Volkswagen has only recently brought an SUV with three rows of seating into their lineup and while the Tiguan now offers the option of a third row, the 2019 VW Atlas is the true full-sized SUV that families all over the world have been waiting for! The introduction of the Atlas in 2018 model year was the third SUV in Volkswagen’s line up, when most other brands have at least three and sometimes up to five or six.
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas has indeed made a splash and is fiercely competing to take away some market share from the established three row SUVs currently on the market such as the Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer.
RUGGED EXTERIOR
Visually, the 2019 VW Atlas shares many similarities with the Audi Q7. The front end of the 2019 Atlas has a rectangular grille carried over straight from its concept design, but VW modified it a bit to fit the production car’s design better. The end result is an overall square front end that suits the brutish character of the SUV, with the square headlights, an elegant chrome grille and the fog light fascia section all nicely integrated into the front end.
The bulky profile of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas exudes a brutish and solid persona. The low and wide stance, slightly sloped roofline, dual exhaust and front and side contour lines all tie into a bold and pronounced exterior that’s a welcomed change from the typical sleekly styled modern designs. The side profile very much resembles a Range Rover with a long rectangular body accompanied by a sloped tailgate.
SLEEK INTERIOR
The first, unmistakable thing you notice when you enter the cabin of the 2019 Atlas, is just how enormous the interior feels. Often large SUVs end up sacrificing interior space for the sake of angular design, and you end up feeling disappointed with the lack of useable interior space. Definitely not so with the Atlas! The tall and wide cabin is bright and spacious with plenty leg, knee, elbow and shoulder room to seat a full load of adult passengers comfortably. Easy access to the third row seating is provided by a generously sized opening created from a fold and slide function on the second row seats (or a middle aisle with the second row captains seats).
The materials used in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas are top notch and have an elegant design to them. A combination of polished black, chrome and wood grain adorn the interior along with soft touch, double stitched leather. A huge display sits squarely in the center of the console, removing the clutter of buttons and dials, while large chrome trimmed rectangular air vents are scattered across the full width of the dash. The controls and design are all put together in a logical and straightforward manner with great ergonomics and everything where you would expect it to be. While the over dash design is more utilitarian than unique and special, I found it a refreshing change to have a simple and uncluttered dash from which to operate the controls.
As a daily driver, the 2019 Atlas provides a very functional driving experience with firm and beautifully stitched leather seats providing a supportive and comfortable ride over long distances. Many storage areas are spread throughout the center console and doors in the front middle and rear to allow for many items being stored securely and out of the way. My favorite feature is the enormous driver’s display spanning the full width of the gauges.
ENGINE AND DRIVE
The Atlas’ base engine option is a 2.0L turbocharged four cylinder engine creating 235hp. This entry level engine is a perfect choice for passenger hauling as well as up to 2,000lbs of towing capacity and overall is more than capable of moving the rather large Atlas at a decent pace. If you’re after more performance, the 3.6L V6 engine outputting 280hp will surely impress. With a lot more torque, it creates a lot of power for impressive accelerations, even with a full load. Also, it can haul anything you require with a 5,000lbs towing capacity.
On the road, the Atlas feels large, but never cumbersome. It copes in most situations with ease and clearly exudes the feel of driving a Volkswagen. A perfect amount of stiffness to absorb bumps, a solid and true handling feel with decent steering feedback and a responsive acceleration all combine to provide an enjoyable driving experience. The larger size of the 2019 Atlas does provide some drawbacks like a slower acceleration and a higher fuel consumption, but this is to be expected from a full sized SUV.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As a model targeted to the North American market, complementing the Tiguan and the Touareg, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is nicely equipped at a base price of $36,740. While it staying true to the VW driving experience, you also benefit from a high quality build backed by German engineering and an enormous and versatile interior.
