Used 2018 Volkswagen Atlas Consumer Reviews

In the shop again

The car is comfy, looks nice. We bought the 3rd one In Colorado after they launched this model. It’s been in the shop several times. Electrical issues was the first. Next coolant light. Took it in, they said head gasket was bad. Then, after it was at the dealership for a few days, they said they had to order a new cylinder head. Had it back a few weeks now and it was leaking oil on our garage floor. Took it back in. They claim it’s mot oil and that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. WHATS NEXT???? The car has 40k miles. Luckily it’s under warranty. My concern is when it’s out of warranty, what are we going to be stuck having to pay for? FAR TOO many problems for a brand new car.

Plastic gas tank exposed to open road

I have a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas that developed a leak from the gas tank. I must have hit something because there is a slit in the tank. The tank seems very thin and is exposed to the road. I was on vacation when this happened and there were no gas tanks in the U.S.A., so i epoxied it to get me home. It sat at the dealers for 2 weeks before they got a tank out of Germany. $1827.00 dollars later I have a new plastic gas tank, still exposed to the open road. I don't feel totally safe in this car now. I really enjoy driving it but I only had it 2 days when it had to go in and have the fuel pump replaced. The doors do not allow you to push the lock button as you get out and lock the doors. You have to touch the handle and sometimes it is very picky. The phone system often sounds like an alien is calling. they checked and say they can not duplicate that, but it happens all the time.

Feels like an old car right off the lot

Unhappy with mine and want to get rid of it. I switched to a 2019 Atlas V6 AWD from my old but beloved SUV from an Asian manufacturer I will not name, but one of the standard brands. The strengths of this car are that it is very spacious inside but the choice of trim is stacked against the buyer. More on the later, but it feels like they sat around thinking of all the ways they could chisel more cash from the buyer by cramming extras into the purchase, compared to a stripped down base model no one wants. Strengths: it handles well for such a beast and drives smoothly, with good steering and only average brakes. It doesn't feel sluggish, and I do appreciate how it handles in the rain, which is great. I also like that the car seems very sturdy, almost like a tank, that you definitely feel when you open and close the door -- probably twice as heavy as my previous SUV. So the Germans are doing something right at least in terms of quality. None of that wins me over from this car's many design faults. VW simply has not figured out how to compete in the US market. I presume they think bigger is better for us wasteful Americans but price point matters and so does performance, and I will never buy another VW after this experience. I prefer literally any Asian manufacturer for both price and performance to this functional but sad vehicle to drive. Regarding the trim options: to get somewhat decent interior (there are no truly luxurious interiors), you are forced to spend $2000 extra for a "technology package" features that are completely useless. Add to that underwhelming interior features even in the higher trims. The other option, if you don't want the technology package, is the cheapo-supremo trim, which I opted for (basic model). Part of this is my fault: I actually drove the SEL but agreed to buy a standard trim from another lot because I needed AWD and there was nothing on the lot for me and I didn't feel like waiting months to order one. I assumed at the price charged, it would be at least as good as my old SUV and that it would be similar enough to the SEL without the forced buy ins. I was wrong. I was sad about my purchase from day one. My first moment was one of shock to find the interior is so cheap. There is not even driver side front electric seat, which is unforgivable. I literally could not believe it. Everything else is manual too, including AC and radio. It feels like a car from 1986! And don't expect useful dashboard features: when the tire pressure changed due to weather I did get an alert, but unlike my trusty Asian SUV this one doesn't even indicate which tires are low so I had to get out and check each one. A good sensor system seems to be a fairly small ask. Another problem is my on-screen mileage estimate remains constant at 15 mph for all mileage even though when you track individual drive distance, it seems to give more accurate readings. In short I have no idea what my mileage is except that is it pretty awful for city driving and I am constantly filling it up. Another thing they downgraded for the lower trim were the rims, which irritates me. Basically with the Atlas, I can't find a trim that has what I want, and nothing I don't want, and I won't pay VW for things I don't want. Another thing that is totally unforgivable is the very poor AC. As with other VWs I have owned, the heater works but the AC is simply inadequate for a hot climate. The higher trim models have heated seats but they can't put in a decent AC system. It was under warranty at least so I had to spend all day waiting for them to test it, and they claim there is no problem, but the car is an oven unless I put it on full blast with open vents to the face. I guess it is colder in Germany. Finally, regarding the external feature mine came with a pinstripe -- a factory double pinstripe that includes a little VW logo. It makes the car look even more like a cheap car, which it is in most regards but the price. So, while I have owned several VWs over the years, and generally liked them, I hate the Atlas and can't wait to trade it for an SUV with better value.

