Used 2018 Volkswagen Atlas Consumer Reviews
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The new car that drives like an old car.....
Doug, 01/12/2018
updated 01/14/2019
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
193 of 205 people found this review helpful
I purchase the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE back on August 19, 2017. After having it 3 days, I had to bring it in to service for severe shaking at speeds over 40mph and a whining noise when accelerating from stop. The performed wheel balance and gave it back without testing. Problems still existed. Took it back and this time I was told I had 2 bad tires. They replaced the 2 tires and told me that would fix the whining noise and shaking. Problems still existed. Started noticing a rattle from the driver front end when driving over rough terrain at a slow speed. Took it in again and was told there were loose bolts under the dash and they couldn't recreate the whining noise (I've submitted several recordings but they ignore). Problems still exist. Get VW Corporate involved.....they have QTM come out only to tell me the vehicle is operating according to specs. Received it back with same problems. I decided to try a different dealership in hopes to get this resolved. After over of month of waiting, I get and appointment. I did a test drive and was able to show the service guy all problems. QTM came back and said there were loose bolts on the sway bar link; so I guess they changed or tightened them. I was told again that they were not able to recreate the whining noise. My guess is that they don't have a clue what that issue is. Anyways after 12 days in the shop, my vehicle still has the same problems. Tried to initiate a buy back with VW and was denied. They recommend me bring it back in to service. I wasted enough time with this vehicle and is beyond exhausted. I also get the metal to metal rattle form the engine when powering off, A/C sometimes doesn't work, radio glitches and the plastic on the outside is loose in several places. I will most likely hire an attorney to file a lemon law claim. I wanted to be sure that I can at least spare someone of the headaches this vehicle and VW has caused for my family and I. Yes it comes with 6 year 72,000 mile warranty, but the service departments are not prepared to address issues with this vehicle. This makes the warranty useless. Update: VW bought back my Atlas and I’ve since purchased a Honda Pilot which is serving my family well
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40,000 miles and loving it!
Andrea, 06/19/2017
updated 12/19/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 Launch Edition 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
178 of 189 people found this review helpful
First, I love this car, it's comfort, style and maneuverability. It fits my kids and I perfectly and we have really enjoyed it. There were a couple of repairs and updates that we had to have on the Atlas shortly after purchasing but that is to be expected with a newly launched car. I’m happy with our purchase and hope to keep the car for many more years. Drives so well!
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2018 Volkswagen Atlas for sale near you
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Everything was great until it wasn't
Kara Holm, 06/29/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
120 of 127 people found this review helpful
First of all, I loved my BRAND NEW Atlas when I bought it. Every time I walked up to it for the first two weeks, I thought "man, that Tourmaline blue R-Line SE w/ Tech Atlas is sexy as hell!" It looked so much better than the vehicles around it. Then I went to fill the tank up. The fuel door fell off. Okay, no big deal. I put it back on and kept going... only to find that EVERY TIME I FILLED UP, THE FUEL DOOR FELL OFF!! Tip. Of. The. Iceberg. Next, my vehicle starts taking longer to start up. I thought it may be the change of weather. My remote start isn't working either but I just figured I was doing something wrong when pressing the buttons. No big deal, right? WRONG. The next day, MY CAR WON'T START! It tries turning over, but won't fire! What in the world? I try 7 times before finally! It starts! I go drop the kids off at daycare and then head straight to the dealership. Mind you, I sell cars for a living, so any time spent out of work is money out of my pocket! I drop my vehicle off and am given a ride to my dealership. I get a call saying it's a fuel pump and they need to give me a loaner. I get picked up and go back to the VW dealership... more time away from my work! I am told the fuel pump is on an "intergalactic backorder" and that it will take over a month to possibly get the part in. One person has already been waiting 3 weeks for one. WHAT??? So they give me a Passat - a $400 a month car!! I immediately call VW of America and express my concerns. I get in contact with Jeff Newell, the new car manager at Village VW in Chattanooga and he works his magic and gets me a part from another dealership overnighted and I get my vehicle back within two days. This was the dealership working for me, NOT VW OF AMERICA. I go back to happily driving my car..... for two weeks until ANOTHER problem! My car starts acting funny again and my freaking fuel door is STILL falling off every time I get gas!! WTC?? I take it to the dealership again. It's a purge valve! So they replace that. I make my first payment and call VW of America about this service visit. I tell them something needs to be done about this. Their response? Oh, we have fixed it according to warranty. That's all we can do at this time. If it happens again, let us know. What? Okay. Fine. Only two issues, whatever, they have to work the kinks out I guess. I go on my merry way, driving my beautiful car that yes, I did still love. I wake up about two weeks later ON MY DAY OFF, get the kids ready, put them in the car and start it. I hear this loud, ungodly noise from inside my car. I open the door and it's even louder! I took videos of it, sent it to some guys in service and they said "That's not good. Drive it to the dealership NOW" GREAT. So instead of enjoying the day with my kids, I drop them off at daycare and go to the dealership. I spend over half the day there for them to tell my it's the cooling fans and motor... What. Oh, and they don't have a loaner but I can still drive my car... They tell me "Hey, it's going to take over a week for this part to come in. Drive your car and if it starts to over heat, pull over and call roadside assistance to tow it here." I LIVE IN THE SOUTH. WHERE IT IS 90+ EVERY DAY IN THE SUMMER!! So let me get this straight, you want me to drive around with my two babies in the car and if it over heats, pull over and call roadside?? And sit in my over heated car in almost 100 degree heat? WITH MY BABIES? You're crazy! Finally, after getting with the person who sold me the car, I get a loaner. I call VW of America and ask again for my vehicle get bought back or replaced or something! Because I no longer feel safe in this vehicle! Kim L leaves me a voicemail to call her back. I call her back within 15 minutes. Conveniently, she is already out of the office. Of course. I call her EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK. I leave voicemail after voicemail to PLEASE give me a call back! While waiting for a call back, my start stop error keeps coming on but no check engine light so the service tech tells me it should be fine. So still waiting for VW of America to call but my husband and I load up the kids and one of their big power wheel trucks into the Atlas for a day at the park on my day off, which is precious time because we both work 50-60 hours a week. I start the Atlas and guess what... check engine light. I bring it straight to the dealership again and they put us in a 2017 Tiguan... We try to fit the power wheel in the Tiguan and we can't. Park day cancelled. In the meantime, I decide to try calling Kim L at VW of America again. I get a voicemail that says she is now out of the office until July 2nd.... So she couldn't return my phone calls all week and now she is out of town for a long weekend? Lolol okay. There is only ONE person in the entire region that can help me, when I am located in the same city as the plant so hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of vehicles have been sold in this region alone. RIDICULOUS
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Hard not to be disappointed
SonomaHog, 09/18/2017
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
313 of 334 people found this review helpful
With our minivan on its last legs, we were in the market for a new vehicle that could seat 7 (3 young boys and frequently shuttling their friends) and it looked like the Atlas fit the bill as we loved the styling and had a previous good experience with VW. We purchased an Atlas SE (w/tech) after seriously considering a Honda Pilot on August 10. After 3 weeks is when the problems start. On 9/4/17, my wife heads out to shuttle the kids to school when the EPC check engine light comes on and the car refuses to turn over and start (resulting in the obvious inconvenience and tardiness to class). After contacting VW roadside assistance, who apparently does no additional coordination other than calling the tow company (the local dealership in Fairfield CA had no idea we were coming in, resulting in additional delays), we were provided a loaner Jetta requiring us to change carpooling plans for the week. I fully recognize issues can arise, and it’s how they are dealt with that are important, and why we are disappointed. After 6 days in the dealership (and 115 miles “test driving” added to the car without any explanation), our 5 week old Atlas (now with 1890 miles) was returned with assurance that the issue was resolved (we were told there was a problem with the fuel system). My wife subsequently goes out to clean the car and finds minor/superficial damage to the plastic floor panels in the back as a result of the repairs that were obvious and were not reported which results in us having to call again to explain and coordinate replacement. 7 days later (9/15), we again load up the kids for a long day of soccer, and like groundhog day, the EPC check engine light comes on and the vehicle fails to turn over. After again coordinating a tow, and pushing back on another Jetta to ensure we have enough room for the weeks carpooling, we are back to wondering when and what the issue is. We really want to love the Atlas, but so far it’s hard not to be disappointed and second guess our decision not to go with Honda. Will keep you posted on how this is resolved.
