The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is large, roomy, and big on utility, offering customers something the brand has long lacked – a three-row, seven-passenger SUV. But while the Atlas arrives late to the party, it supplies Volkswagen with the vehicle it needs to keep Tiguan and Passat owners loyal. Or at least, that's the hope.
CarsDirect Pricing Insider
What you must know before buying the Volkswagen Atlas- All-new 2018 Atlas is here; few trims carried in stock
- Cashback: $500 for select customers
- Finance: From 1.9% APR for 60 months
- Lease: From $299 per month for 36 months
New arrival:
The 2018 Atlas continues to roll into dealerships; however, our analysis shows that the S V6 and most versions of the 2.0T are primarily available via special order. So although the model boasts a low starting MSRP, expect most versions of available stock at dealerships to be in the mid-to-high $30,000 range.
Current offers are regional and expire April 30, 2018. Our examples are based on those for Western States.
Extra credit:
A $500 bonus is available for qualified military and first responders.
In addition, new college graduates (i.e. graduated in the past 24 months) with proof of permanent, full-time income are eligible to receive a $500 credit on new financing or lease contracts signed with Volkswagen Credit.
Get 1.9% APR:
Well-qualified shoppers can finance their Atlas from 1.9% APR for up to 60 months, or 2.9% APR for 72 months. These are fairly normal introductory rates for a newly-released vehicle.
Note that these promotional rates may not be available in some states, but dealers in those areas have been authorized to discount their Atlas inventories instead. So, if you’re shopping in an area without access to these low rates, be sure to be a strong negotiator on price.
Lease promotions:
This month, you can lease a 2018 Atlas S from $299 per month for 36 months with a 12,000-mile-per-year allowance and $3,299 due at signing (previously $309 for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing and 10,000 miles per year). This equates to an effective cost of $391, which is still a poor value.
Outside of Western states, leases tend to be around $10-20/month more expensive. Opting for all-wheel drive often adds about $30/month in most cases regardless of where you live.
New arrival:
The 2018 Atlas continues to roll into dealerships; however, our analysis shows that the S V6 and most versions of the 2.0T are primarily available via special order. So although the model boasts a low starting MSRP, expect most versions of available stock at dealerships to be in the mid-to-high $30,000 range.
Current offers are regional and expire April 30, 2018. Our examples are based on those for Western States.
Extra credit:
A $500 bonus is available for qualified military and first responders.
In addition, new college graduates (i.e. graduated in the past 24 months) with proof of permanent, full-time income are eligible to receive a $500 credit on new financing or lease contracts signed with Volkswagen Credit.
Get 1.9% APR:
Well-qualified shoppers can finance their Atlas from 1.9% APR for up to 60 months, or 2.9% APR for 72 months. These are fairly normal introductory rates for a newly-released vehicle.
Note that these promotional rates may not be available in some states, but dealers in those areas have been authorized to discount their Atlas inventories instead. So, if you’re shopping in an area without access to these low rates, be sure to be a strong negotiator on price.
Lease promotions:
This month, you can lease a 2018 Atlas S from $299 per month for 36 months with a 12,000-mile-per-year allowance and $3,299 due at signing (previously $309 for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing and 10,000 miles per year). This equates to an effective cost of $391, which is still a poor value.
Outside of Western states, leases tend to be around $10-20/month more expensive. Opting for all-wheel drive often adds about $30/month in most cases regardless of where you live.
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2018 Volkswagen Atlas Overview
What's New for 2018
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is an all-new model.
Choosing Your Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen offers the 2018 Atlas in five grades, plus a special launch edition: S, Launch Edition, SE, SE with Technology, SEL, and SEL Premium. Seating for seven is standard. The standard cargo space measures 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 55.5 cubic feet behind the second row. Fold down both the second and third rows and the 2018 Atlas offers 96.8 cubic feet of cargo carrying capacity.
Two engine choices are available. The base engine is a late-arriving 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. As we reported previously, the 2.0-liter base engine is a special-order item for 2018. A 3.6-liter V6 with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque will represent the bulk of Atlas sales and adds $1,400 to the starting price wherever it's optional. Both engines work alongside a standard eight-speed automatic and send their power to the front axle – all-wheel drive is an available option with the V6 for $1,800 across the range.
The Atlas' option list is short, sweet, and only offered as late-availability items, later in the 2018 model year. Owners can get a sporty looking R-Line styling package for $1,960 on the SE and SEL trims. Black 20-inch alloys are also available on the SEL and SEL Premium, as a $995 or $235 option, respectively. And in the cabin, customers are limited to a pair of captain's chairs – they're available for $625 on SE and above models and reduce the Atlas from a seven-passenger vehicle to a six-passenger one.
S
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas launched in May 2017, but not all models are available immediately. The base S grade arrives in late summer and comes with a standard 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Priced from $31,425 (including a $925 destination charge), this grade includes 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, a rearview camera, two USB ports, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a six-speaker audio system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Cloth upholstery is standard. Upgrading to the V6 engine adds $1,400 and is a requirement to grab the $1,800 all-wheel-drive system.