Ssurprised

As far as value, great price for a large suv/All wheel drive

VW Hit It Out of the Park!

If you are looking for a 3-row SUV, make VW your last stop as that’s what you will buy! Excellent buy for the money. Easy to drive and great for the family.

My Blue Beauty (tourmaline blue) 2018 Altas

l LOVE MY 2018 ATLAS! I love everything about it! The look, style, color, comfort.... everything!

Poor build quality of new VW Atlas

Nice car not reliable

Almost a year with car and engine oil started leaking. Car turns off by itself. When came to a stop car turned off, took a while to get it running again. It’s upsetting because you dont expect these issues with a brand new car

Atlas SEL Premium

Everything is great but the interior finishes look cheap. The dashboard and the seat material are not up to any luxury car standards. The 3rd Row seats have less legroom and could be an issue if used regularly. Love the drive assist technology in the car.

Safety feature

I have had my volkswagon atlas for 8 months. With it being a family, vehicle I don’t like how the car can be shut off driving down the road with the inconvenient placement of the push start button in the open. Also with the business of life, the sound to shut the engine off and the sound to put your vehicle in park are the same. Sometimes your mom brain just wants to stop the noise and before you know t your car is rolling forward quietly. Poor safety feature.

Still very good

UPDATE: Update 2: around 27,000 miles, tires still good, but constant low-pressure tire warning. Filled tires with air due to low pressure warning, but still getting warning signal. All tires are sufficiently full, but warning still on. Even after rotating the tires, the warning light for the same rear passenger tire location is still on. Hopefully this will get reset when i take it in, but this is irritating. 2018 VW Atlas SE still nearly flawless after 20k miles. Tires wearing appropriately, gas mileage has actually improved. Two negatives i’ve noticed: (1) There is a rattling from the front center air ducts, especially in the stop portion of the start/stop mode. (2) the A/C loses power and does not maintain cold temps under continual use in hot weather. This is a big one, as i live in South Florida. VW needs to fix this if it hasn’t. No Other complaints, overall a great vehicle and incredible value. I purchased the 2018 2.0T Atlas SE Trim, based on reviews from experts, my personal test drives, and it's amazing value. I had been searching for an SUV that was large enough to comfortably handle actual humans and not digitally-drawn people, able to hold lots of luggage on occasion, delivered decent gas mileage, but also was available at an affordable price, provided a strong warranty and was aesthetically pleasing to the eye. For me, that search quickly ended when I drove the 2.0 Atlas. I test drove and researched a wide variety of both larger "small" SUVs such as the CRV and Rogue, as well as mid-size offerings including the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Sorrento, Santa Fe, Tiguan, and Equinox, and a few larger choices such as the Acadia and Traverse. Nothing came close to the 2.0 Atlas overall. All my boxes were checked...18" alloys, very nice leatherette, super easy on the eyes, push button start, stop/start, decent gas mileage for a big, beautiful SUV, incredible 6yr/72k warranty, huge 2nd row, 3rd row as well (or a giant back area with the 3rd row down). But the best part?..., I paid $29,999 plus taxes a typical dealer fee, transport, etc. for an all-in, out of the door price of $33,700! Boom!! Absolutely no issues with power, this Turbo sounds good and puts out over 260 f/p of torque. Unless you are towing, you won't need (or want) the heavier, bulkier V6. One note of warning.., gas mileage around town is not as advertised although it IS getting better! I highly recommend this vehicle.

I LOVE MY ATLAS!

I love my 2018 Atlas! It’s roomy enough to fit the whole family, with plenty of leg room for adults even in the third row because you are able to slide the middle seats forward if needed. Cargo area is amazingly large and fits just about anything you want to haul! It’s fun and easy to drive. Turns and parks just as easy as my Wrangler did, and the rear camera is super helpful! I love the blind spot assist when traveling in crazy fast traffic! Edmunds didn’t give it a good review for get up and go, but I have the optional Turbo Boost and that really makes a difference! I’ve gotten so many compliments on my Atlas. She looks sleek and modern, and her interior looks luxurious without the extra cost!! Volkswagen has the best Warranty we have ever had in a vehicle!! Very pleased customer!!

