2019 Volkswagen Atlas Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review

- Spacious interior offers ample room for passengers in all three rows
- Great compromise between precise handling and everyday comfort
- Straightforward cabin design makes everything easy to use
- Not very quick to accelerate, even with the optional V6
- Fuel economy lags that of some competitors
- Two new trim levels debut
- Expanded availability of features for 2019
- Part of the first Atlas generation introduced for 2018
Volkswagen designed its Atlas specifically for the American market, so that explains this big SUV's abundance of passenger and cargo space. It's got three rows of seating and one of the highest cargo capacities you'll find. But it also possesses all of the typical Volkswagen touches such as high-quality interior surfaces, abundantly available safety tech and excellent on-road performance.
On the highway, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is comfortable and quiet. In the city, it's easier to maneuver than you'd expect. Power is lacking a bit when you compare it to top rivals, but that's the one minor flaw we've been able to find in its on-road performance. Otherwise, the Atlas has a long list of virtues.
You also get more standard features on some trim levels this year. We specifically like that every Atlas now comes with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. On the SE, you get three-zone climate control, and on the SEL you get Digital Cockpit instrumentation, LED taillights, a navigation system and a heated steering wheel.
Overall, we're quite pleased with the 2019 Atlas. Alongside other top rivals such as the Honda Pilot and the Mazda CX-9, it should be one of your top models to consider for a three-row crossover SUV this year.
Notably, we picked the 2019 Atlas as one of Edmunds' Best Midsize SUVs for this year.
What's it like to live with?
Want to know even more about the Atlas? Edmunds added a 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE to our long-term road test fleet. Our editors spent a year driving Volkswagen's biggest SUV, racking up more than 20,000 miles. Check out our VW Atlas long-term test coverage to read more about our experience, from real-world fuel economy to reliability. Note that while the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas differs slightly from our long-term 2018 model, nearly all of our observations still apply.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
7.8 / 10Trim tested
Scorecard
Overall | 7.8 / 10 |
Driving | 8.0 |
Comfort | 8.0 |
Interior | 8.0 |
Utility | 8.0 |
Technology | 8.0 |
Driving
8.0Acceleration
7.0Braking
8.0Steering
9.0Handling
7.5Drivability
8.0Off-road
7.5Comfort
8.0Seat comfort
7.0Ride comfort
8.0Noise & vibration
7.5Climate control
9.0Interior
8.0Ease of use
7.5Getting in/getting out
8.0Driving position
7.5Roominess
9.5Visibility
8.0Quality
7.5Utility
8.0Small-item storage
7.5Cargo space
10.0Child safety seat accommodation
7.5Towing
7.5Technology
8.0Audio & navigation
8.5Smartphone integration
8.0Driver aids
8.5Voice control
5.5Which Atlas does Edmunds recommend?
2019 Volkswagen Atlas models
The Atlas is offered in seven trim levels: S, SE, SE with Technology, SE with Technology R-Line, SEL, SEL R-Line and SEL Premium. The base S comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (235 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque). All other trim levels come with a 3.6-liter V6 engine (276 hp, 266 lb-ft). Front-wheel drive is standard, and V6 models can also be ordered with all-wheel drive (standard on the SEL Premium). Regardless of engine, every Atlas gets an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Base Atlas S models have cloth seating, a bench seat in the second row, LED automatic headlights, dual-zone manual climate control, a rearview camera and cruise control. For 2019, Volkswagen makes forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard for all Atlas trim levels. The Atlas S also has a 6.5-inch touchscreen interface that offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity.
Upgrading to the SE adds simulated-leather upholstery, push-button start, a power driver's seat, heated front seats, rear sunshades, three-zone automatic climate control, a larger 8-inch touchscreen interface, Car-Net subscription services, and the option of captain's chairs in the second row. The SE with Technology builds on the SE's equipment list with the addition of remote engine start, a power rear liftgate, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and an active blind-spot monitor.
Moving up to the SEL adds a panoramic sunroof, LED taillights, a power-adjustable front passenger's seat, a heated steering wheel, a hands-free rear liftgate, park distance control, an upgraded touchscreen display with navigation, and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit. Digital Cockpit is a display that replaces the standard gauge cluster with a reconfigurable video screen that shows a wide variety of information beyond basic speed, fuel and temperature readings. Both the SE with Technology and the SEL are available with the R-Line upgrade, which adds 20-inch wheels, unique bumpers, side skirts and badging, and some unique interior trim.
The top-of-the-line SEL Premium adds standard all-wheel drive, automatic high-beam headlights, power-folding mirrors with puddle lamps, full leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a 12-speaker Fender sound system, a 360-degree surround-view parking camera, and a parking assist system. The SEL Premium also gets its own unique 20-inch wheels, with 21-inchers as an available option.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Safety
Our experts like the Atlas models:
- Blind-Spot Warning System
- Alerts you with visual and audible warnings if other vehicles are in your blind spot.
- Post-Collision Braking System
- Applies the brakes once the airbags go off to reduce the possibility of further damage or injury after initial impact.
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Sounds an alert when you drift from your lane due to inattention and can automatically steer to help out.
NHTSA Overall Rating
5 out of 5 stars- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall5 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover15.9%
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
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Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas Overview
The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is offered in the following submodels: Atlas SUV. Available styles include V6 SEL Premium 4MOTION 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SEL 4MOTION 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SE w/Technology 4MOTION 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SE 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SEL R-Line 4MOTION 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A), S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), V6 SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SEL 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SE w/Technology R-Line 4MOTION 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 S 4MOTION 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SE w/Technology R-Line 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SE 4MOTION 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A), V6 SEL R-Line 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A), SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and SE w/Technology 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Pre-owned Volkswagen Atlas models are available with a 3.6 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 276 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas comes with all wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 8-speed shiftable automatic. The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas comes with a 6 yr./ 72000 mi. basic warranty, a 3 yr./ 36000 mi. roadside warranty, and a 6 yr./ 72000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
Price comparisons for Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas trim styles:
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology 4MOTION is priced between $32,590 and$41,998 with odometer readings between 4850 and60949 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology is priced between $29,990 and$39,590 with odometer readings between 4916 and66405 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL 4MOTION is priced between $36,998 and$43,998 with odometer readings between 10607 and52332 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium 4MOTION is priced between $38,350 and$48,998 with odometer readings between 13410 and58172 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas S is priced between $26,998 and$31,998 with odometer readings between 20926 and70076 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE w/Technology R-Line 4MOTION is priced between $36,998 and$42,998 with odometer readings between 20810 and49765 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE is priced between $33,990 and$35,307 with odometer readings between 18112 and45948 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL is priced between $35,499 and$41,998 with odometer readings between 16183 and66570 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas SE is priced between $33,590 and$35,998 with odometer readings between 17358 and41385 miles.
- The Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SE 4MOTION is priced between $29,995 and$36,990 with odometer readings between 18713 and82342 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2019 Volkswagen Atlases are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2019 Volkswagen Atlas for sale near. There are currently 154 used and CPO 2019 Atlases listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $26,998 and mileage as low as 4850 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2019 Volkswagen Atlas.
Can't find a used 2019 Volkswagen Atlass you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
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Should I lease or buy a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Volkswagen lease specials
Check out Volkswagen Atlas lease specials
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