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Buyer BEWARE!!!
Fed up VW "owner", 05/09/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
83 of 88 people found this review helpful
Let me first say that I can't give a true overall review because I only had my brand new car for 1.5 days (4 miles on it when we drove it off of the lot) before the check engine light came on. Come to find out that it's a faulty coolant pump. At first, I figured sh*t happens and we got a bad part. No big deal. No big deal until this has turned in WEEKS of my car still at the dealership. Today, 5/8/18 , I'm at 8 weeks and STILL in a loaner and still NO ETA on the part. I'm not getting a clear answer on what the problem is with this particular part and I'm truly frustrated beyond measure at this point and disappointed.
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Lots of problems
Deanna, 05/14/2018
updated 11/15/2019
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 Launch Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
44 of 46 people found this review helpful
We bought our atlas almost a year ago we used to love it.. from the beginning our only complaint was a throttle delay and all of a sudden it would jolt forward. In the last month and half we took it in for oil change ended up staying for 5 days for recal work and the parts were back ordered. We then had it back a week before the start stop error occurred and check engine light on.. there again back order on parts it was in the shop a week. Had it back another week before the car shut off right after I started it said immobilizer was active would not turn back on.. it finally did but the EPC light and check engine light was on I took my son to therapy and went home the lights went off but the next day same thing happened shut off and would not start when it did same thing EPC and check engine light I drive it straight to the dealer this time I could not open windows and start stop control error again and other things.. it's been in the shop now for 2 weeks back ordered parts with no ETA and not even sure what there replacing will fix it. We have had catalytic converter replaced 31 days at the dealership for that balancing bar and transmission leak 30 days for that and than we had the transmission in emergency mode and car safety warning less than 2 months later ended up replacing it. Since then the transmission is slow to respond and than jerks forward lots of noises like things are loose which doesn't surprise me after having the front end and transmission area disassembled 3 times
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Nice SUV, BUT..........
N. Kaplan, 12/16/2017
updated 12/18/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
127 of 136 people found this review helpful
December 18, 2018 Update: No longer have the Atlas--too unsafe to drive. Enjoying my new Japanese manufactured SUV! June 17, 2018 Update: No improvement at all in the vehicle's safety and driver assist systems. The Atlas has stopped itself in body-jarring fashion for no reason whatsoever on three separate occasions. Driving this vehicle is an accident and/or injury waiting to happen. These serious flaws totally negate any of the positive features of the vehicle. Despite local Volkswagen engineers acknowledging that these problems in the Atlas exist, Volkswagen of America continues to deny that it is a known issue. Safety and injury concerns have forced me to order a new SUV--one with Japanese engineering this time. I am quite concerned about the effectiveness and consistency of the vehicle’s safety & driver assist systems. The Autonomous Emergency Braking system failed in two different ways: did not stop or even try to stop the vehicle when it was quite close to crashing into a stationary vehicle; and abruptly stopped the vehicle when I was safely pulling out of a driveway with no vehicles approaching from either direction and no obstacles in front of me. In fact, my Atlas almost always sounds a warning alert each time I exit any driveway. Also, I would never rely on the vehicle’s Lane Assist system. Sometimes the car will counter-steer, and sometimes it won’t, independent of the speed I am driving or how clear are the lane markings. The service advisor at my VW dealership told me that other new Atlas owners came in and reported having these same problems. So far, no solutions.
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Fixing to go back to service for check engine ligh
Chad P, 10/22/2017
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 S 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
78 of 83 people found this review helpful
We have a 2018 Atlas like the size for the money and has lots of interior and a like the vehicle overall but we drove it home Monday labor day and had to take it back the next day because the check engine light came on and was at dealership for 5 days , now today 10/21/2017 the check engine light is back on . We like the Atlas overall but don't like paying for a vehicle that's this new that were having to take back to the shop . Hindsight we should have brought a Honda pilot .
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Still Unhappy Atlas SE owner
Todd P, 11/27/2017
updated 05/31/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
98 of 105 people found this review helpful
We got our Atlas SE in June, and we’re happy weather in the beginning. Then noticed issues with assembly fuel mileage and engine noises. VW claims the atlas it’s 18/25 Mpg. We have yet to get more than 11 MPG. I have taken it on short trips on the freeway and have not gotten better than 18 mpg. Dealer claims that it’s normal because I only drive on the city streets. That doesn’t make sense. Tell lights aren’t lined up, one headlight is off line, or die lined up, liftgate is not in line, hood is not in line, and we had a door panel armrest that had to be replaced because it came undone. On acceleration we getting noise that sounds like sucking air, dealership says all the vehicles do that. When we turn off the motor it sounds like a fan hitting a metal shroud, dealer again says that’s normal and all the vehicles are the same. We are paying a lot of money for this vehicle and we expected to be assembled properly. Manufacturer has been involved and has no solution to fix things they replace the taillight but it’s in the same spot one taillight has a spacer and is up the other taillight doesn’t and is flush. I pointed out this fact and suggested that they left gate was not installed correctly. The body lines don’t lineup and there is a large space between the bumper guard in the liftgate. Nothing was done. First time took it for these issues they put us in a Jetta And how do our Atlas for one week. They had to order tail light and door panel. When they came in they put us in another Jetta for two days. The tail light still is not correct. Call the dealership and manufacture again regarding these issues, and was told to set an appointment at the dealer and they would bring in the technician again. I told them to make the appointment and I would be there to meet with the technician this time. Have not heard back yet. Update: Contacted Volkswagen corporate, addressed issues regarding flaws and bad craftsmanship of the atlas. Was told that the issues I am having are within normal levels and they do not plan to do anything about it. I requested a change of vehicles because I noticed that the ones that are coming out now are near Flawless and craftsmanship. Bodylines lineup, lights are straight and lineup, but they say that because the flaws on my particular vehicle are at an acceptable level they will not exchange vehicles. They are blaming the fuel mileage problem on me saying it's my driving habits. But I have a dash cam installed now that is recording every time I start the vehicle and it shows proof that it's not my driving habits. I'm not hard on the accelerator I'm not hard on the stops, but I am still only getting 13 miles to the gallon, and that is mixing between freeway and streets. So due to this I will not be returning for another Volkswagen. I will finish out the term of my lease and give this back to them. Still a very unhappy customer, even though this is my 4th Volkswagen since 2013. They won't stand behind their work so I won't give them any more of my money.