Great 3rd Row!

Over all the car is great. Amazing cargo space. Love the panoramic roof. Takes a while to get used to all the lane control etc...I personally think there's a lack of cup holders.

Might as well be a lemon

I am the second owner. The first flag should have been that the last owner sold it less than 2 years and 20k miles. The vehicle had several service appointments around 15k - "shift linkage repaired" and "front exhaust pipe replaced". The second flag: Four months after I got it, it was with the dealer for service for a month because the EPC light kept turning on and they couldn't get the fuel line part to fix it. They said it would become eligible for VW buy back and VW would reach out. They didn't. When I reached out to them, the dealer suddenly got the part and returned the car. The factory tires only survived for about 45k miles and then the steel belts started popping one after another. The third flag: At 67k, the EPC light starts coming on again. This time they say it's a fuel injector. At 81k, it's the check engine light, but similar behavior. Cylinder 2 misfire code, but they say there's no misfire it just needs a software update. Since VW has some of the lowest warranty mileage - 72k - they try and charge you for the software update! Looks like it's even worse on newer models! 50k now! It also turns out VW has a bunch of electronics hooked up to their 12v batteries like a hybrid or EV even though it's neither. $450 for a simple battery replacement! I cannot recommend this car or brand to anyone.

Is this really German engineering

Bought a 2018 used VW Atlas with 52k on it. All well, nice ride lots of room.....But, 6 months after warranty we had not 1 but 2 fuel pumps go on it. Price $1858.00 parts/labour/tax. I am afraid that this vehicle is going to cost a lot of money to maintain. btw the odometer reading is under 70k. Looking to a domestic suv.

Better than expected

we bought our atlas in its introduction year, there was no data to read reviews etc, so we gambled on VW advertisement and brand reputation ,,I can gladly say that it hasn’t disappoint the atlas is one of the most comfortable cars I’ve ever owned, , we go to the snow quite a bit, the all wheel drive system has been solid in all snowing conditions, fuel economy higher than advertised by VW in one of our mostly highway trips we average a little over 26mpg and street driving 14-18 but considering the size of the vehicle it’s not bad” ,, also it has been reliable (had a couple of recalls which VW took care) but overall we’re very satisfied definitely recommend to anyone looking for a comfortable and reliable very roomy suv,,

Only one thing I don't like...

Traded in a 2014 Passat for the Atlas. I drove two Honda's SUVs, two Toyota's SUVs, two Mazda's SUVs, a Tiguan and a Jeep. I liked the handling and solid feel of the Atlas the best. Also liked the interior, the highlander was nice, but the leather seats were wrinkled even on brand new cars. The artificial leather interior of the Atlas is sharp. My only complaint after about 8K miles is the sluggish acceleration when passing. The hp deficit is exacerbated by the 8 speed transmission that is too eager to upshift and too reluctant to downshift when you hit the pedal. Lately I have been driving it in manual shift mode which helps quite a bit, but I'd rather not have to do the shifting myself to work around sluggish engine/transmission combo. I am looking forward to taking it on a road trip this summer. It is that nice as a cruising vehicle, just not so great as a commuting vehicle in Chicago traffic. Fuel economy is an acceptable 20 mpg in mixed traffic.

Thankfully I am leasing!

