2023 Volkswagen Atlas
- Sold in the USA: 2018-Present
- 1st Generation facelifted (2021 onward)
2023 Volkswagen Atlas price in the USA:
Atlas SE | Starts at: $35,150 |
Atlas SE & Technology | Starts at: $39,320 |
Atlas SEL | Starts at: $44,940 |
Atlas SEL R-Line Black | Starts at: $48,640Â |
Atlas Premium R-Line | Starts at: $52,340 |
The mid-size crossover SUV, the Volkswagen Atlas, was introduced in 2017 in North America and China. This SUV is built on the Volkswagen Group MQM platform and is called Volkswagen Teramont outside the United States. It offers two engine choices and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It received a facelift in 2021 with a restyled front, redesigned wheels, new taillights, and restyled steering wheel. The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas comes with an eight-inch digital cluster as a standard in all trim levels, and the base trim S is discontinued in the 2022 Atlas model. The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas is now available at all Volkswagen dealer networks, and the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas is ranked number thirteen among other mid-size SUVs. The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas now offers a 10.25-inch updated digital gauge cluster as a standard in all trims except the S.E. trim. It is a three-row SUV, accommodating up to seven passengers, and is the best choice for families as it is spacious and offers ample passenger room. It has an easy-to-use infotainment system, and the cabin has intuitive Technology so you can enjoy your journeys. The interior is not very luxurious compared to its rivals like Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Toyota Highlander. Still, the cabin is spacious enough to provide comfort to seven passengers. It is a good option if you are looking for a mid-size SUV because it is comfortable for the passengers and relaxing to drive. It comes with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive options and can tow up to 5000 pounds. The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas is available in six trim levels. Still, the S.E. with the V6 engine and Technology package is mainly recommended by the reviewers as it offers high-end features and a powerful engine at a reasonable price compared to other trim levels. In this article, we will further discuss the United States Volkswagen Atlas 2023 model’s specs and details.
Trims & Variants:Â
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas is available in the following six trim levels:
S.E.: it offers a standard front-wheel-drive, eighteen-inch wheels, keyless entry, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, Wi-Fi hotspot, a power liftgate, heated front seats, blind-spot monitor, rear-cross traffic alert, and forward collision mitigation.
S.E. with Technology: it offers twenty-inch wheels, a remote engine start, an eight-inch touchscreen display, leather upholstery, USB ports at 2nd and 3rd-row seats, adaptive cruise control, a wireless charging pad, and front and rear parking sensors. It also offers optional all-wheel-drive, panoramic sunroof, and 2nd-row captain seats.
SEL: it offers an all-wheel-drive as standard, heated steering wheel, navigation system, blind-spot intervention, lane keeping Assist, and power-adjustable passenger seat.
SEL R-Line: it offers twenty-inch grey wheels, R-Line interior trim pieces, and sporty front and rear bumpers.
SEL R-Line Black: it offers twenty-inch black wheels, black mirror caps, a black grille, and black badges.
SEL Premium R-Line: it offers twenty-one-inch wheels, heated 2nd-row seats, leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, a 360-degree camera, an automated parking system, a 12-speaker sound system, and ventilated front seats.
Engine, Power &Â Transmission:
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas has two engine choices: a 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and a 3.6-liter V6 engine. The S.E., S.E. with Technology, and SEL trims have a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, while the S.E. with technology and SEL trims offer a 3.6-liter V6 engine. The turbocharged engine generates 276 hp of power and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.6-liter V6 engine generates 276 hp of power and 266 lb-ft of torque. All variants of the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas offer an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel-drive as a standard and an optional all-wheel-drive configuration.
Performance & Driving:
 The Volkswagen Atlas is pleasant to drive, and both engines have specific efficiencies. The four-cylinder engine easily cruises around the town but fades at higher speeds. The V6 engine is smoother and delivers better performance at high speeds, but you have to rev hard to generate more power, and it accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 8.5 seconds. The four-cylinder engine takes .8.1 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour. The eight-speed automatic transmission changes gear smoothly, but sometimes it is slow to downshift. The V6 engine has a towing capacity of 5000 pounds, and the four-cylinder engine can tow up to 2000 pounds. It is fun to drive with precise steering control and never feels clumsy, and gives confidence to drivers when turning it around corners and twists. The suspension system is tuned well and provides smooth performance, but sometimes the harshest potholes disturb the ride quality. The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas’s fuel economy is not very extraordinary, and the four-cylinder engine model gives 21 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highways. The V6 engine model gives 18 miles per gallon in the city with four-wheel-drive and 24 miles per gallon on the highways with four-wheel-drive, while the all-wheel-drive configuration in V6 models gives 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 miles per gallon on the roads. The I.Q. Drive technology in Volkswagen Atlas alerts you when a car is in the blind spots and counter steering when needed. Adaptive cruise control helps adjust your vehicle’s speed by using sensors and managing the distance between adjacent vehicles. The I.Q. technology enhances safety and offers travel Assist, Emergency Assist, Front Assist, blind spot monitor, and adaptive cruise control. The Volkswagen Atlas comes with various driving modes that make driving easier in all weather conditions. The all-wheel-drive mode offers Snow mode, on-road driving mode, off-road mode, and off-road custom mode.
Exterior Design & Features:
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas has a sleek design with a contemporary appearance. The bold LED lights come with daytime running lights and all-weather lights illuminating at low speeds. The hands-free liftgate is easy to open with a remote opening, and the 21-inches alloy wheels in high-end trims make it look sportier. The panoramic sunroof enhances its beauty and gives the rear passengers a panorama view of the surroundings so they can enjoy their journey.
Interior Design & Features:
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas cabin is family-friendly and comfortable. It has a simple control button layout and many cup holders in the cabin. The interior design is simple yet elegant, and the 3rd-row seat is also spacious enough to accommodate one adult comfortably. The Volkswagen Atlas can accommodate up to seven passengers. The Atlas can carry four suitcases behind the 3rd-row seat and up to thirty-five suitcases when the 2nd and 3rd-row seats get folded. A 6.5-inch touchscreen display is compatible with Android Auto and Apple Car play interface, giving infotainment and a six-speaker sound system that provides good-quality audio. It also offers rear-seat USB ports, a wireless charging device, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot system, and a passenger’s seat with a heating and ventilation system.
Safety & Features:
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas offers the latest safety features, some of which are the following:
- Adaptive cruise control.
- Blind-spot monitoring system.
- Rear-cross traffic alert system.
- Automated emergency brakes.
- Forward collision warning alarm.
- Emergency Assist.
- Lane Assist.
- Rearview camera.
- Intelligent crash response system.
- Tire pressure monitoring system.
- Six-stability enhancing systems.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- The Volkswagen Atlas offers a spacious cabin and an easy-to-use infotainment system.
- It offers an above-average warranty.
- It offers impressive towing capacity. The Volkswagen Atlas offers precise handling dynamics and good ride quality.
Cons:
It offers lower fuel economy compared to most competitors. The acceleration of the Volkswagen Atlas is not quicker, and the transmission is clumsy. The cabin is not very luxurious compared to the rivals
Major Competitors:
- Kia Telluride
- Toyota Highlander
- Ford Bronco
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Ford Bronco Raptor
- Hyundai Palisade
- Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 600