2027 Volkswagen Atlas: First Spin

Hybrid and Electric

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama—As a Volkswagen proprietor, I’ve to confess that I’m a bit more durable on VW take a look at automobiles than I’m on fashions from different automakers. We’ve had two GTIs and a Jetta, so I’m all the time in search of the sporting nature of a VW, and generally it’s simply lacking. The excellent news: The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas truly drives like a Volkswagen.

2027 Volkswagen Atlas: First Spin

The Atlas enters its second era for the 2027 mannequin yr with an entire redesign, new expertise, extra household pleasant options, and USB chargers in each row.

Family sized enjoyable

When the Atlas first got here on the scene in 2017, VW had a small lineup, and I imply small, as in pint-sized slightly than not a giant lineup. You had two SUVs, the Touareg and Tiguan, after which a number of automobiles. Just 14 p.c of VW gross sales had been SUVs. Now, an eye-popping 80 p.c of the model’s gross sales are SUVs. And, trying on the Atlas purchaser particularly, they sometimes have three youngsters within the family, so legroom, quick access to the third row, and cargo area are vital right here.

Family Ready

Therefore, the 2027 Atlas is filled with options designed to enchantment to an lively household—and that features with the ability to match three automotive seats within the center row (see picture beneath) in addition to leaving these automotive seats strapped in whereas accessing the third row. Plus, the brand new Atlas provides commonplace options corresponding to an influence elevate gate, rear shades, B-pillar air vents for the second row, and USB-C cost ports in each seating row.

The Atlas additionally retains adult-sized third row lodging, and close to class-leading cargo area, with loads of room to carry a stroller whereas the third row is in use.

Cool tech

The Atlas upgrades the middle display to a normal 12.9 inches with an accessible 15-inch display. You additionally get commonplace Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a ten.25-inch digital gauge cluster with customizable views, ambient lighting, and varied subscription-based related companies. One of the extra fascinating accessible new related options is the AirConsole Games setup that permits you to pair a number of telephones after which play video video games (whereas in park) utilizing your telephone because the controller.

My favourite new tech characteristic, nonetheless, needs to be the twin wi-fi chargers with MagSafe functionality. I used to be capable of lock my iPhone 16 Pro in place with the magnet, and the charger didn’t overheat my telephone and it truly offered vital cost whereas utilizing Apple CarPlay and Google Maps throughout a 90-minute interval (so long as all my extraneous apps had been closed).

Engines

The 2027 Atlas has a single powertrain: a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This delivers 282 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The solely transmission continues to be an 8-speed computerized. While front-wheel drive is commonplace, all-wheel drive is accessible. And the automobile maintains a 5,000-pound max towing capability with a normal towing hitch on most trims.

Even with extra horsepower, the 2027 Atlas nonetheless has improved gas economic system, and the front-drive fashions see 22 mpg within the metropolis with 29 mpg on the freeway, and AWD fashions delivering 20 mpg and 27 mpg, respectively.

On the street

Overall, I assumed the facility output on the brand new Atlas was peppy. We had the chance to hit the freeway throughout our temporary take a look at, and I discovered that the passing potential was actually good. There was no lag or hesitation, and it was simple to speed up to overhaul slower automobiles. My one quibble goes to be with the off-line-start when you’ve the auto stop-start engaged. It nonetheless just a little bit clunky, and I discovered in at the very least one occasion after I was making an attempt to show into site visitors that the engine didn’t swap on quick sufficient for me to make the quick flip, and I needed to abort the maneuver on the final minute.

The drive additionally took us on some winding nation roads, and whereas we didn’t have a number of twisty bits or elevation adjustments, we had been capable of get a way of physique roll and the way it handles curves. The 2027 Atlas had a extra sporty experience and dealing with with a stiffer suspension and tighter steering. It felt actually steady and drove lots smaller than you’d assume a three-row automobile would drive. In sum, it had distinct Volkswagen vibes.

Prices and trim ranges

While the bottom pricing for the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas does enhance by about $2,300, Volkswagen says it added $2,620 in worth. Front-wheel drive is commonplace within the SE trim ranges, with AWD being accessible for $2,000. The SEL trims come commonplace with AWD. And each the SEL trims now come commonplace as R-Line fashions.

SE ($43,135): This consists of options corresponding to 18-inch wheels, actual wooden decor, artificial leather-based seats, 10-color ambient lighting, digital gauge cluster, 12.9-inch infotainment display, twin wi-fi telephone chargers, a 9-speaker audio system, rear shades, energy elevate gate, and parking sensors.

SE with Tech ($47,135): Adds options corresponding to 20-inch wheels, illuminated exterior door handles, a 15-inch infotainment display, distant begin, and a 115-volt energy outlet.

SEL R-Line ($53,635): Adds options corresponding to a panoramic sunroof, navigation, head-up show, 30-color ambient lighting, leather-based seats, driver thigh help, heated washer nozzles, driver’s seat reminiscence perform, and predictive adaptive cruise management.

SEL Premium R-Line ($58,135): Adds options corresponding to 21-inch wheels, puddle lamps with the VW emblem, a 14-speaker Harmon Kardon premium sound system, premium leather-based seats, massaging entrance seats, energy folding mirrors, and park help capabilities.

Most of the trims are WYSIWYGs (what you see is what you get), and there are only a few choices. A bench seat within the center row is commonplace, however captain’s chairs ($695) can be found on the SE with Tech and SEL trims. The SE with Tech additionally gives a panoramic sunroof ($1,200) and black wheel package deal ($595).

CG Says:

First impressions of the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas are largely favorable. It packs a number of nice commonplace options into the bottom trim and gives much more. The reality which you could match three automotive seats within the center row is a large win for younger households, and the beneficiant legroom within the third row means you’ll be able to nonetheless match grownup passengers whereas transporting the household.

Overall, we like the way it drives, however there’s some turbo lag when the auto stop-start engine is engaged, and the belt line is just a little excessive for drivers on the petite aspect of the spectrum.

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