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2018 Volkswagen Atlas

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Make
Volkswagen
Model
Atlas
Year
2018
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Volkswagen Atlas OEM Exterior Primary Photo
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Used Car Price Range
$18,477 - $24,998
$18,477 $24,998
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2018 2.0T S 4dr Front-Wheel Drive
most popular
Price:   -  From $30,750
2018 3.6L V6 S 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $32,150
2018 3.6L V6 Launch Edition 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $33,750
2018 2.0T SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $33,840
2018 3.6L V6 S 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $33,950
2018 3.6L V6 SE 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $35,240
2018 3.6L V6 Launch Edition 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $35,550
2018 3.6L V6 SE 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $37,040
2018 2.0T SEL 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $39,410
2018 3.6L V6 SEL 4dr Front-Wheel Drive Price:   -  From $41,140
2018 3.6L V6 SEL 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $42,940
2018 3.6L V6 SEL Premium 4dr All-Wheel Drive 4MOTION Price:   -  From $48,740
Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

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Overview

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.

What's New for 2018

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is an all-new model.

Volkswagen Atlas

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.

Volkswagen Atlas

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.

Volkswagen Atlas

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.

Volkswagen Atlas

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.

Volkswagen Atlas

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.

Volkswagen Atlas

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.

Volkswagen Atlas

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.

Get your price on a Volkswagen Atlas »

author image
Contributing Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Contributing Writer

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

Volkswagen Atlas
  • 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

Volkswagen Atlas
  • 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

Volkswagen Atlas

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.

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 235 HP / 258 ft.lbs.
Transmission
8-spd Tiptronic w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
22 / 26 / 24 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
7
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
2.0L I-4 / 235 HP / 258 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
22 / 26 / 24 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
18.6 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$71
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
96.8 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume
154 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
198.3 "
Exterior Width
78.3 "
Exterior Height
70.0 "
Front Headroom
41.3 "
Rear Headroom
40.4 "
Front Legroom
41.5 "
Rear Legroom
37.6 "
Front Shoulder Room
61.5 "
Rear Shoulder Room
60.8 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
4,222 Lbs.
Wheel Base
117 "
Turning Radius
19.0 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
18.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black W/chrome Accents
Rear Spoiler
Lip
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
7
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Rear Seats
60-40 Split-bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Climatic
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Deep
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
3
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Major Components Months
72 Months / 72,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Corrosion Perforation
84 Months / 100,000 Miles
Accessories Months

Used 2018 Volkswagen Atlas for Sale

7 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Volkswagen
SEL
Color: Red
Price

$18,477

Mileage

82,218 mi

Map location icon

Karplus Warehouse Inc. (23 mi)

Volkswagen
Launch Edition
Color: Platinum Gray Metallic
Price

$19,454

Mileage

85,295 mi

Map location icon

AutoNation INFINITI Tustin (38 mi)

Phone: (888) 211-8977
Volkswagen
3.6L SEL
Color: Red
Price

$19,815

Mileage

82,218 mi

Map location icon

Karplus Warehouse Inc. (23 mi)

Phone: (888) 559-8956
Volkswagen
S
Color: Platinum Gray Metallic
Price

$19,873

Mileage

52,784 mi

Map location icon

Orange Coast Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT (33 mi)

Phone: (714) 733-2388
See All Used Car Listings

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