2027 Volkswagen Atlas tested: slower, heavier, still roomy

Volkswagen launched a full redesign of its biggest SUV for 2027. The three-row Atlas gets new styling, a more upscale cabin, and a retuned 2.0-liter turbo-four that now makes 282 horsepower. MotorTrend drove a production SEL Premium R-Line with all-wheel drive and found a familiar story: the Atlas still prioritizes passenger space and a soft ride over outright performance.

The redesign didn't improve straight-line speed. MotorTrend's test showed the 2027 Atlas taking 8.0 seconds to reach 60 mph and 16.1 seconds in the quarter mile. That's slower than the 2024 model MotorTrend tested, which hit 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and ran the quarter in 15.7 seconds. The new SUV is 148 pounds heavier, and the new engine actually makes 15 fewer lb-ft of torque than the old one, which helps explain why more horsepower didn't mean quicker acceleration.

Fuel economy improved slightly. The AWD model rates 20/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined, up from 20/26/22 mpg on the 2026 SE 4Motion. Front-wheel-drive trims do better: 22/29/25 mpg versus 20/27/23 mpg. Braking distance didn't change at 123 feet from 60 mph. The Atlas showed marginally better grip on the skidpad and a slightly quicker figure-eight time, MotorTrend reported, calling the gains incremental.

Where the Atlas still shines is interior space. Cargo capacity is 21.2 cubic feet behind the third row and 55.9 cubic feet behind the second, both slight increases. With both rows folded, capacity is 95.4 cubic feet, down a bit. Third-row legroom gained 0.4 inch to 34.1 inches. Second-row seats slide and recline. The cabin gets real wood, soft-touch surfaces, and ambient lighting as standard. A 12.9-inch touchscreen is base, with a 15.0-inch screen on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with two wireless phone chargers and seven USB-C ports.

Driving feel hasn't changed much

MotorTrend noted the Atlas still leans through corners and gets jittery over rough pavement. The ride is easygoing on smooth roads but less composed on broken surfaces. The column-mounted shifter frees up center-console space, but the door release handles require a lift-and-push motion MotorTrend called awkward.

The touchscreen controls most functions, including climate settings. MotorTrend said drivers may need time to learn the layout, which could be a problem in a family SUV where multiple people drive.

Bottom line for families

MotorTrend called the 2027 Atlas a more modern and polished version of the same roomy family SUV. The cabin and exterior make the redesign feel substantial. The space and layout preserve what made the Atlas appealing. On the road, the familiar trade-offs remain: a soft ride that can get unsettled, a screen-heavy interface, and acceleration that doesn't match the horsepower increase. Slightly better fuel economy and modest handling gains help, but it's an evolution of strengths rather than a reinvention.

• 2027 Atlas
• family SUV
• MotorTrend
• three-row SUV
• Volkswagen Atlas