I am leasing the 2018 Atlas and I am so happy that I am. I have had the Atlas in the shop so many times that the service manager actually said to me one time, wow you have had this in a lot of times I am sorry about that. My car is currently in service as my AC is not working. When my husband took it in the service guy said it's blowing cool, my husband said it's a nice day, but on a 80-90 degree day it's not and the passenger is blowing hot. They found a leak in one of the AC lines and I won't have my car back until at least next Tuesday which is 8 days since it has been there. That is one issue it takes so long for them to get parts in. We had the same problem with the AC last year, our first summer with it and I asked the guy this time what was wrong with my AC last year as I couldn't recall. He said they recharged it, I said that's it? He said they did the dye and couldn't find a leak, I think the leak was there the whole time and they didn't see it or didn't do the dye test as the AC was never as cool as any other cars AC. I am also adamant that I get put into the same size vehicle I have if it's going to be a long time. They put me in a Jetta and then when I found out my car was going to be there for over a week I contacted the service guy and he said what I have is what I have, I then contacted my sales guy and the manager and they had the service manager move a brand new Atlas into their rental fleet for me. I lost my key last summer and then lost the extra, don't ask. I had to have my car towed to the dealership and they had to order a new key fob, they ordered it and it came without the key inside, they then had to order another one, which took another 3-4 days. Once they received it they couldn't program the key to my car, so VW so it was a bad key and they had to order another one. They received that and that one wouldn't program. They were on the phone with VW corporate forever and they then had to schedule for an actual VW corporate technician to come out. No one could figure out how to program it. They had my car for over a month. They finally figured it out and realized this was a problem they had, a big one. They gave me a Tiguan to use but I needed a bigger vehicle as I was driving my family to my nieces graduation. They gave me a Volvo XC 90 and took back the Tiguan. I had a problem in which it was raining and the traction control light came on and then wouldn't go off and my car wouldn't move. I tried to go up a hill and it was like I was driving on a snow covered street with no power. My car kept going back and forth to that so I took it to service and they couldn't find the problem, I was not imagining it. I have had it in for a couple of other things, but as I said to the service guy yesterday when I went to trade my rental and get the Atlas as the rental, I am sure glad I am leasing this car and didn't buy it because if so I wouldn't be out of it in a couple years.

Nice look and roomy, but horrible manufacturing.

I have the 2018 VW Atlas launch Edition V6, 7 seats. Recall after recall, problems that weren't recalled but ended being warranty fixes. Still have problems arising. Now I need a whole new engine on a 5 year old vehicle with 71,000 miles. Worst vehicle experience of my life. Sad because I love how roomy it is and how it looks!

Spacious and comfortable

Consider the SUV an extremely comfortable ride. Doesn’t have tight sporty feel driving it but all the well engineered features and clean styling makes it a fun SUV to own.

Beyond disappointed

Purchased this car brand new and have already replaced a head gasket, converter, most recently informed that it is acceptable to burn 1/2 quart of oil every 600 miles.

worst car ever

Don’t waste your money. Atlas is totally a crap. Batter problems, transmission errors, faulty start/stop, broken air conditioner and list goes on and on. Highly unreliable. Bad customer service.

Handsome

Very smooth running and good on gas. High maintenance cost but no serious problems so far

So many problems with this vehicle. Just 1 year.

I purchased this vehicle one year ago and from day one I have had issues. With noise under the hood and dash lights constantly coming on overheating. Every month I have to put coolant in there because it’s going somewhere. Have trouble with my brakes and my doors would not unlock and now they won’t lock. When I turn my steering wheel it sounds like somethings rubbing. They say this truck was certified but after having it three months I had to get a front wheel axle put on because they said it was bad after complaining about a noise in my drivers door panel this is what they said. Needless to say that front wheel axle did not stop the noise that I was hearing. I was driving down the road one day and came to a stop sign as soon as I stopped I Heard a loud noise in my back set. The seat came crashing forward somehow it released thank God my grandson wasn’t in the back. Why are these issues not being addressed are they waiting for someone today? I took my truck to the Appleton Wisconsin dealership told them I cannot believe I have to keep paying to fix these issues when I’ve only had it for a year and I have only put 10,000 miles on it that I feel I have a lemon. You would be surprised to hear the service guy tells me Wisconsin has no lemon law I’m not sure if he thinks because I am a woman that I don’t know what I’m talking about.🥱

Owner for 5.5 years. Still love to drive it.

True, the acceleration will not blow you away, but it is good enough. I think people have a hard time remembering what acceleration was like in 1995. I love the truck like look out the windshield and how it has a smooth ride but still has a little bite in the corners. I find it very comfortable and roomy. We do a couple 8 hour road trips every year and there are never any complaints. We have the Execuline in Canada which is the SEL Premium. I'm glad we opted for it because of the digital cockpit and other features. I feel like it has aged well and I don't have a need to go out and replace it so I feel like I'm in the 2020's. I see myself keeping this vehicle for as long as it will run. No regrets at all.

Almost 100k on a reliable VW Atlas

I bought a CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) VW Atlas towards the end of 2018 with 10k miles on clock. I got additional 10k bumper to bumper warranty from dealer. So had a good warranty for around 75k miles. Very solid built car with lots of space and I have used it like a truck for carrying mulch and all. Very easy to clean with all the hard durable hard plastic interior. Have taken for several long road trips over 3k miles and never had any issues. The transmission is not smooth but the VR6 engine has good power and gives 23 mpg on highway. City driving is between 15-18 mpg. Had some recalls done by the dealer and had a perfect dealer in my city that elevated the VW experience. At 96k the water pump broke and had to be replaced. This is the only repair I had. Also love the 4Motion all wheel drive system which is pretty good. So I will say this is a decently reliable car if you do regular maintenance and not much of abuse. Happy customer.