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It's a good SUV except....
David L., 10/02/2017
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
74 of 79 people found this review helpful
I was driving a 2011 Chevy Suburban which I loved but I didn't need such a large vehicle anymore and I wanted to get more than 12 mpg. I loved how the new Atlas looked but I've always heard that you "shouldn't buy the first year's edition for a new car model because they need to get the bugs out". I ignored this advice and jumped into a 3-year lease of the SEL with 4Motion. Before I even drove it off the lot, I noticed that there was a gap between the bumper and the grill on the driver's side that didn't exist on the passenger's side. The VW staff took some photos that they were going to send to VW Corporate as they thought it was a manufacturing issue that needed to be addressed. I brought the car into the dealership a week later so the issue could be resolved...not a big deal to me. I have now driven the car 2000 miles and here are my thoughts on it. Overall I like the vehicle but I HATE, HATE, HATE the automatic engine turnoff feature that activates whenever the car comes to a stop. The car has an on/off button for this feature on the dash but it turns itself back on every time the car in started. I am hoping that at some point VW will offer an update so the feature can be permanently disabled in the settings. I am guessing that this feature is to help save gas but it is very annoying at times and I tend to feel that it may be a safety issue in certain driving situation...such as when trying to make a left turn across lanes of moving traffic. The on/off feature causes a slight hesitation before the vehicle begins moving again which could be the difference between being involved in an accident or not. If the feature can't be permanently turned off, it would be good if it was deactivated whenever the turn signals were turned on. Another feature I didn't like is the lane departure correction. Depending on the when the painted lines on the road start, stop or swerve, the lane correction feature can quite quickly steer the car to one side unexpectedly. It can be very startling at times and again I feel that it can cause an accident in some situations. Luckily, this feature can be permanently deactivated in the car safety settings...which I did.
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2000 Miles...visited dealership EIGHT TIMES!
pnav, 12/21/2017
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
50 of 53 people found this review helpful
Only 2k miles. Engine light is on repeatedly with poor performance. Visited the dealership EIGHT TIMES for the same issue. They replaced the engine harness...ON A NEW CAR???? Now the cruise control stopped working and more "warning lights". Great concept...POOR POOR POOR execution by VW.
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Lemon
Denyse, 05/06/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
58 of 62 people found this review helpful
My 2018 Atlas has had do many issues. It has died while driving it seversl times and has been in snd out of dealership more times than I can count. I picked it up Thursday and Saturday it died twice. The second time every electronic went off inside the car and everything died. I coasted to the side of the highway. All 3 of my emergency buttons were dead. Thank God s police officer pulled up behing me. My hazards wouldnt even work. The tow guy came snd could not put vehicle into neutral. I will never get in that car again! It was the scariest experience in a car I hVe ever had. Dont buy a first year Atlas!
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2500 miles and has been in service 3 times
Glen, 07/01/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
37 of 39 people found this review helpful
Well what can I say...purchsed the SE AWD w/ Tech, less than 1K I started hearing rattling noise coming from the passenger side front at speeds of 10-20mph. Sent it in for service and was deemed to be a wheel bearing issue. Next at about 1200k miles started to hear the same noise, and this time they said it was the strut mounts that was defective. Both front mounts and bearings was replaced. Now my atlas is at 2500K miles and this time my engine light came on. I have a OBDII reader and what it produce to have cause the check engine light is the ERROR “P0456” its a small leak in the Evap Emission system. So after looking it up there were some recommended steps, which one is to check the gas cap. I did and nothing it did not clear the error. Long story short, I am being really patient with this SUV I want to like/love this SUV but I am getting some second thoughts about this SUV. So far the issue are minor, but still you expect to have good quality products coming from VW at a pretty high cost for this SUV. Thank god for the long warranty, which is good but my confidence as a consumer buying VW products is going downhill from here. I really hope that this SUV will last and this is just some here and there. Anyone buying this vehicle you will love the space but I would suggest to either wait till they get their act together on these SUV...my two cents.
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Beautiful lemon
Jennifer, 07/11/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
36 of 38 people found this review helpful
Nightmare started a month after I leased this car. Check engine light loves coming on....because I don’t know how to tighten or close my fuel tank??????????? Hmmm....interesting. That was the first thing I was told from service. Sure thing ok. They reset the warning. Guess what? Yup happened again and I was told as long as the car isn’t driving weird or shaking I was ok but the second it starts shaking I should stop driving immediately. Now that’s something I love hearing with a brand new car. Long story short this nightmare has been in service for a total of 61 days and counting. First time was 2 day, then 37 days, and now on 21 days. Never once have I gotten a call from anyone at the dealership suggesting they try to get me out of this car. The only calls are “we still can’t figure out what’s wrong but we will let you know.” And my all time favorite is “hey we need our loaner back so how soon can you get here? And of course we will give you another one.” Right so I got a Jetta....maybe they don’t get the concept of why people buy or lease a bigger suv. MAYBE BECAUSE WE HAVE FAMILIES AND CAN’T FIT ALL OF US INTO A JETTA????????? AND CHILD CAR SEATS!!!!!! I am asked to put my children’s safety in jeopardy because I can’t fit their car seats into a Jetta????? Because they made a crap suv that has been in service for 60 plus days and lets not forget I am paying every single month for this lemon while the dealership can’t manage to give me an atlas to drive while the unqualified serviced dept tries or maybe not to fix this joke of a car.
Very Inaccurate MPG estimates
LPalace0, 10/13/2017
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
56 of 60 people found this review helpful
We had the car for 7 days and it has been filled up twice already with gas. Once from the dealership and second time 4 days later. This is my first VW so I'm still getting used to the driving experience. I previously owned an Acura MDX, BMW X3, and Porsche Cayenne as far as SUV's and the Atlas seems to have the smallest gas tank at 18 gallons. BUT for some reason a fillup is at 14.7 gallons filling from empty with 25 miles worth of fuel left. The Eco drive mode helps but the MPG estimates are off. Based off the info from the Atlas's digital cockpit and vehicle status, I'm averaging 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg highway on Normal mode and 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway on Eco. The second fillup, I used premium gas and there wasn't any noticeable differences. I give it 3 Stars for performance and reliability because advertise fuel estimates are not accurate and when I called Kearny Mesa VW service department, they said some bs about the computer is still learning your driving habits. On the plus side, regular gas in a premium vehicle is always nice to the wallet. If you’re having this issue, any suggestions going beyond the dealerships?
