2022 Volkswagen Atlas

March 25, 2022

The anonymous 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is why big and boxy SUVs get a bad rap, but it's also a solid alternative to a minivan. With an expansive cargo area and three-row seating that accommodates adults comfortably in the wayback, the Atlas is better at family transport than many other mid-size utes. VW also fits it with popular driver assists and desirable standard equipment, especially in the middle models of the lineup, that improve its value proposition. Power comes from a standard turbo-four engine or a stout V-6; both offered with front- or all-wheel drive. While the sizable SUV isn't at all engaging to drive, its road manners are reassuring. Unfortunately, its uninspired interior aesthetic and rough ride on broken surfaces keep it from looking or feeling as refined as rivals. Still, the 2022 Atlas excels at being a size XL.

Fuel

The Atlas's fuel-economy ratings aren't groundbreaking for this class of big-box family haulers, but its real-world performance isn't far off from the segment's fuel sippers. The four-cylinder model is the most efficient with the front-wheel drive variant scoring ratings of 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The thirstier V-6 model is rated at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway with all-wheel drive. We ran both variants on our 75-mph real-world route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and the V-6 Atlas returned 24 mpg; the four-cylinder model delivered 27 mpg.

Engine Performance

The Atlas comes with one of two engines a 235-hp four-cylinder or a 276-hp V-6. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. The V-6 feels and sounds refined, transmitting nary a shiver into the cabin. Though the last four-cylinder and V-6 models we tested had ordinary acceleration, out on the road, they rarely felt underpowered. While it's not as much fun to drive as the Mazda CX-9, the Atlas responds obediently to steering inputs and never feels clumsy. It is composed on the highway and nimble in the city.