2022 Volkswagen Atlas Review: Is the Atlas a Good Car For You?

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is a comfortable three-row vehicle fit for busy families who still want plenty of style on the road. With a comfortable, spacious cabin, a shocking amount of cargo capacity, and a host of customizable technology features, the latest Atlas is a midsize SUV that feels larger than life. Read on to learn more about what this perky family SUV offers and what kinds of drivers might get the most out of it.

Powerful Exterior Design

Image used with permission via Media.VW.com

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas‘ exterior has plenty of personality. This midsize SUV has an upright, boxy body with rounded angles and tall wheels that give it a powerful presence on the road. You can tell even from the outside that the Atlas prioritizes space. Known for being especially large inside and out, the SUV boasts high ceilings, plus it comes with flashy silver details for some eye-catching style. It’s a chic vehicle for the busy, modern family which isn’t quite the minivan type.

If you’re looking for an SUV that can keep up with your family’s sporty weekend excursions, the Atlas might be a match. The base trim, the SE, comes with black roof rails, and the higher trims replace them with silver roof rails. All trims come with heated side mirrors and LED headlights, giving you plenty of visibility in any conditions. The SE comes in five paint colors, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Platinum Gray Metallic, Tourmaline Blue Metallic, Deep Black Pearl, and Pure White. The other trims all offer two additional attention-grabbing options, the Aurora Red Metallic and Racing Green Metallic.

Interior Built for the Ambitious

The feature that wows most people about the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is the massive interior. If space is your concern, the Atlas might be your solution. If you spend your afternoons running from work to the grocery to soccer practice, you might need trunk space for sports equipment and shopping bags. Maybe you take regular road trips, and the time you spend squeezing the whole family’s luggage puts you behind schedule. Do you have a furry friend who hates being left out? No matter how you use your rear cargo space, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas makes sure you have enough.

With all three rows of seats up, you have 20.6 cubic feet of space. If you put down the third row of seats, it rises to 55.5 cubic feet, and with both rows down, it reaches an impressive 96.8 feet. If your everyday drives involve less luggage and more people, don’t fret. There’s a reason the Volkswagen Atlas catches buyers’ attention as a family-friendly SUV. You can fit up to seven passengers in the 2022 Atlas with reclining seats and synthetic leatherette upholstery. The third row isn’t just for kids, either. Passengers up to six feet tall can fit comfortably.

The front seats come heated on all trims, and you can add heating to the rear seats with an upgrade. The middle row features latch connectors on all three seats, so you can easily secure car seats for your smallest passengers. All models come with interior features like climate control and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat so you can adjust the cabin to your liking. Higher trims come with ambient lighting, power outlets, and ventilation on the front seats, so if comfort is your priority, consider opting for the luxe SEL Premium R-Line.

Pick Your Engine

The base engine on the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is a two-liter four-cylinder engine. It comes with front-wheel drive, and it delivers 235 horsepower. While it’s not a work truck or a sporty off-roader, the Atlas offers more agility and strength than you might expect from a family-friendly SUV of its size. If you don’t want engine noise competing with backseat chatter or your favorite podcast, consider opting for the 3.6-liter V6 engine. This sophisticated engine comes standard on R-Line and the Premium R-Line trims and reaches up to 276 horsepower.

Both engine options are serviceable, but if you’re having trouble choosing, reflect on your lifestyle. If you mostly make quick trips around the neighborhood and want an affordable engine that gets great fuel economy, the four-cylinder engine should take care of you. However, if you’re looking for quick acceleration speeds and maximum power, even when that car’s packed to the brim, the V6 might be better for you.

Technology for the Family

It’s not a family-friendly SUV if it doesn’t come with a host of modern technology options that can keep riders of all ages entertained. Whether you want to sing along with the soundtrack to your family’s latest favorite movie, catch up on the news on your drive to work, or chat with friends on a hands-free phone call, the standard infotainment system has you covered. The Atlas comes with a 6.5-inch touch screen that offers streaming audio from your phone via Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

A Wi-Fi hotspot comes standard, so your passengers can surf the web, do homework, or watch videos from the backseat. For a next-level entertainment experience that keeps the attention of even the highest-energy passengers, consider opting for the Technology Package on the SE. This adds available features like the twelve-speaker system, HD radio, extra USB ports for the rear rows, an 8-inch screen, and wireless charging. These features come standard on the upper trims.

If you’re choosing the Atlas to accommodate your family, chances are you want to make sure it can keep them safe, too. The midsize SUV maintains its status as a family-friendly option with a host of clever safety technology features. Standard tools like blind-spot monitoring, a rear camera, forward automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert keep you aware of potential hazards. If you want extra assurance, consider extra features like parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, hands-free park assist, and an upgraded 360-degree camera. These high-tech safety features help you stay focused even with a cabin full of passengers.

If you’re tired of piling your family into a sedan they’re outgrowing, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas might be a breath of fresh air. With plenty of room to stretch your legs, plug in your devices, and store your valuables, this midsize SUV is fit for family trips both long and short. If you’re sold on the latest Atlas for your next vehicle, stop by Volkswagen of Marion in Marion, Illinois, and explore our inventory. Our friendly team is eager to help you find an Atlas with all the features you want at a price you can afford.