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Atlas catalytic converter replacement
Etiv, 11/27/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
Was excited about the new Atlas but reluctant to buy in the first year of production as and concerned with reliability given our experience with the “Touareg”. Check engine light on and I took it in. diagnosed as a fault that required a software update of the vehicles computer. Picked car up after reprogra. check engine light back on within 50 miles. Took it in for quick diagnoses told this was a different fault bring it in for complete diagnoses. After an entire day with tech coordinating with vw engineers I was informed my catalytic converter needed replacing. Converter was initially on back order for 4-6 weeks. Had to drive with check engine light on for 22 days service advisor emailed me to inform him if I experienced drive ability issues. Called vw customer service to complain as my county requires emissions testing. Part was bumped up and is here 21 days later. Gonna have it installed but my confidence in this atlas’s reliability has diminished. Will update any with any further problems.
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In shop as much as out of it!
Brandon, 07/30/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
24 of 25 people found this review helpful
I won't leave a long winded break down of my experience... my story is similar to many others already posted: my Atlas has been in the shop for a total of 60 days as of posting this, and I was just told that they didn't expect to have "the part" until October. 60 days I have been paying for an Atlas with almost every option available, but for 60 days I have been driving a basic Golf that doesn't even have GPS. This is my wifes car, and her not having in-dash GPS is a big deal. She uses it to get everywhere, so now she is staring at her phone while driving... We can't get an Atlas loaner because they are selling too fast and they need them all on the sales floor?! Owning the Atlas in like playing Russian Roulette with your time, safety, and money. You might be one of the lucky ones, or you might not... With so many nice 3rd row SUV's on the market now, I would not take the chance. We are hoping to get our's purchased through the Lemon Law soon and will be looking at other SUV options.
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NOT SAFE
Kirk S., 03/30/2018
updated 10/05/2022
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
30 of 32 people found this review helpful
My 2018 R-line Atlas will slam on the brake at times when it crosses a steel insert on a bridge. It thinks there is a car in front of it but there is not. The dealer told me there is no fix and turned the front crash avoidance system off. I was told if I would have read the manual before I got the car I would see that this my be a problem. Not a very smart statement. V W will not do anything about this so I will let everyone I know to stay away from V W. 4/3/2019 I just had this car do this yesterday and I thing it thinks Im going to rear end the car that is in the lane to my right. But what ever it is it is not safe Im going to get rear ended and the VW will be getting sued!
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Chose the Atlas over all other 3 row SUV's
JIN, 06/04/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
I chose the Atlas over all the other 3 row SUV's I tested because, on an all around basis, it was the best choice at a great price... I selected the SE V6 FWD W/Tech since it had all the features I wanted at a price I could afford... I live where there is very little snow, if at all, so the FWD version was best for me... I didn't want a sunroof, I have a convertible for those fun in the sun days, no need for AWD or towing, but wanted all the necessary safety and tech features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane assist, blind spot monitoring, remote start, etc... You get all these with the Tech package at very little extra cost... However, if you want a sunroof, towing package, and, all the tech goodies, you should look for the SEL model, which is only 2K more for all those extras... In most of the competitors models, especially the GM Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, you have to buy the top of the line models to get all the safety and other tech goodies you get with the Atlas w/Tech package or the SEL... Also, the GM models do not offer Apple Car Play or Android Auto... With those two connections, you really don't need the high priced and glitch prone NAV systems that cost way too much for what you get... I use the Android Auto App on my phone projected to the Atlas infotainment screen and it works great both visually and audibly through the infotainment system... The infotainment system with 8" screen in the Atlas is very intuitive and easy to use... Plus, it still has knobs and buttons for the AC, and, Audio systems so you can use them instead of having to do everything through a touch screen, where they are also available... With the Honda Pilot, all system controls are through the touchscreen and is a real pain in the A**... Yes, the Atlas has the hated stop/start, but it is easily cancelled by pressing a button on the dash to turn it off when you, which can't be done in some of it's competitors... This is one great new SUV... It's huge inside, the second and third rows have an enormous amount of room, cargo space with the third row up or down is terrific and with both rows down, it is absolutely huge... The ride is taught, but not too taught, and, it drives like a much smaller vehicle... The 8 sp transmission setup shifts smoothly and is non intrusive ( I hate CVT's), and, the engine, while not a 0 to 60 speed demon, is more than adequate for a family vehicle, the gas mileage is good for a V6 and the weight of the vehicle... In test driving the Atlas and it's competitors, it simply was the best all around package for me, and, with the price of the model I bought being more reasonable than it's competitors, it made my purchase decision easy... Yes, I was wary of a first year model, but the Atlas comes with a 6 year/72K bumper to bumper warranty, and, waiting 10 months into the model run, I felt comfortable with it's reliability... If you are looking for a 3 row SUV, do yourself a favor and test drive one... You might be very surprised at the "bang for your buck" you will get with the Atlas versus it's competitors... It has been one terrific vehicle for me and my family...
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Very decent car. Great Dealer. Happy customer
Simon Codrington , 01/14/2018
updated 01/26/2023
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
So we now have 12,000 miles on the car in six months. We have done Long freeway runs and school runs and the car continues to impress. While the V6 could be more powerful it delivers its power in such a smooth way that it never really feels short of power. The interior is great. Vw just got the design right for families and it is just that bit better than any other SUV out there. For a big car it still drives like a much smaller vehicle. The adaptive cruise control and lane control are make highway driving a pleasure. With winter tires on it also seems to defeat any ice and snow that we have seen so far. For the price it is one of the best SUV’s available and as longtime VW customers we couldn’t be happier with it. UPDATE - 72,000 miles. Overall this has so far be a great vehicle. A few recalls - but as we had an early version that is to be expected. Only one fault with the blind spot system has needed multiple trips to the dealer. The only bad item has been VW's poor handling of their CarNet problems resulting from the 3G rollback. No one at VW seems to want to take ownership of this on a new vehicle model Update 90,000 miles. No proper resolution on the 3G rollback but VW corp did give us a device that replicates many of the functions. Car still going strong with minimal problems. At long last the Dealer resolved a gremlin we have had with the blind spot monitors turning themself off. Still very pleased with the vehicle and a good number of friends have purchased one having see ours.
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Great car so far!
Greg, 05/30/2017
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
58 of 64 people found this review helpful
My wife and I had been looking for a new SUV for the last few months. I'm a pretty big guy at 6'2" and about 245lbs so spaciousness is a big concern for me. After driving the pathfinder, highlander, 4 runner and pilot nothing compared to the space I have in the Atlas. It's a very comfortable ride and has great features that I've never had in a car before. The lane assist, park assist and ACC work awesome but take a bit of getting used to. The sound system sounds great even without the top of the line Fender system. In addition the apple car play interface works great! My only concern with it is that it doesn't seem to let you search for specific sounds in iTunes unless you have it in a playlist. I may be wrong on this as I've just began to play with it. All in all we have been very happy with the car so far. Time will see how well it's reliability holds up but with VWs 72000 mile warranty on this car we figured it was well worth a try.
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Don’t buy Atlas
Bruce, 12/02/2017
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
62 of 69 people found this review helpful
I bought Atlas from Leith In Raleigh in NC. 2018 SE 4motion R-Line. In two weeks the fuel pump broke and engine light and EPC lights turned on. I lost engin power. I called road assistance no body showed up after 2 hours!!! I went to service center they didn’t have parts. I drove my car 900 miles and it’s unbelievable that I have so many issues with this car. I call my dealership to complain but I was told you bought it you own it!!! Just forget about VW Atlas otherwise you will regret like me.
