- Roomy 7-passenger interior
- Full roster of standard and optional safety systems
- New Wi-Fi and telematics system
- Choice of V6 or turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
- Taut yet refined driving manners
- Pricing starts at $31,545 (plus $1,020 destination) | Price yours
The Volkswagen Atlas is still among the freshest midsize 3-row crossover SUVs available, debuting just three years ago. Yet VW’s biggest SUV to date has landed on this list every year of its existence. The 2020 VW Atlas 3-row SUV is again a Best Family Car winner thanks to its roomy interior, refined driving manners, and bold design.
Roomy and accessible
Ever since the VW Atlas debuted for the 2018 model year, we’ve been impressed with its interior roominess. There’s simply a lot of space inside. Moreover, that space is highly usable.
We’ve put the VW Atlas to the ultimate test by having the tallest members of our staff sit in all three rows of the 7-passenger Atlas. Our most elevated, at 6-foot-5, not only fit perfectly fine in the second row, but surprised us all when he then clambered into and fit in the third row – a spot usually reserved for kids.
Beyond the Atlas’ adult-size interior roominess is the accessibility of it all. The second row’s folding and sliding functionality allows for easy entry and exit. That may sound like a minor detail, but when you consider all the seconds and minutes shaved each time the kids get in and out, it adds up over the years.
Then there’s the Atlas’ cargo capacity. While it’s not quite the best in its class, it’s close. And here again, the Atlas excels in the way it uses that room. The Atlas has among the flattest folding seats we’ve seen in a modern crossover. Fold the second and third rows, and you could practically sleep back there.
Safety and tech
In reality, all modern vehicles are safe, and certainly far more so than their predecessors. Nowadays what makes a vehicle stand out has more to do with active safety features, and which are included as standard.
In that regard, we like that all 2020 VW Atlas models come with forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, plus blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. We recommend stepping into an SE with Technology trim, which adds lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, plus helpful features like a power tailgate and remote engine start. Beginning with that trim, you can also opt for second-row captain’s chairs.
New for 2020, all models of VW’s Atlas gain the latest version of the brand’s Car-Net telematics system, which allows remote access via phone, and in-car Wi-Fi (subscription required).
We’re also fans of the VW Digital Cockpit, a configurable, all-digital instrument cluster that can relay everything from audio info and a navigation map to, yes, the traditional stuff like speed and fuel economy. Standard beginning in the SEL trim, it complements the 8-inch central touchscreen.
Choice of engines, crisp manners
The Volkswagen Atlas is made in America, but it is blessed with the German automaker’s European driving manners. And by that we mean it’s tauter, crisper, and simply more enjoyable to drive than the majority of its rivals. Yet its athleticism doesn’t come at the cost of comfort. The Atlas is just as happy on a long family road trip as it is running errands around town.
The Atlas also offers a choice of two engines. The base is a turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 235 horsepower. While that isn’t much, the engine does a better job moving this sizable SUV than we expected.
Still, for family-hauling duties we prefer the 3.6-liter, 276-horsepower V6 that is optional on all models. The V6 can also be had with 4Motion all-wheel drive and a driver-selectable system for road conditions such as snowy or rough roads. With the V6, the Atlas is also rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds – good for when Mom and Dad want to bring along their own set of toys.
More 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
Build and price your own 2020 Volkswagen Atlas to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own and more, or see Volkswagen Atlas models for sale near you.