Great Roomy SUV With Easy to use Controls & Extras

The Atlas SEL Premium 4 Motion has lots of room. The leather seats are made well and the back bench seat that I wanted slides for easy access to third row or cargo area. The premium radio-CD is very good as is the blind spot feature. The SUV also has heated auto folding mirrors, and a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats. I read reviews about lack of acceleration, but the 276 HP V6 seems good as compared with other SUV's that I have had. I've had no problems passing other cars or trucks on the highway. It goes from 0-60 in about 8 seconds and faster if the shift is moved to sport. The SUV has a very good turning radius and smooth shifting transmission. I've driven the Atlas for 41+ months and no problems. The digital dash on the SEL model is very good with excellent cruise control and easy to use controls. The system has a lane keeping system. The only thing I would add is to include a lane departure alert system for a long highway trip which could be turned off when not wanted. Also, in economy mode the engine shuts off to quickly and you have to press the gas save button to keep the car running. Also, I would add extended rubber insulation to the wiring at connectors for added protection for the electronics such as the surround cameras under the hood and for the fog lights. I would also add more insulation for road noise isolation. The SUV handles well for highway driving and has an off-road mode for rougher roads such as stone which can be used in wildlife areas. I would recommend the digital dash on the SEL Premium model. It is worth the extra cost. I also like the CD player which is in the glove compartment and is linked to the dash board media system. I would like this as an option on future models of the Atlas. The quality of the sound is much better than with Sirius. The all-wheel drive works well in snow and the power heated mirrors are another good feature of this premium model.

love the interior size, brake/ electronics sucks

I lease this care , SEL premium, for about a year, updated from Infinity QX60, since needed a car with better 3d row space. Using this car for local commutes, shopping, etc. What I like about this car is the size and comfort that comes with it , sound quality, simple, but efficient design. The engine feels adequate most of the times, not that fuel efficient though. What I dislike - the engines auto stop system, which by default is set to stop if the car stopped. Id prefer rather being able to engage it manually if I need that fuel saving gig. I don't like so much the 360 camera system, and the side mirror engagement system when you backing the car. The Infinity's system was much user friendly and efficient. The touchscreen is too sensitive around the on-off knob switch, can accidentally switch the screen by just simply trying to turn on the sound volume. What I hate is the automated braking / collision preventing system, it can engage and stop the car unexpectedly, when you trying to enter the street traffic from the shopping gas station or a shopping center, down an inclining driveway. The automated system thinks you have and obstacle in front of you and slams on brakes. You feel like a sitting duck for a few seconds, and hope no one will come and hit you. I hope Volkswagen will fix this ASAP, since its really a safety issue.

Fantastic SUV

I have the FWD SEL in Tourmaline Blue with 20" Black wheels. I bought used with 35000 miles and was not concerned since it comes with a 6 year 72000 warranty. I realize this is a first year vehicle and I do see some have had some issues with their Atlas. Bought mine in Chicago and drove it home to St Louis. I have already put a couple thousand miles on it and I have had no issues to speak of. Honestly I bought used to save thousands off the new price and if there were any initial glitches I assume the first owner took care of them because I haven't noticed any. The SEL model is great because along with the additional safety features you get the panoramic sunroof, trailer hitch, chrome trim, power liftgate. There are some features I am getting used to. The engine off when you stop completely, I guess if you were stopped for long periods it would be beneficial, but for normal stoplights I think the savings would be minimal at best. Next, the lane assist is a little sensitive sometimes, but from what I tested and read with other vehicles with lane assist, this tends to be a common issue. It is sensors and not someone watching the road so I can see how this would not be perfect. The ride is fantastic, cabin is quiet and there is plenty of room for everyone. The apple CarPlay works great, no need for navigation and the Stereo is very good for not being the top of the line Fender option (VW you should offer the higher end stereo on lower options). It has 4 USB ports, but I would have liked it if they added them in the 3rd row (there is a a charger outlet in the third row).I went back and forth on the Pilot, CX9 Ascend and the Atlas for months before I finally decided. The CX9 was the only other one that I liked the looks of, but it was too small inside. I had a Honda minivan that the transmission went out after 115000 miles and a Subaru Outback that needed many repairs at 125000. I realize the media loves to praise the Hondas, but I think there are risk with any vehicle that you get. If you can get a bigger bargain on one then at least you have saved some room for repairs. At then end of the day I usually put close to 200000 miles on a vehicle before I get rid of it and I can tell you that no matter what brand it is you will get about the same in trade in if you keep a vehicle that long.

