2023 Volkswagen Atlas Review: A Well Equipped SUV
Is the Volkswagen Atlas a good SUV for families? We look at its powertrain, interior, trim levels, and more to see if it’s worth the asking price.
What’s new for the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas?
Volkswagen hasn’t changed much with regard to the 2023 Atlas. A new 10.25-inch digital cockpit is standard on all trims above the SE and the old base S trim is gone.
2023 Volkswagen Atlas – media.vw.com | Shop 2023 Volkswagen Atlas on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Spacious interior
Excellent pricing
We like the digital cockpit
Lackluster driving engagement
Poor fuel economy
Cheap interior
Lots of room for improvement
2023 Atlas Specs
- 235 horsepower from base engine
- 258 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 20.6 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 96.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 5,000-lb towing capacity
- Standard Android and Apple connectivity
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
- 4-year bumper-to-bumper warranty
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Powertrain
The base VW Atlas comes with a 235-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. A larger 276-hp V6 is also available or standard depending on the trim level. Both engines employ an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The bottom two trim levels come with front-wheel drive but AWD is an optional extra for $1,900. For a deeper discussion on how AWD differs from 4WD see this article.
The upper three trim levels all come with AWD as standard and the top two trim levels, SEL R-Line Black and SEL Premium R-Line each come with the V6 as standard. All of that is to say that no combination of engine or drivetrain seems particularly more engaging than another. The Atlas is built to shuttle passengers around in quiet comfort and it does that just fine.
Despite ties to Audi, this SUV isn’t athletic. It’s insulating, smooth, and pleasant to drive so long as you don’t push it hard in the turns. Considering the demographic that the Atlas is aimed at, we think that’s just fine.
Towing & Payload
Impressively, the Atlas can tow up to 5,000 pounds which puts it above many competitors. This SUV has a lot of cargo but it’s nice to know that one could add even more utility through a trailer if need be.
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Fuel Economy & MPG
At its very best, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway. That’s only possible with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and front-wheel drive. The V6 is rated at 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway. To put it lightly, that’s not good enough to put pressure on the leaders in the segment like the Kia Telluride which offers more power and better fuel economy.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Volkswagen offers a straightforward cabin design in the Atlas. Controls are laid out where one would expect them to be. They feel good to use as well with high-quality feedback. We also like the excellent visibility of this SUV despite its large proportions.
The dashboard materials in the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas are a mix of cheerful and cheap at times. VWs contrast stitching on the doors looks great but it’s met by hard cheap plastic for example.
Thankfully, we think most buyers won’t complain too much as the front seats are highly supportive, well-cushioned, and comfortable. Steering wheel controls offer additional flexibility and VW offers both physical and touchscreen climate buttons, switches, and knobs too.
There’s no question that the second and third-row seats in the Atlas look a little flimsy. They’re thinner in profile than some rivals. We think it’s a benefit though because, despite their look, both rows offer very supportive seats. In addition, because the seats are somewhat thin there’s more space for people and things. Third-row legroom is sincerely impressive as a result.
Behind the third row, buyers will find just over 20 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold the seats down and the Atlas offers up to 96.8 cubic feet of space. That’s quite impressive.
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Entertainment & Tech
Volkswagen has a complete technology suite in the Atlas that starts out with a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen in the center control stack and an 8-inch digital driver display. Each one does a fine job of communicating info as needed but keep in mind that neither is particularly impressive compared to rival offerings.
Thankfully, VW provides an upgrade on each with an available 8-inch infotainment system and a 10.25-inch digital cockpit. We think that both are well worth considering as they provide more features, better graphics, and extended configurability. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard features.
Safety Features
The Volkswagen Atlas hasn’t won any awards from the IIHS and the NHTSA has yet to release its own safety scores for the SUV. Regardless, VW equips every Atlas with forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other features like adaptive cruise control are optional extras.
2023 Volkswagen Atlas Trims & Pricing
SE – $35,895
The base Atlas comes with LED tail lights, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch wheels, faux leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 6.5-inch infotainment system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, six speakers, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
SE with Technology – $40,065
This trim gets 20-inch wheels, an 8-inch infotainment system, voice recognition, tri-zone automatic climate control, remote start, a wireless charging pad.
SEL – $45,685
The SEL comes with AWD as standard and also adds a heated steering wheel, integrated navigation, a power-adjustable passenger seat, adaptive headlights, blind-spot intervention, and lane-keep assist.
SEL R-Line Black – $49,385
The R-Line gets the V6 but also adds 20-inch wheels, black trim, and new bumpers both front and rear.
SEL Premium R-Line – $53,085
This trim gets 21-inch wheels, leather upholstery, ambient interior lighting, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, an automated parking system, and a 360-degree camera system.
Warranties
Every Atlas comes with a four-year or 50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a supplementary powertrain warranty that covers the SUV for the same time and distance. On top of that, VW also offers two years or 20,000 miles worth of complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2023 Volkswagen Atlas – vw.com | Shop 2023 Volkswagen Atlas on Carsforsale.com
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas is quite the capable family hauler. At its base price, it’s also one of the best-equipped and most spacious SUVs in the class. More expensive trims are a little harder to justify but for some, the extra interior space, simplified cabin, and insulated ride are going to be too good to pass up. It could be even more attractive depending on incentives.
