Refreshed, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas remains an incredible value. And what’s impressive is that it carries over the same starting MSRP from last year.
Exterior front and rear updates enhance its bold design. And a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is now available on top trims.
Plus full LED lighting is now standard along with next-gen VW Car-Net telematics. Also, extra driver-assist safety features.
- Value
- Technology
- Interior space
My friends at Ontario VW hooked me up with a 2021 VW Atlas SEL Premium with 4MOTION for this review. And, in case you’re wondering, the official color is pure white.
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117.3″ wheelbase & 200.7″ length
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2021 Volkswagen Atlas Trims & Prices
Many trim options are available. In fact, VW offers a total of 15-different trims.
But, in typical VW fashion, they’re all broken down to S, SE, and SEL primary options.
And from there you have engine options. Plus packages like Premium, Technology, and R-Line.
Here are the ranges.
- S: $31,545 to $33,445
- SE: 34,895 to $41,595
- SEL: $42,295 to $48,995
Engines, Transmissions & MPG
2021 Atlas is powered by two different engines.
There’s the 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder. That’s turbocharged and puts out 235 horsepower with 258 pound-feet of torque.
18″ wheels standard – 20 & 21″ wheel available
Also, there’s the bigger V6. And it’s a 3.6L. Putting out 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque.
Either engine will give you the same transmission. And that’s an 8-speed automatic whether you go with front-wheel or all-wheel drive (4MOTION).
Fuel Economy
Efficiency in the fuel consumption department depends on your engine and transmission configuration.
But the turbocharged inline 4-cylinder will give you about 20 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway.
And the bigger V6 is rated to deliver 16 in the city with AWD and up to 23 on the highway with FWD.
2021 VW Atlas Exterior & Updates
Both the front and rear have been spruced-up. A bit bolder looking and more athletic.
Subtle to the uneducated eye. But I’ll point out a difference from last year that’s easy to notice.
78.4″ width & 70.1″ height
So, the three chrome horizontal bars running across the grill. Last year, those were only two. :0)
Other than that the lines are a bit more defined. Specifically the curvature of them.
8″ ground clearance & up to 4,612 lb curb weight
Updates to the rear are tough to identify. But it looks more modern overall.
And if not for the Volkswagen badge it could be mistaken for an Audi.
- Wheelbase 117.3
- Track:
- Front: 67.0
- Rear: 67.6
- Length: 200.7
- Width: 78.4
- Height: 70.1
- Ground clearance: 8.0
*Above inches
Depending on your config, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas has different towing capacities. And they range from 2,000 to 5,000 lbs.
Likewise, your config impacts the vehicle’s total curb weight as well. Ranging from 4,248 to 4,612 lbs.
2021 VW Atlas Interior
Inside the Atlas is huge. Factoring the ample space with a smart and simple VW design provides a very versatile interior.
Up to 96.8 cu-ft of cargo space
Both rows of backseats lay flat. And with nearly 100 cubic-feet of cargo space. Any typical family will be able to haul whatever they need.
33.7″ of third-row legroom
Snapping pictures from the 3rd-row seats was no problem. Because the 3rd-row gives you 33.7-inches of legroom.
37.6″ of legroom in the 2nd-row
And that’s plenty, even for a full-grown adult. Plus getting to the 3rd-row seating is easy.
So, if you go with captains chairs in the 2nd-row you are left with one-less total seating capacity. But those captains chairs are comfortable.
61.5″ 1st-row shoulder room
So the interior of my Atlas SEL Premium was the Titan Black & Quartzite Leather. And I found it to be quality to the touch.
Also, the seats were both comfortable and breathable on a hot Inland Empire day. :0) Plus the white accent stitching is a classy touch.
- Headroom: 41.3/40.4/38.3
- Shoulder room: 61.5/60.8/54.9
- Legroom: 41.7/37.9/33.7
*All inches
Infotainment Technology in 2021 VW Atlas
Perhaps my favorite tech element in the 2020 VW Atlas is the available digital cockpit.
A feature that’s long been part of Audis (VW’s luxe sibling) it greatly enhances your driving experience.
Available digital cockpit
By allowing you to customize your in-dash display it delivers a more evolved sense of motoring. What’s more, is that you can save different profiles.
And I love that. Because my wife would have one profile. And I’d have two. One for my daily driving and one for my extended highway runs.
VW Car-Net telematics standard
Additionally, Volkswagen’s Car-Net telematics is now standard across all trims.
And that’s significant because the best parts of that subscription service are free for the first 5-years.
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
Plus, the 2021 Atlas can come packed with driver assistance and safety technology.
- Forward collision warning & auto emergency braking w/ pedestrian monitoring
- Blindspot monitor w/ rear traffic alert
- Automatic post-collision braking
- Rearview camera
Available:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Park distance control
- Park steering assist
- High beam control
- Traffic jam assist
- Dynamic road sign display
- Overhead view camera
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Top-3
- Value: The overall package that VW’s Atlas offers has always been tough to beat. A non-luxury European rival simply doesn’t exist.
- Technology: The safety tech is great. But the digital cockpit really pivots the driving experience. Giving us a taste of what the future will bring.
- Interior space: This midsize rivals the inside space of some full-size SUVs. And that’s impressive. But it’s not just raw space. It’s easily converted for people or stuff.
Courtesy of Ontario VW
And for your 2021 VW Atlas go see my friends at Ontario Volkswagen. They’re in Southern California’s Inland Empire. Right by the Ontario Airport.