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Pleasantly Surprised!
C. Dionne, 01/02/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
We traded in a 2015 Honda Pilot for the new 2018 VW Atlas and it was the best trade we have ever made! The interior space (cargo and leg room) is excellent! We have two kids and moving the seats to allow for third row access is very easy and it much easier than the Pilot. The rear view camera is very nice with a wide angle view. The headlights are very bright and illuminate the entire roadway at night. The seats are very comfortable and the entertainment system is top of the line. Apple Car Play solves the need for a separate navigation system and works better than any navigation system we have ever used. The rear seat window shades (standard on the SE and SEL models) work perfectly for our kids. By far, this is the best vehicle we have purchased. Feels high end for mid-range cost and it looks great too! We have driven it for about 1 month now and the MPG are pretty good, definitely comparable to other SUVs of that size. 23.5 mpg combined as of today, according to the data in the car.
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Get An Atlas
Tom, 02/19/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
We traded in a '12 Jeep Grand Cherokee after reliability became too much of an issue. I had done a lot of research and we really wanted an SUV with the latest in modern safety tech but kept hitting $50k with all the other SUVs which was over budget. I was originally hesitant with the Atlas because it is the first model year and a lot of reviews had pegged it as slow. I ended up being surprised during the test drive as it drove great and didn't feel it was at all slow. After driving it for a few months now I still can't believe the difference in this generation of SUV compared to that of the Jeep (which we loved!). It's smoother, quieter and incredibly spacious. The main reasons we got the Atlas was the safety features, space and price. The Lane Keep Assist and ACC are amazing, if you are on the highway it can essentially drive itself. The interior is nice but I wouldn't call it luxury but that's okay as this is a family car that will inevitably be dirty with kids. The amount of room allows for two adults to actually fit in the third row and an adult can fit comfortably in the middle seat of the second row, even with two car seats on the outsides. The factory sunscreens in the rear are also and underrated feature. All in all the features, warranty and price made this the best value out there in an overpriced SUV segment.
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Large, gas-thirsty jalopy
Alex Gorsky, 10/09/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 Launch Edition 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
Bought one in June of 2017, based mostly, on some experience with VW in Europe. We haven't expected much in terms of reliability, but with long warranty decided to go for it. For the last year there were seven recalls, several suspension and A/C issues -- and VW tried to wiggle out of covering the warranty at least once (eventually we prevailed). Overall: The good: - design is solid and inoffensive - plenty of room - good visibility The bad: - reliability - VW are experts on "decontenting": the base model made terrible on purpose - A/C controls are useless (and one cannot control the rear vents from the driver seat), the materials are nasty, the seats are uncomfortable -- in a$35k car! - the real-life fuel "economy" is much worse than claimed. It's not a big deal for us, but we average 12g in the city and 20 on highway - the automatic transmission is poor - overly soft, wallowy suspension
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Sat in over 15 other SUV's before buying this.
Captain Bob, 03/20/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
After inspecting most, I test drove only two, the Honda Pilot and this one. I keep vehicles for 8 - 10 years with the hand me down to kids, so I look at materials that could look tattered early or not withstand day to day usage. This beat them all. The technology is more then I could expect. Syncing my cell phone to the unit was flawless and a great addition. Acceleration is highly under rated. I love the engine purr when taking off from a stop, very sports car like. You can't beat the interior size, with enough space in the back to put an airbed and sleep comfortably. It's about 6ft 8inch long. The seats hug your body in the turns and I appreciate the simplistic and elegant interior design as I don't want to feel like I'm driving sitting in my living furniture. You have to be a good negotiator but I beat out the Honda Pilot in cost by far, acquiring it at around $34K. Try over $40K for the comparable Honda.
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Severe vibration issues
Jeff, 02/08/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
I am enjoyed the cars from the day we bought it. I knew it was going to be on her powered but I was okay with that because of the size and the Comfort level. Unfortunately now it is winter time in Iowa. Any kind of snow event the rear rims have at half inch of snow that gathers inside of it and throws it off balance and you can not go over 50 miles an hour without having a severe vibration. We have multiple other cars and I've never had this issue before it just looks like a poor design on the of the rim
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Atlas Meets All my Essential Criteria
Scott T, 06/20/2018
updated 01/04/2021
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
I spent months reviewing 3 row SUVs and decided that the Atlas met more of requirements than any other vehicle. First the 6 year, 72,000 warranty was critical since Volkswagen has a poor reliability record. Next it uses regular gas. It has a spare tire not run flats. The interior is huge and the 3rd row is so easy to get into. It has controllable HVAC in the second row. It has both Android Auto and Car Play. I can use SD cards to play my favorite music. Safety systems are second to none and they all work reliably. You can manually turn off the Stop-Start system. The digital dash with Navigation and many other display options is fantastic. It doesn't have a Mickey Mouse looking pop up screen (like the Audi Q7). Heated and Cooled front seats are a plus in the Texas environment. The 360 degree camera makes parking a breeze and parking in the garage much easier. I bought the vehicle in Sept. 2017. It now has 17,500 and it has been to the dealer once for a scheduled oil change. The VW service experience was the best I have ever had. Now for a few complaints. The front seats get uncomfortably hard after 9 hours of driving. My 2008 Honda Odyssey is comfortable for all of a 20 hour trip. I think the seats are less comfortable because of the cooling system incorporated in them. To get the perforations in the leather to transmit the cool air the seats can't be too soft or the ventilation holes will plug when you sit on the seats. I had poor highway mileage during the first 5000 miles of ownership (20mpg). Now I get about 24 mpg. City driving is close to 18 mpg now. I think for a vehicle this weight and size the mileage is reasonable but the acceleration is not breathtaking by any means. I have a feeling VW planned to put a diesel in this vehicle but you know how that went. Everyone that rides in the Atlas is impressed. I would have liked less hard plastic on the doors below the armrests. I could have had that for only $20,000 more on the Q7 but not with the warranty, run flats, regular gas, roomy seats. None of the 10 other vehicles I was considering looks more attractive to me in hindsight.
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Great so far!
Andrea, 10/11/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful
We bought this car back in April and have just over 11,000 miles on it so far. Here is what we love: The space! Every person that gets into our car is amazed by how open and roomy it feels. The back seat is very comfortable and even the third row is pretty comfortable for a grown adult. My husband also loves the screen and it's interface. It has a very sleek feel to it. What we were surprised by: The engine. So everyone complains that it is under powered and honestly we would have agreed with that during the first several thousand miles, but for a family car and my follow the speed limit driving style it wasn't an issue. Now my husband, really likes to get up and go. After about 10,000 miles the acceleration speed and overall performance of the engine had GREATLY improved. Even my husband was impressed with how much better it did after being broke in. What could be improved: The gas mileage isn't great, but I wouldn't be looking for a large SUV if I was really that interested in my gas mileage. We average right around what the sticker says. (Because terrain makes a difference on mpg: Where we live is very flat, but we are constantly battling strong winds.) We would 100% purchase this car again. I absolutely love the comfort and the technology features. I have had zero regrets and I am so glad we chose the Atlas over it's comparable competitors.
