What Features Come Standard on the Volkswagen Atlas?
If you think that the only thing VW produces is Bugs and VW microbuses, think again. The company has been steadily inserting itself into all types of popular vehicles and enjoying a great deal of success. The company created the VW Atlas to reach the SUV and crossover market. Features that attract drivers to this particular vehicle are the fact that it has quite a bit of interior space, making it a good choice for tall drivers and that there is a surprising amount of storage/passenger space.
Several attractive features come standard on the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas.
The features you’ll find in the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen made some changes to the Atlas. The 2020 Atlas is a 2.8 inches smaller than previous versions.
Features that come standard with the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas include:
- 17 cup holders
- 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 60/40-split seats
- 20.6 cubic-feet of space behind the last row of seats
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- 18″ triple 5-spoke alloy wheels
- Remote power tailgate
- Hands-free tailgate
- USB ports
- Climatronic® 3-zone automatic climate control
- VW Car-Net® Security & Service
- Light assist
- Lane assist
- Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking
- Rear Traffic Alert
- Automatic LED headlights
- Automatic wipers
- Six-way manual driver seat
- Six-speaker sound system
The 2020 VW Atlas’s base price is set at $32,565. In addition to the base model, which is called the Volkswagen Atlas S, there are six additional trim options. The most expensive is the Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium which sells for $50,215.
One of the really nice “features” VW has attached to the 2020 Atlas is a warranty that transfers to the new owner should you decide to sell your Atlas. The transferrable warranty makes the vehicle easier to sell. The warranty is a 6-year/72,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Is the Volkswagen Atlas a nice vehicle
If you’re looking for a reliable crossover, the Atlas is a sound choice. Traits that reviewers liked about the 2020 version include:
- That there was ample cargo and passenger room
- How easily it adapted to the road
- Smooth handling
- The braking system
- Multiple cup holders
- That there was enough space to accommodate tall adults
While reviews have been favorable, that doesn’t mean the Atlas is perfect. There’s always a little bad mixed with the good. In this case, things reviewers would like to have changed include:
- Fuel economy which is low when compared to other vehicles in this class
- They would have preferred a smoother ride
How safe is the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety considers the VW Atlas to be a very safe family vehicle. Based on how the Atlas performed in collision tests, they’ve awarded the Atlas with the best possible rating. Not only does this mean you and your family are safe each time you hit the road, but that you’ll also enjoy reasonably priced auto insurance.
How does Consumer Reports feel about the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas
On paper, the Atlas looks like a wonderful vehicle, but when you take a look at Consumer Reports, it’s easy to start second-guessing yourself. With an overall rating of 61 out of 100, the Atlas is ranked 21 out of 26 mid-sized sport-utility vehicles. The customer satisfaction is three out of five and it only scored one out of five for predicted reliability.
The predicted reliability score is particularly troubling since today’s drivers are more conscious about the cost and hassle connected to maintaining and repairing cars than previous generations. They want a car that doesn’t require a great deal of maintenance. Consumer Reports cites concerns about the power equipment, in-car power electronics, body integrity, and the fuel system as the reason for the low rating. It’s important to note, that Consumer Report uses data collected from previous versions of the Atlas when compiling the reliability score. It’s possible that with the 2020 Atlas, VW has corrected all of these concerns.
Have you owned an Atlas? If so, how much did you like this VW crossover? Is it a vehicle you’ll buy again?