Ride, reliability, huge space, accommodates 7 adul

Design quality, features, long distance ride and SPACE for 7 adult passengers and luggage is outstanding. We do serious long distance traveling (120k+ annually) and have had some very good experiences with the Buick Enclave, Honda Pilot, and have tried Volvo, Cadillac, GMC... some were better than others, this vehicle checks all boxes very well from all-wheel drive to safety, great sound and design and thoughtful engineering the equal to any. Service has been very good once you find a dealership that you like. No issues on parts. Great long distance vehicle for comfort, performance (even though not a rocket, but plenty adequate), and safety.

LOOKS ARE DECEIVING! Don’t Buy!

This vehicle is super nice looking, roomy and overall hits our checkpoints for the perfect family of 5 vehicle. With that being said, the vehicle itself is nothing but a HEADACHE! There has been more recalls and issues with our 2018 Atlas then I’d like to admit. Everything from keys not working (whole locking system replaced, water pump replaced, never ending disappearing coolant (which they can’t find the issue- The coolant must be topped up every 1.5 to 2 months for the light to not come on), drive modes replaced, odd noises when you turn (which they can’t find the issue), unknown leaking fluid (which is apparently not the coolant!), The list goes on but the biggest issue we are currently having is our Atlas ROLLS AWAY in park down our driveway! We are currently at 5 incidents over the last 1.5 months where we woke up to our vehicle sitting on the sidewalk (it slowly rolls away over a period of hours) The vehicle has been towed to the VW dealership and they cannot find the issue (say what?!) apparently it is OK for a vehicle to roll away and keep driving if they can’t find the issue.... so scary! At this time, I am paying $600 a month for a vehicle I am not confident to put my family in. Between my husband and I, we switch vehicles depending on who will be transporting the children because we cannot put them in the Atlas due to the safety concerns we have. Let me end this review by saying that I still love this vehicle (the idea of it) and I’m devastated that it’s turned out to be nothing but a nightmare. Volkswagen is also a nightmare to deal with and I will NEVER purchase another VW again. If you were thinking about still purchasing an a Atlas, at the very least do not purchase a 2018 first generation. Go with a newer year where the bugs are hopefully more worked out.

2 years and 30000miles

Love my Atlas, 2018, no issue, running strong, reliables, confortable, roomy and great towing capability, awesome ride, at the end of 2021 will probably trade this one for a new one👍🏼

Put it through the paces

Lot's of space. It's a big heavy vehicle.

The ugly face of Volkswagen

The car is intentionally stripped down in the most offensive fashion. E.g., take heating/AC: - an internal sensor, thermostat and handle to maintain interior temp in $36k car would cost a few bucks (literally), not there - rear heat area can only controlled from the 2-nd, no way to control it from the driver's seat? Everything's like, everything. Having rented VWs many times in Europe, I thought I knew VW UI. Big mistake.

Technology edition my ass!!

This vehicles technology is junk. How can they possible consider it a technology edition when doesn't even come with a garage door opener. I am a andriod user and expect the technology to blend seamlessly however this is not the case. I am still waiting for manufactures to give up on their proprietary software and use opensource so the professionals can give the people exactly what they want. What I want is a display that mirrors my phone exactly is that too much to ask. I have this in my 2006 toyota solara it can be done. This is my first day owning this vehicle that makes my KIA Optima look like a Lexus. The interior is barebones, sure it has leather and holds 8 people but I think I would have enjoyed a Buick Enclave more. Now I have 3 yrs of lease on a generic POS. I had high hopes and now believe I made a huge mistake. * update VW still sucks, I should have waited the new Buick Enclave looks much better for the money.

VW ATLAS

Go with the technology package

Alt hauler

Great value, awesome warranty, clean and crisp interior front, drives smooth for a big SUV.

A disappointment

After test driving and comparing other options. This car is a disappointment in looks, quality and technology. The vehicle can not compare to Mazda CX-9 or the CX-5 in value, performance, available otpions and quality.