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A great concept poorly executed and unsafe
Jeff J, 09/14/2018
updated 09/16/2019
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 Launch Edition 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
25 of 27 people found this review helpful
We test drove nine SUV's and did a lot of research before choosing the Atlas. It seemed to be the superior choice but we soon learned all that glitters isn't gold. It has proven to be unreliable and unsafe. It has shut-off the engine three times while it has been in motion, fortunately at slow speed. The most recent scary experience occurred when the auto stop/start shut of the engine then failed to restart when the brake was released. It had to be put in park and manually restarted. It spent a week in the dealership repair shop for what was supposed to be a four hour job. The entertainment system spontaneously turns itself on and the rear climate control frequently turns itself off. I recently learned from VW Customer Service that the vehicle has nine recalls but I have only received notification of four. It is sad that Volkswagen has bungled this vehicle. After reading some of the other reviews, we have been relatively fortunate. I strongly advise choosing a different vehicle and to avoid purchasing an Atlas or any Volkswagen. Update, My opinion of the Atlas has worsened since my earlier review. It has been recalled eleven times. The auto start/stop continues to malfunction. The infotainment system still acts as if it has a mind of its own as does the climate control system. The dealer service department cannot find the cause for the erratic performance. The transmission shifting is anything but smooth and the engine, once the bright spot of the vehicle, stumbles and accelerates poorly. After nearly two years of living with this poorly built vehicle, I have decided to sell it and go back to Toyota.
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We love the VW Atlas
KSM Ewing, 07/31/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
32 of 35 people found this review helpful
We knew that purchasing a vehicle it's release year was risky. We opted for the AWD SE. This has all the bells and whistles we need without having so much technology that we risk it failing. We did our research and realized the Tech version was the one that seemed to have all of the problems. I've seen reviews stated the vehicle would stall in traffic and the engine light would turn on. This is the stop-and -go technology that many people get confused on, if the vehicle shuts off to save on fuel and then you attempted to turn it on with the ignition button instead of taking your foot off the brake, the engine light will briefly come on. If stop-and-go technology isn't for you, you can turn the feature off each time you restart the thing. This is new technology and it's going in all new vehicles, people aren't use to it yet. I drive an average on 50 miles a day, mostly highway, I get 21.1 MPG, not bad considering how roomy it is. If we put a mid to higher grade fuel in it we do get even better gas mileage. We took it on a vacation in the mountains, I must say, this made me LOVE it even more. It handled like a dream, hugged the road on winding turns, and the headlights lit the side of the roads great, we were able to see any critters that may jump out in front of us in advance. The had 4 adults and 2 kids and our luggage, we had plenty of room without the everyone complaining they were mushed. The whole time we were in the mountains we had great MPGs! My only knock on the vehicle, I wish it had a better variety of colors. The only color options at our dealership was a white, black, silver, charcoal, dull navy blue and the ugly pea green/yellow. The lines on the car are beautiful and brighter, richer, colors would be best. The only colors that really show the lines are silver, white, and the ugly yellow/green, since there are tons of white SUVs on the road we opted for silver.
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Atlast!
Charlie C., 06/06/2017
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
51 of 57 people found this review helpful
I just purchased my Atlas about two weeks ago. I love the size of the vehicle and for its size, it handles nicely. If I put it in sport mode, acceleration is lively and adequate. In normal mode, acceleration is fine. The technology for the adaptive cruise control and lane keeping is amazing and although it took me a few weeks to figure everything out, it never ceases to amaze. The parking assist features work nicely as well. I use it for commuting in Houston and hauling the family around on weekends. Can't wait to take it on a long road trip. I would highly recommend this vehicle.
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My 2018 Atlas and it Parking Assist Malfunctions!
Frank A. Petillo, Sr., 10/08/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
I purchased the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SEL back on March 2018. After having it 3 days, I had to bring it in to service for a clanking noise on the passenger front wheel. Started noticing a rattle from the passenger front end when driving over rough terrain at a slow speed. The Dealer fixed it and that was good. We also complained that the Park Assist system was malfunctioning and it seems to be temperature related. Took it in and was told the dealer was unable to reproduce the problem and it operated normally. After getting the vehicle back from the dealer, it continued to occur, this time stopping the vehicle arbitrarily and flashing all the dash light like we were going to crash!! Took it into the dealer along with video about the occurrence. They updated firmware and talked to VW and when we received the car back, it happened again. It continued to occur this time we notice it only happening at temperatures above 80 degrees. We finally get VW Customer Card involved.....they have QTM tell the dealer to replace the sensors in the front of the vehicle. Received it back with same problems. We tried to initiate a buy back with VW and was recently denied. They recommend that we bring it back in to service. I wasted enough time with this vehicle and since the dealer will not be able to reproduce it (Now that it is fall here in NJ and temps are not going to get to 80+ degrees) we are going to contact an attorney to file a lemon law claim. I wanted to be sure that I can at least spare someone of the headaches this vehicle and VW has caused for my family and I. Yes it comes with 6 year 72,000 mile warranty, but the service departments are not prepared to address issues with this vehicle. This makes the warranty useless.
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Amazing Vehicle
Dan & Jo, 04/19/2018
updated 11/04/2021
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
Had a 2002 Explorer we bought new. Then two Chrysler 300's which were great road cars, last one was 4-wheel drive. My wife then bought a 2016 VW Passat to replace her 2000 Toyota Avalon, which we also bought new back then. She really loved the Passat and I did too, so we looked at the Volkswagen Atlas when it came out to replace the 2012 Chrysler 300 we had. We wanted to get back into the car and suv mode again. The Atlas was so much more of everything compared to other SUV's that we decided to try the SEL model. We are very happy so far with the selection over the others we looked at. The room and comfort to us is amazing and the third row seat is the easiest to get in and out of . It also is the most comfortable. The Atlas handles like a car and is so easy to drive. Big windows is a plus, it is easy to see all around at a glance . Sensors really help with parking, but it is so easy to park , I would really not need them, but they are nice for warning you if you get too close to something. Has good pickup and cruising speed. Averaging 21 mpg half highway and city driving. Shut off motor took a little getting used to, but I now like it. Saves allot of gas at long stop lights. Built in Chattanooga, Tenn, it is put together very well. We liked our Explorer when we had it and the Atlas is really a step up for us over anything we ever had. We really feel safe and comfortable. That is our experience so far and hope it helps people to go at least to look and drive the Atlas and see for themselves.
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A Great Value!
ReflexSilver, 01/23/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
We cross shopped the Atlas with Mazda CX9, Ford Explorer Sport, Acura MDX and XC90. The XC90 was my first choice, however the Atlas give's you 90 percent of what the XC90 does for thousands less. In my opinion the Atlas is a tremendous value, you get more space a better warranty and arguably a more reliable powertrain then the XC90. The XC90 has a slightly nicer interior and has more power but the Atlas SEL comes with remote start, a hands free kick lift gate a pano roof and Android Auto and Apple Car Play etc. I honestly love my Atlas after 2,000 miles and it's been headache free.
