2027 Volkswagen Atlas: A Refined Update of VW's Top U.S. Seller

Volkswagen's most important U.S. model is getting a full redesign for 2027, and Jalopnik got an early drive. The Atlas and its two-row Cross Sport sibling account for about one in three VWs sold in America, with over 1 million sold since 2017. Now the second-generation version is here, and Jalopnik says it's a substantial improvement over the decade-old original.

The new Atlas is slightly longer but about the same size inside and out. The styling is more evolutionary than revolutionary, with a cleaner, less fussy exterior. Standard lighting includes dual light lines and an illuminated VW logo on all but the base trim. Jalopnik praised the paint choices, including new Sacramento Green and Blackberry, but called the wheel designs "boring."

The cabin gets the biggest upgrade. A 12.9-inch touchscreen is standard on the base SE, while other trims get a 15-inch unit with clear graphics and customizable home screen. The touch-capacitive climate controls "still suck," Jalopnik said, but the steering wheel now has actual buttons. The top SEL Premium R-Line includes off-white leather with brown piping, faux wood trim, and ambient lighting. One gripe: the faux wood pieces don't line up, with mismatched grain and color.

Jalopnik also criticized the 360-degree camera system on the top trim, calling the resolution "horrible" on the big screen. Otherwise, the interior feels upscale, with well-padded surfaces, a floating center console with extra storage, and wireless phone chargers with MagSafe capability that Jalopnik called "the best execution of wireless charging on the market."

The 2027 Atlas uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 282 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, up 13 hp from the old model but down 15 lb-ft. It's paired with an 8-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on lower trims, with 4Motion all-wheel drive a $2,000 option there and standard on SEL trims.

Fuel economy is improved: 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined on front-drive models, and 20/27/23 with all-wheel drive. Jalopnik found the powertrain punchy and responsive, the cabin quiet even on 21-inch wheels, and the ride comfortable over rough pavement. The brake pedal felt annoyingly squishy, and steering is not responsive, but handling is composed for a three-row SUV.

The third row is spacious enough for a 5-foot-9 adult to get in and out, with cupholders, USB-C ports, and cargo space of 21.2 cubic feet behind it, expanding to 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. Standard features on every trim include heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a hands-free power tailgate, and three-zone climate control.

Pricing starts at $43,135 including destination for the base SE, only $2,300 more than the outgoing model. The SE with Tech is $47,135 front-drive or $49,135 with AWD. The AWD-only SEL R-Line is $53,635, and the loaded SEL Premium R-Line is $58,125.

Jalopnik's main complaint: there's still no hybrid option. Volkswagen has said a hybrid will come with a mid-cycle refresh in a few years, and Jalopnik says it can't come soon enough, noting a fully loaded Kia Telluride hybrid costs only about $1,000 more than the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line.

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