Forget it. NOT RELIABLE

Since I got my new Atlas in August 2018, I felt a vibration/shaking when It is about to stop or take off. Already took it 3 times to service and they say the same thing: we can't duplicate it. I sent a video and they said the same: we can't duplicate it. It is a horrible sensation having your car vibrating and shaking every time you are about to stop or take off. It is my first and last VW. I should have brought SUBARU ASCENT. I will talk to a lawyer.

Can't Beat the 6-year Warranty!

I am perplexed at the disparity of reviews! My ATLAS has 22K miles and runs flawlessly. I have had ZERO unplanned visits to the repair shop. Many of the nuisances described in this thread (Engine turns off when stopping, low fuel mileage, wide car, etc..) we knew going into the purchase. You can't blame VW for that. However, I am floored on the number of real problems reported! I hope my car doesn't turn into one of the lemons described here, but for now, my wife and I are very happy with this purchase.

Wife made me buy

My wife talked me into purchasing an Atlas and so far I am glad she did. I have had it a week and so far its been great. Rides great very quiet Great seats and lots of space.

Atlas does not Shrug

I did a lot of research and test driving before purchasing the Atlas. I believed the 4 cylinder turbo SE with Technology to be the best value on the market. Beyond the peppy acceleration of the turbo and active safety features, I got a great looking, super roomy, comfy SUV. It is a head turner looking like a much more costly vehicle. There's no Corinthian leather, but the austere interior has a style of its own and is extremely ergonomic. I rate 5s across the board on features and drive with my only NAs being long term reliability - no issues after first 45 days.

Atlas Delivers -2018 SE with Technology

I only purchased this 2018 Atlas SE with Tech last week, so I'm still getting familiar with it. However, I did take it on a 400 mile round trip over the weekend to visit my wife on the East Coast of Florida. I live on the West Coast of Florida. Long story for another time. We needed to replace the wooden gate for the fence on the North side of her house. Saturday morning we ran up to Lowe's after we lowered the two back seats. It is absolutely cavernous. We managed to fit a 4 x 6 wooden gate into back of the car with room to spare. My 2014 Tiguan, which I traded in for the Atlas, was only getting about 25 mpg on the highway. The Atlas came in at 24.8. I can only ascribe this to the 8 speed transmission compared to the 6 speed on my Tiguan. Additionally, it seems that the V6 does not labor as much as the 2.0 turbo did on my Tiguan. Early next year I'm going to fit it with a class 3 tow hitch. I am planning to sell my 36 ft DP over the winter and maybe get a 20 foot or less TT down the road. That's one of the primary reasons why I bought the Atlas. I hope I can have some good stories to share down the road, too. Oh, I forgot to mention the kick-ass stereo system is as I jammed my 1000+ playlist of songs on my Android phone during my 400 mile round trip this weekend. UPDATE: So, I've owned cars both old and new for over 45 years. From sub-compacts to full-size pickup trucks and everything in between. Two and a half years ago I bought my 2018 Atlas used. It had around 69K in miles when I bought it, which I thought was a bit high for a 2 year old car. However, except for a new battery a year ago it has required nothing aside from oil changes. I love this SUV. It's built like a tank and feels very luxurious on the inside with all kinds of technology and an 8 inch interactive touch screen. Even with the 3.6 liter V6 it manages to get 24 mpg on the highway thanks to the 8 speed auto trans. The V6 spits out enough torque to tow 5000 lbs. When putting down the 3rd and 2nd row seats it becomes cavernous enough to bring large items home from the store. I absolutely love this vehicle. I'll be retiring in a couple of years so it's very possible this will be my last car unless I fall in love with the upcoming VW Buzz ID EV. Cheers.

2018 Atlas is on its 3rd transmission

VW ended up declaring it a lemon after months of arguing with them and they offered me a replacement or the money we had spent on it and we took the money and got a different car. I wish it would have been a good car bc I loved the layout

Worst ever.

It is my first VW and will be my last VW. Worst reliability and service.