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2 years of ownership and still love my Atlas
SSingh, 11/06/2018
updated 11/06/2019
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
it's been 2 years since I bought it and love driving it. I had catalytic converter changed back in June under warranty, but other than that no issues.
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Atlas of the North
Minysoda, 01/13/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
4 months/5k miles, no problems noticed since new. Gas mileage a little better than advertised, great room (two big dogs, bikes, kids carseats, etc). Very comfortable ride, quiet, good looks with black 20" wheels. Car starts fine, warms up quick even at -20F. Decent in snow and probably will be better with non-factory tires. Couple things not so perfect: lane assistant is occasionally disconcerting with twitchiness when lanes are not perfectly painted or at road/driveway junctions. Doors have a 3-4" ledge on inside bottom which is bound to be a rust magnet eventually as snow, ice and moisture build up constantly on them. The front and rear sensors for cruise control spacing and warnings are easily obscured by snow/ice. Would be nice to have permanent off feature for the engine shut-off when stopped. That being said, would buy the same car again, we like it and look forward to a long relationship.
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3.6L Atlas SEL AWD
AtlasOwner, 11/02/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
We've owned it for a year and it's been flawless. A year and 9500 miles later and it has yet to go to the dealership for any reason. The 3.6 V6 is quiet and smooth and the power is more than adequate. The fuel economy is slightly worse than expected but we do all city driving and my wife drives with a heavy foot. The interior quality is good and adult's have sat in the 3rd row and have found it comfortable. The Atlas is a solid 3 row crossover.
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Winner but could be better...
BigE, 02/07/2018
updated 09/03/2020
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
Didn't realize until we owned it that there is no sunglass holder... on ANY trim. Wow, really VW?? I got this for the wife and she wanted a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. That only comes on the top SEL Premium trim. Too much money. I would have paid for a "cold weather package" but not the amount to get the expensive SEL Premium. I do like the size and comfort of the Atlas. So far I'm pretty impressed with engine and transmission even though the V6 engine is not rated as all that powerful. Kinda surprised we didn't get navigation on the SEL trim but with Android Auto I really don't care. Just got it so reliability is not known yet but the warranty is awesome. Overall we felt the Atlas gave us a lot of inside room and cargo carrying capability without being gargantuan on the outside. Nice to drive and has great ride. Too early to really tell but gas mileage seems ok in the low 20's. Very impressed with the room in the back seats. Our elderly parents should be able to ride back there in comfort. Overall a very comfortable and classy first effort in the full size SUV segment by VW. Update: Bought '18 Atlas SEL 4Motion in JAN 18. Now it has 34,000 miles after 2 and a half years. Have had no issues at all. We have gotten three oil changes and that's it. They did a recall that replaced a decal and I had them reset a sensitive front sensor during the first oil change. Otherwise I have just driven it. The Atlas is roomy and comfortable in all three rows but I just like driving it. However, my wife did not like parking it (she was used to minivans) and so I "inherited" it. Now I won't give it up! We get about 22 mpg overall with regular gas but that is with about half highway use. I am surprised by the amount of bad reviews. We just haven't had any issues. The adaptive cruise control is great! I don't like the lane keeper though so I turn it off. The forward collision alert saved me from rear ending someone the other day so that was worth every penny. I enjoy the AWD version because it let me set the steering and ride control the way I like it. We have taken it on several long (5 plus hour) trips and it is a super cruiser on the highway. Also have driven it in the mountains in NC and it does well there too.
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Airbag Deployement
Irritated Owner, 03/07/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
My wife slid into a curb during a left-hand turn into our neighborhood due to ice. She damaged the right front wheel and a couple mechanics, scratching the right rear wheel as well. There is no damage to any other part of the exterior; however, this curb impact set off all of the interior side airbags, including one seat airbag. My wife received minor pain from airbag impact but thankfully my children were not in the car because a side airbag deployed directly inside my child's head restraint. In the words of the insurance adjuster, and the service technicians at multiple dealers and body shops, they have never seen airbags deploy like this due to an impact with a curb, with so little damage as well. Total cost to repair around $10k, resale value dropped 20% according to dealer quote, as airbag deployment is on Carfax. It has been three months and VW has yet to manufacture the seat belts and seat cover for replacement. We have been without the car all this time and it could be several more months before we even get a true timeline...All due to an impact with a curb. To make things more interesting, there is another Atlas who also slid into a curb due to ice during the same storm, only damage to wheels, airbags deployed, and they are still without their car as well, three months later. I have read a similar review regarding a curb and airbag deployment from a person in another state as well. See VW support refuses to release report that dictates the airbags deployed properly, stating it's normal and therefore our fault. Considering the obvious and the testimonies of auto body specialists, there is something wrong with airbag sensors.
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They gave me a new car
Rex, 02/12/2018
updated 02/13/2019
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 S 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
25 of 29 people found this review helpful
the newer car has been excellent, my wife loves it , absolutely no complaints , thank you Volkswagen
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Great Car
WG, 06/05/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Not a $30,000 car if you want many options - more like $50,000 but well worth it compared to Audi Q7, Volvo XC90 or BMW X5 with very similar options but less space than the Atlas. With the exception of some wind noise at higher speeds it is a smooth ride and handles well for an SUV of that size. The V6 engine with the 8-speed automatic provides good acceleration (not a sports car) but consumes a little more than it should. Overall an excellent car!
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Most Roomy SUV in Class
Scottow, 01/27/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
This is the only choice in its segment if you need minivan utility and space. The buff books have criticized the old VR6 engine choice in this heavy vehicle, but it has a lengthy history of reliability and I appreciate that VW doesn’t make its customers into crash test dummies. The simple straightforward controls are ergonomic and easy to decipher. Lots of cargo room . The interior is spartan but tremulous attention to detail- very Bauhuas like all VW products. The car is large but easy to maneuver.
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Atlas 2.0T’s peppy performance
YS1970, 10/03/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Excellent acceleration from 2.0T. This SUV is 460 pounds lighter than Atlas with V6. If you can live without AWD this is better and cheaper choice. With less weight to haul around and two fewer cylinders to feed, the Atlas 2.0T was notably thriftier. We have car for 1 week averaging 25.8 MPG on mostly city driving on regular gas. Entertainment center is very easy to use with excellent sound quality. So far absolutely no problems with engine or transmission as other costumers reported.
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Worst customer satisfaction ever
Danny Goodman, 08/28/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Beware have owned the vehicle less then 4 month and it has been in the shop for over three weeks straight and no end in site recall after recall air conditioning doesn’t work right and dealer told us probably another 30 days Volkswagen corporate is the worst ever family of six wife pregnant and finally got a loaner vehicle Passat seats 5 requested a replacement a week ago and area representative said he is sorry to here that and said a least we have a car to drive. Totally uncaring to a quick response or resolving the issue with the 50,000 dollar car that sits in there care dealer has five other ones in there shop that are having the same problems never again
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Worst Purchase of my Life!
Husam, 02/13/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
29 of 34 people found this review helpful
Lots of issues , bought the vehicle in November and has been in the shop since then. auto start does not start back up, front end noise the dealer cannot figure out where its coming from. Lousy vehicle!!