Launch Edition
Based on the Atlas S, the Launch Edition is available with front- or all-wheel drive and the 3.6-liter V6 engine only. The all-wheel-drive system adds $1,800 to the $33,425 starting price. This package adds a panoramic sunroof, an eight-inch infotainment system, and SiriusXM satellite radio to the Atlas S' standard equipment.
SE
Starting at $34,515 for the turbocharged four-cylinder, the Atlas SE builds on the S by adding automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, heated side mirrors, heated washer nozzles, keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, heated leatherette seats, a 10-way power driver’s seat, rear sunshades, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eight-speaker audio, satellite radio, and three additional USB ports. You'll also find a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
SE with Technology
Priced from $36,615, the SE with Technology is the most affordable way to get an Atlas with advanced, active safety features. Those include big, important ones like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring. Lane departure warning is also standard. Other upgrades include remote start, a power liftgate, additional USB ports, and three-zone climate control.
SEL
With a starting price of $40,085, the SEL builds on the SE with Technology model, bringing in an eight-way power front passenger seat, park assist, and a 115-volt outlet in the second-row center console.
SEL Premium
The SEL Premium is the only model providing a standard V6 engine with all-wheel drive. Priced from $49,415, this grade pulls out all the stops, bringing in 20-inch wheels, LED taillights, power-folding door mirrors with a heating feature and puddle lights, a trailer hitch, leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, park assist, an area view camera, a panoramic sunroof, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. Also included is Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a simplified version of Audi Virtual Cockpit that replaces the traditional gauges with a 12.3-inch display.
CarsDirect Tip
All-wheel drive is a popular choice in this segment, so with the Atlas you must choose the V6 engine to acquire it. The Atlas SE with Technology offers the most asked for amenities in this class, including advanced driver assistance features and represents arguably the best value in the Atlas range. Take the V6 option with standard all-wheel drive and you’ll pay about $40,000 for one.
Our Take: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee and intended primarily for the US market, the all-new 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is the automaker's first three-row crossover SUV. But despite its muscular looks and family-friendly space, poor fuel economy and cheap-looking interior materials could hamper its coming-out party.
Best Value
Prices for the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas start at $31,425 (including a $950 destination charge) for the late-availability, front-drive S model equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. That expands to $50,040 for a 3.6-liter V6-powered SEL Premium model with all-wheel drive and the optional second-row captain's chairs.
We believe that the $39,815 V6-equipped, all-wheel-drive SE model with the Technology Package (adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, power liftgate, automatic climate control, remote start, auto-dimming rearview mirror) offers buyers the best bang for the buck. Headlining features for the SE Technology Package three-zone climate control, a power liftgate, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
- Model:Atlas SE
- Engine:3.6-liter V6
- Output:276 hp / 266 lb-ft
- Transmission:Eight-speed automatic
- Exterior color:Platinum Gray Metallic
- Interior color:Titan Black
- Options:none
- Base Price:$39,815
- As Tested:$39,815
Performance Pros
- Fully-independent suspension does a nice job of absorbing most bumps and handles uneven road surfaces nicely.
- Steering can be adjusted for more weight, while transmission downshifts can be programmed for better performance.
- Factory package ups towing capability to a robust 5,000 pounds.
Performance Cons
- Even with eight inches of ground clearance, the Atlas isn't designed for serious off-road jaunts.
- All-wheel drive isn't available with the base 2.0-liter turbo engine.
- Even in front-wheel drive guise, fuel economy from the 2.0-liter turbo (EPA-estimated 22 miles per gallon in the city, 26 on the highway, and 24 combined) and the 3.6-liter V6 (EPA-estimated 18 miles per gallon in the city, 25 on the highway, and 20 combined) is at the low end of the class.
Interior Pros
- Best in class second and third row room and ease of ingress and egress.
- Front seats are especially comfortable with long cushions that offer plenty of leg support.
- For extra convenience, a child seat can be left in the second row seats, even when they're tilted forward for third row access.
Interior Cons
- Only the top trim SEL comes with leather seating, and even then the grain is rather coarse.
- The interior of the Atlas lacks the quality of materials found in class leaders like the Honda Pilot.
- Road noise – primarily from the tires - is readily apparent in the second row.
Our Favorite Thing
Second- and third-row passenger space is class-leading.
Our Least Favorite Thing
Disappointing interior materials put the Atlas near the back of the class.
Right For
A smooth ride, plenty of interior room, and a third row that's actually comfortable for adults make the latest Atlas a good choice for families.
Wrong For
Although advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning are standard on the SEL, they're part of a $2,100 Technology Package on the SE and not available at all on the base S trim.
The Bottom Line
Volkswagen finally gets a three-row crossover. But coming late to the party with a low-budget interior and poor fuel economy means the Atlas will be facing an uphill battle against more established brands competitors.
