Preview: The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas

Alan Davis 02/17/2026 1:34pm

Volkswagen is preparing a complete redesign of its biggest SUV, the 2027 Atlas, set for a full reveal at the 2026 New York International Auto Show.
A recent preview at Lake Sacacomie, Quebec, showcased camouflage-covered early prototypes and vague details from Volkswagen to gauge how the brand is transforming its three-row family hauler.

Exterior: A More Modern, Angular Atlas

VW confirms that the 2027 Atlas receives all-new exterior sheet metal, except for the roof, representing the most dramatic change since the nameplate debuted in 2017. Volkswagen cloaked the design in colorful winter‑testing camouflage. This bright, vibrant wrap made it difficult to discern full styling details, but it clearly masks a more muscular, boxier stance.

The update follows the recently redesigned Tiguan compact crossover, with its striking angular fascia and sleek headlights. Compared to the ’26 model, the new Atlas appears to gain a split front grille while losing the full-width rear taillights and pronounced exhaust tips. These are prototypes, so nothing is final.

Platform & Powertrain

The 2027 Atlas is transitioning to the MQB Evo platform, a shared modular design of its transverse-engine, front- and 4-wheel-drive (FWD and 4WD) automobiles, maintaining the same wheelbase and a similar overall footprint to the outgoing model. Power comes from a 2.0-liter EA888 Evo5 turbocharged 4‑cylinder, the fifth generation of VW’s long-standing performance engine family. The Atlas will share this engine with the latest Tiguan, where it produces 268 hp and 258 lb‑ft of torque.

While the company hasn’t confirmed the 2027 Atlas’s power output, Volkswagen has hinted at increased power for the larger vehicle. Rumors also suggest that no hybrid powertrain will appear at launch, though VW is expanding hybrid options elsewhere in its lineup.

Interior: A Complete Redesign

The 2027 Atlas receives an all-new interior, but we were not allowed to take any photos inside the cars we were driving. Expect to see a tech-forward cabin with larger screens, next-generation infotainment similar to the new Tiguan, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, and upgraded driver‑assistance technologies. Hopefully, it will include more dedicated buttons and fewer touch-sensitive controls—one common complaint from KKB testers.

Adult-Friendly Third Row

KBB identifies the 2026 Atlas as one of the roomiest three-row SUVs, with genuine adult-friendly third‑row seating and up to 96.6 cu ft of cargo space. With VW confirming similar dimensions for 2027, the next Atlas is poised to preserve its strongest functional advantage.

Driving Impressions

Given the 2027 model’s preview on the ice of Lake Sacacomie, regular driving impressions will have to wait. But we enjoyed the Atlas’s long wheelbase and stable driving manners on the slippery lake surface. The powertrain provided more than enough power to pull us out of several snow drifts, and we pushed the ABS braking system to its limits, as several drivers noted the aroma of burnt brake pads hanging over the frigid test track.

Market Positioning & Competition

With strong challengers like the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot, Toyota Grand Highlander, and GMC Terrain, Volkswagen appears focused on elevating both perceived quality and technology while retaining the Atlas’s trademark spaciousness. We were also told that the redesigned two-row Atlas Cross Sport would debut later in 2026, further reinforcing VW’s multi-pronged SUV strategy.