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Meets all my requirements. It’s fine
Peter, 11/10/2017
updated 05/18/2021
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Car meets all my needs for roominess, safety technology, straightforward design and controls, comfort and quietness. However, at 4500 miles needed a front strut replaced. Carplay is buggy trying to listen to radio and navigate at same time. The turn signal light and blind spot warning are very close together on mirror and same color -hard to tell apart- not safe that way. Back up camera not bright enough when dark and rainy. Audible warning in backup should be standard with tech package. Overall it's still the best choice for me after looking at all it's competitors. Update. Rot front suspension again became noisy but functioned ok. Replacement parts took 6 weeks to be supplied and are now being installed. Still have minor problems with CarPlay, radio, it volume controls interaction. Since last update, i have had no problems with car. After having front end issues straightened out, everything has been fine , Have done several long distance trips in comfort and safety with car. Adaptive cruise is great, lane assist can’t see yellow line well and is more accurate in right side of car than left. Dealer support has been excellent. It’s had some recalls of little significance to me except one where gas tank as replaced Overall still best choice for me Car has been fine since initial hiccups. I liked it enough to buy it off lease and keep it for foreseeable future .
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Be prepared for weekly trips to the dealer!
Anthony, 02/06/2021
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
This was my first ever new car. I bought this a year and a half ago on my 19th birthday (correct I’m not the typical Atlas driver), I live in Missouri and go to school in Michigan and put roughly 25k miles a year on my car. For the first three months, the car worked fine until I kept getting various check engine lights and auto stop start errors randomly. I ignored them because they would go off after about 15 minutes of driving. The first problem I had was my heated steering wheel going out- no big deal except it’s the middle of winter in Michigan so the dealership replaced the entire steering wheel. ($950 billed to the warranty). One week after the new steering wheel was installed, the steering wheel heater goes out again, so I had the steering wheel replaced again (another $950 billed to the warranty). Over the next few months, various weird electronic things would pop up, but it was January in Michigan so I figured the car was cold. Everything eventually did go away. Then randomly I’m driving the car and this horrible noise coming from the engine is happening when I coast, so I called a tow truck and had it towed to the dealership- turns out a heat shield fell off and was rubbing against the drive shaft. ($450 billed to the warranty) A couple months go by then the car starts to sound like a ricer Honda Civic- turns out the entire exhaust system needed replacing ($1,250 billed to the warranty). At this point I’ve had roughly $4,300 billed to the warranty in one year (I also had various squeaks and rattles fixed too), and because of covid, I only put about 15k miles on the car in that year. Now we’re in November and various things are broken- auto high beams don’t work, the rear seat heater is broken and the seat is shaking so loud that I have to turn the radio up pretty much halfway to drown it out, if I open the sunroof, there’s a chance it won’t close, and lastly now every time I get in the car the seat motors all the way up and all the way forward (when my memory is set at all the way down and all the way back). I get all this fixed and the car is in the shop for roughly two weeks (my entire Thanksgiving break). The dealer said the rear seat part is on back order and will be there in two weeks, and there is a recall on my exhaust so it needs to be replaced (again). So I take the car back (still broken) and schedule an appointment a few weeks later. Now mind you, I’m 19 and cannot get a service loaner from the dealership, so I have my mom call up and give the insurance information whenever I was receiving a loaner. A few weeks later the part is in so I drop it off, it spends 6 days at the dealership, then I go to pick it up. The service advisor then literally tosses my keys and sends me out on the lot in the pouring rain to find my car instead of pulling it up for me. I get in the car and what happens? The seat motors all the way up and all the way forward, so I’m properly upset and I send the guy out to go get the car. He then proceeds to ask me if I know how the seat memory works and told me I was doing it wrong. (I’ve worked at multiple car dealerships and was currently selling cars at a competing dealership down the road, so I know how this stuff works). He then realized he was wrong and sends me back in the Passat loaner I was driving. One day later I get to work and the Passat has a flat, I bring it to the dealer and ask them if they have an Atlas loaner because I’m paying to drive an Atlas, not a Passat, and they give me one. I make it 3 blocks and hear *THUMP THUMP THUMP* so I bring it back, turns out they gave me a loaner that is equally as broken as my car. So I bring it back and this time they give me an Alltrack (which, also is not an Atlas). So now I have a loaner for a loaner for a loaner for my car if you’re playing along at home. A few days later they call me back in and say my car is ready. 6 days later I get in the car, seat motors all the way up and all the way forward. I bring it back, they put me in another loaner, this time a Tiguan, and I am in that for 3 days until they finally call me saying they’ve given up and they don't know what is wrong. They also proceeded to say that I had another recall on my exhaust which needs to be replaced (again). So now we are up to about $9k billed to the warranty and I am now 4 days away from leaving to go back to Michigan, so I said I’ll deal with the seat and the exhaust until I have time to get it done there. I get up to Michigan, and a red flashing triangle pops up saying “coolant system fault,” also the heated steering wheel is broken for the third time. Now we’re up to date, and today I got in the car, and it wouldn’t start so it is currently about to be towed to the dealership. Overall the Atlas ownership experience has been terrible. I am treated poorly in VW dealerships, the car is poorly made and very unreliable and now that the 6 year 72k miles bumper to bumper warranty is gone, there is no reason to buy this over the competition...
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Atlas maybe the best midsize SUV
Ken Ayers, 12/03/2017
updated 12/04/2020
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
13 of 15 people found this review helpful
I traded an Audi Q7 (2007) for an Atlas SEL Premium and I am more than satisfied. More room, more technology, better towing but not as good materials and acceleration. But it was $20,000 less expensive. The comfort, quality of ride on the interstate, quietness of the Atlas at interstate speed is as good or almost as good. The Fender sound system is much better than the Bose I had in the Audi Q7. More room and much easier to get in third row. Easier to enter and exit the back seat (2nd row). Factory towing of 5000 lbs was a plus and my travel trailer (3000 lbs) communicates with the car - turn signals and anti-theft warning. You cannot use a load weighr distribution hitch on any VW product but it pull the trailer as easy as the Audi Q7 did except for acceleration. The Atlas does a good job but not as fast as the Audi. I think for the money this is a great SUV.
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Owned for 6wks serious issue!!
DR, 11/07/2018
2018 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A)
16 of 19 people found this review helpful
Do your research before buying, go for a car thats reliable and safe for your family. My first brand new car purchase and first VW. Very happy with it at first until 6 wks into owning it something very dangerous happened. Dashboard and alarming sound occur "Brake booster faulty" is displayed. It caused brake pedal to become harder to press, therefore causing the car to come to a stop longer. It happened twice in a day very dangerous situation because it can cause an accident due to brakes not working properly. It threw my trust for this car out the window. Called the dealer right away and I decided to take it in to check. Sure enough it was a sensor that needs to be replaced already. Not happy at all. Now I'm second guessing my purchase. Its going to be hard to take it back and hope that nothing else occurs in the next month. Gas is also terrible, seems like it spends more than my Chevy Tahoe. Maybe purchasing a car that just came out is not a good thing, since nobody knows what's going to be wrong with them.
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