"Meh" on a good day

UPDATE: after months of problems that started with a leaking water pump, necessitated an early spark-plug replacement, then a replacement of all six fuel injectors followed immediately by another water pump and thermostat replacement, we no longer have this SUV. Good thing it had that six-year warranty. The dealer and VW were very accommodating and did their best, but we just can't put our trust in this vehicle anymore, and I wasn't about to wait for the warranty to run out. There are other, better designed, more reliable SUVs out there. I got talked into buying this car back in 2018. A year later, it still hasn't grown on me. There is nothing I love about it, and a few things I hate. The rest is just OK. The exterior style is boring and wouldn't have been out of place on a car built a decade earlier. (But it has the requisite white LEDs, so yay, I guess.) Headlights look like they were trying to match the grille - and failed. The whole package looks like a copy of Jeep, down to the pointless body line and the boring, totally-not-VW, not at all European looking tail lights. The interior is likewise uninspiring. No theme or design to it, at all: just a bunch of mismatched components that somehow ended up in a car. Knobs, vents, screens, door handles - none of them really fit together. It's like someone raided the Volkswagen interior parts remainder bin. Cheap, plasticky surfaces throughout - but they are painted like dark wood and metal, so I guess it looks nicer in photos. A few design choices are puzzling, not to say bafflingly stupid. The overhead lights are controlled by four buttons above the center console. There's the left-front light, the right-front light, the button to enable cabin lights when the door opens, and a separate button to turn on the lights over the second row. (Why? Who needs this kind of fine-tuned control of cabin lights?) These all look the same, and the labels aren't lit, so... good luck sorting them out in the dark. You have to use a flashlight or your phone to illuminate the buttons that let you turn on the lights. Ponder the irony. Let's talk about the steering wheel. Yes, the @#%ing steering wheel is a nuisance. First, VW decided it's too cool for conventional steering wheels, so it needs to have that "flat" part at the bottom. Y'know, like a race car that the Atlas isn't. (Again, like someone went through the VW remainder bin.) Stitching on the steering wheel is annoying and rubs against your fingers. But the steering wheel controls - oh good grief, those steering wheel controls! You know, those things that are supposed to let you quickly turn on cruise control or lower the radio volume? Without looking? Well, VW has put eighteen - EIGHTEEN - buttons on the steering wheel, arranged in a pattern I'd describe as "random dog vomit." This renders the whole thing useless. Seriously, VW, just look at steering wheel controls from literally any other manufacturer, and copy those. You clearly never understood the concept. Mated to the steering wheel is an infotainment system that looks like one of those generic boxes you get in the Crutchfield catalog. Slow, clunky, and with way too many touch controls. Overall, the interior is certainly spacious, and everything does the job. But this is also true of an Econoline delivery van. For roughly the same money, you could get a nice minivan from Chrysler or Toyota, with a sensible interior and similar seating and capacity. No, that's not cool, but honestly, you're not fooling anyone in this Suburban Mom Bulk Transport.

Our First VW

Excellent SUV for the money. Very comfortable and drives great.

Fantastic

Have owned 14 vehicles and this VW is the best vehicle I have ever owned! Love it!

Go Get One... NOW!!!

Look, you are reading this review because you care about what others think. If you have an active family and need storage space for kids and stuff, the VW Atlas is for you. The storage capacity is amazing! If you have more than two kids, the VW Atlas is for you. You can actually use the third row with the VW Atlas; imagine that! You might be wondering why we bought the VW Atlas. When it comes to driving experience (ride, handling, braking, seating comfort, infotainment), the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander don't compete. I don't know what it is about the Japanese car makers, but they weren't in tune with that for which I was looking. VW nailed it! I'm 6'2" and weigh in at 215; I fit in the VW Atlas. I felt cramped in the Pilot and Highlander. Could have that spoiled my driving experience? Sure. I'll concede that point, but take a corner in the Atlas and the same corner in the Pilot; you will know exactly what I'm talking about. If you are looking for navigation and rear seat entertainment, all you need is a decent smart phone and a couple of tablets. You'll save thousands on your car purchase by avoiding Nav systems and DVD players. Worried about real leather? Maybe you should be looking at Acura or Lexus. You have kids, and you want the best for your money. If you don't buy the VW Atlas, you have other priorities that I simply don't have. You want three useable rows of seating? You want incredible storage capacity? You want state of the art safety technology? You want a solid, safe ride? You want all of that in one package? You want a VW Atlas!

6 months in, mostly happy.

For the price this car can’t be beat. And because it’s a lease I’m not too worried about the longevity— I wouldn’t haven’t purchased it because VW has such a bad rap. The Atlas is a great family car, and not too precious to beat it up a bit.