high seating position that bestows a confident view of the conditions and traffic ahead. The ride character offers a comfortable ride without overdoing it and becoming too diaphanous. Its European heritage is evident throughout the inside cabin, with excellent build materials and a strong focus on fit-and-finish.

As for performance, the VW Atlas offers two choices for an engine – a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder or a 3.6-liter VR6 engine. Start/Stop tech is standard on both regardless of engine preference. The 4-cylinder variant produces 235HP and 258lbs-ft. of torque, while the more powerful available V6 delivers 276HP and 266lbs-ft. of torque. Both are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels or to all four in the available 4Motion all-wheel-drive trim levels. The V6 can be supplemented with a trailer hitch on some trim levels, allowing for a towing capacity of 5,000lbs.

EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 2021 Atlas equipped with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is 21/24/22 MPG (city/hwy/combined), and 20/24/22 HP for those with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. EPA-estimated fuel economy for the V6 front-wheel-drive models is 17/23/19 MPG (city/hwy/combined); and V6 models with 4Motion all-wheel drive are rated at 16/22/18 MPG.

For safety, the VW Atlas has a suite of passive and active features to help protect occupants. It boasts six airbags as standard (front and side airbags for front passengers and side curtain airbags for outboard seating positions), along with a number of electronic safety systems, such as an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

A standard feature on the 2021 Atlas is the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. Often a collision is more than a single, instantaneous action – it typically is a series of events that follow the initial impact—the most significant of which can cause additional collisions. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System helps address this by applying the brakes in certain circumstances where a primary collision is detected by the airbag sensors, potentially reducing residual kinetic energy and, in turn, the chance of additional damage.

The Atlas also enjoys an Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in certain types of collisions. Additionally, all Atlas models feature a rearview camera with the SE models and above featuring an advanced one with dynamic guidelines.

Miami VW shoppers in need of a family-mover or those with lots of gear to transport should definitely visit our Miami VW dealership for a look at this incredible SUV. Whether commuting from Kendall, Miami, Coral Gables or Doral, the VW Atlas is a confident and versatile choice. Visit us today!