2022 Volkswagen Atlas

• Overview

  

  There is no denying that over the past couple of decades, SUVs have come to dominate the auto market, and every manufacturer offers at least one or two options. While small and compact models can work for some people, there are still plenty of drivers who want the size, power, and spaciousness of a three-row SUV. If you are looking for that kind of experience, then the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas should definitely be on your radar. With two impressive engine options, a roomy interior that offers plenty of space, and terrific interior features - all at a generous price - the Atlas is one of our favorite options for a growing family.

  While it is easy to get focused on the interior of a large SUV, you should never forget that much of your driving experience will come from the engine. There are two excellent engines available for the 2022 Atlas, and VW has really come through to ensure that you get a great drive no matter which one you choose. The standard 234 hp turbocharged option delivers a fun time on the road, while the available 276 hp V6 engine simply elevates things a step further. Both engines come paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and while front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is available for both of them.

  Inside the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas, you will find a large, beautifully-appointed interior that offers a fantastic experience for you and all of your passengers. For 2022, VW has cut the old starting S trim, and now the SE trim is standard, which means you get terrific features even if you pick the base option. There is a tremendous amount of space inside, including nearly 34 inches of legroom in the third row, along with more than 96 cu. ft. of total cargo volume. All models come with a great infotainment display, a digital driver cluster, and luxurious seating, while the available options will make things even better.

  235-276

  Horsepower (hp)

  23

  Fuel Economy (mpg combined)

  96.8

  Cargo Space (cu.ft.)

  Starting at

  $33,475*

• Performance

  

  When looking at a large, three-row SUV, the engine might not be the very first thing you consider, but it is very important. Such a large vehicle needs ample power to be fun and responsive on the road, so you want to choose a model with an impressive engine. Fortunately, the 2022 VW Atlas has not one but two great options, so you can get exactly the type of power and performance that you are looking for.

  Two Engine Options

  The standard engine on the 2022 Atlas is a 2.0L turbocharged I-4 that delivers 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. This is a great place to start, and for a lot of drivers, it is going to provide plenty of power to give you a terrific driving experience. If you want something more, however, then there is an available 3.6L V6 engine that delivers a more robust 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, which makes the Atlas even better on the road. No matter which engine you choose, it comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that is quick and highly responsive to ensure the Atlas feels rewarding to drive.

  Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) comes standard on the 2022 VW Atlas, regardless of which engine you choose, though the trim you pick can impact this. You can get 4MOTION All-Wheel Drive (AWD) on either engine, however, so you have the freedom to get exactly the right combination of power and performance that you are looking for. The standard SE trim features the 2.0L engine with FWD standard and AWD available, while the SE with Technology trim has all four engine combinations available – higher trims feature either the 2.0L or 3.6L engine with AWD standard.

  Fuel Efficiency

  In terms of fuel economy, the VW Atlas is surprisingly efficient, considering its large size and seating for up to seven passengers. That being said, for the best gas mileage, the FWD options beat out those with AWD, but you will get a lot of miles between the gas pump either way. The 2.0L engine is the most efficient option with FWD, getting an estimated 21 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined; meanwhile, the 3.6L engine with FWD gets an estimated 18 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined fuel economy.**

• Interior

  

  When choosing an SUV, it is always important that you consider how much room you need inside so that you can get the most from it. The 2022 VW Atlas occupies an interesting space in the market: it has three rows of seating, but it is not quite as massive as a full-size model. This means you can easily fit it into your life, but you still get a tremendous amount of room inside for passengers and everything you need to take with you.

  Three Rows of Comfortable Seats

  The Atlas has three rows of seating; the standard configuration gives you seats for seven people: two in the front, three in the middle, and two in the rear. The seats in the rear are surprisingly spacious, so even two adults will be quite comfortable in the third row. You can also choose a pair of available captain’s chairs for the second row, rather than the standard bench seat, making the second row more comfortable but reducing overall capacity to six passengers.

  In terms of space, no matter what you choose and how many adults you have with you, you are all going to be quite comfortable. Up in the front row, you and your passenger will have more than 41 inches of headroom and legroom to enjoy. Second-row passengers get just over 40 inches of headroom and more than 37 inches of legroom, while rear-seat passengers get more than 38 inches of headroom and more than 33 inches of legroom. In total, the Atlas has 154 cu. ft. of passenger volume, so everyone can stretch out.

  Room for Cargo

  Cargo space inside the 2022 VW Atlas is equally impressive, letting you easily load up with everything you need. Behind the third row of seats, you get more than 20 cu. ft. of space; even with six or seven people onboard, there is still plenty of room for bags or coolers. With the rear seats down, you get more than 55 cu. ft. of cargo volume behind the second row or more than 96 cu. ft. of total cargo volume behind the front row. This gives you a lot of room to work with and makes it easy to load up for a long road trip, a weekend of camping, or a day of tailgating.

• Features

  

  Since most of your time with your vehicle will be spent inside of it, you always want to consider the kind of standard and available interior options offered on anything you are interested in. For the 2022 model year, the Volkswagen Atlas has been improved thanks to the removal of the S trim that had been standard before. Now starting with the SE trim, you get improved features in the beginning model and some great options available throughout.

  Standard and Optional Features

  The standard SE trim of the Atlas features cruise control, dual-zone climate control, and a 6.5-inch infotainment display standard. You also get rain-sensing automatic wipers, a multifunction steering wheel with mounted controls, and a 10-way power driver’s seat. The SE includes an 8-inch Digital Cockpit display for the driver, a 6-speaker sound system, and a manual liftgate. If you choose the available SE with Technology trim, then you get numerous improvements, including an 8-inch infotainment display, wireless charging pad, and a three-zone climate control system.

  Further upgrades are available on higher trims, like the SEL R-Line and SEL Premium. These trims include heated leather leatherette seats, stainless steel pedal caps, memory settings for the driver’s seat, and an 8-way power front-passenger seat. Higher trims also include Navigation for the infotainment system along with a power liftgate, while the highest trim features a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system for an incredible overall driving experience.

Meet the Atlas at Auburn Volkswagen