Volkswagen Atlas
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas presents an average reliability profile, making a thorough pre-purchase inspection crucial.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2026 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km | Fuel-economy range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 11.76 | 8.71 | 10.23 | — |
| 2025 | 20 | 26 | 22 | 11.76 | 9.05 | 10.69 | — |
| 2024 | 20 | 27 | 23 | 11.76 | 8.71 | 10.23 | 18-27 mpg combined |
| 2023 | 18 | 24 | 20 | 13.07 | 9.8 | 11.76 | 18-26 mpg combined |
| 2022 | 18 | 24 | 20 | 13.07 | 9.8 | 11.76 | — |
| 2021 | 17 | 23 | 19 | 13.84 | 10.23 | 12.38 | — |
| 2020 | 17 | 23 | 19 | 13.84 | 10.23 | 12.38 | 17-26 mpg combined |
| 2019 | 17 | 24 | 19 | 13.84 | 9.8 | 12.38 | 17-26 mpg combined |
| 2018 | 18 | 25 | 20 | 13.07 | 9.41 | 11.76 | — |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Engine code | Transmission | Drivetrain | Horsepower | Torque | Engine configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | suv | 4 | 2.0 | Regular | — | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2025 | suv | 4 | 2.0 | Regular | — | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2024 | suv | 4 | 2.0 | Regular | EA888 | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 269 hp | 273 lb-ft | Inline-4 |
| 2023 | suv | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | — | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 235-276 hp | 258-266 lb-ft | Inline-4 / V6 |
| 2022 | suv | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | — | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2021 | suv | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | — | Automatic (S8) | AWD/All-Wheel Drive | — | — | — |
| 2020 | suv | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | TSI | Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 235-276 hp | 258-266 lb-ft | TSI |
| 2019 | suv | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | TSI | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 235-276 hp | 258-266 lb-ft | TSI |
| 2018 | — | 6 | 3.6 | Regular | FSI | Automatic (S8) | AWD/All-Wheel Drive | — | — | FSI |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | msrp | pricing | currency | Base MSRP | MSRP range | Confidence | notes | Source | estimatedAt | Trim | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $37,725, MSRP range: $37,725 - $52,890, Confidence: 0.9, notes: MSRP for the 2024 model year., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 4/29/2026 | Trim: 4Motion SEL Premium R-Line | USD | $37,725 | $37,725 - $52,890 | 0.9 | MSRP for the 2024 model year. | llm_estimate | 4/29/2026 | 4Motion SEL Premium R-Line | — |
| 2023 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $35,150, MSRP range: $35,150–$53,085, Confidence: 0.9, notes: MSRP for 2023 model year, excluding destination fees and other charges., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 4/29/2026 | Trim: SEL | USD | $35,150 | $35,150–$53,085 | 0.9 | MSRP for 2023 model year, excluding destination fees and other charges. | llm_estimate | 4/29/2026 | SEL | — |
| 2022 | — | Trim: SEL Premium R-Line | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SEL Premium R-Line | — |
| 2021 | — | Trim: 4Motion SEL R-Line | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4Motion SEL R-Line | — |
| 2020 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $31,545, MSRP range: $31,545 - $49,195, Confidence: 0.9, notes: MSRP for 2020 model year., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 4/29/2026 | Trim: 4Motion SEL | USD | $31,545 | $31,545 - $49,195 | 0.9 | MSRP for 2020 model year. | llm_estimate | 4/29/2026 | 4Motion SEL | — |
| 2019 | currency: USD, Base MSRP: $30,895, MSRP range: $30,895 - $48,395, Confidence: 0.9, notes: MSRP for base S trim to top SEL Premium w/ 4MOTION trim., Source: llm_estimate, estimatedAt: 4/29/2026 | Base price: $35,495, Trim: SEL | USD | $30,895 | $30,895 - $48,395 | 0.9 | MSRP for base S trim to top SEL Premium w/ 4MOTION trim. | llm_estimate | 4/29/2026 | SEL | $35,495 |
| 2018 | — | Base price: $37,040, Trim: 4Motion SE | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4Motion SE | $37,040 |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | bodyAndInterior | mechanical | Keyless ignition | Seat rows | Steering location | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 7 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 3 | — | Standard | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 7 | 4 | 583 | 20.6 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 3 | — | Standard | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | 7 | 4 | 583 | 20.6 | Keyless ignition: Standard | — | Standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 7 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 3 | — | Standard | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 7 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 3 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.3, Front wheel: 21, Rear wheel: 21 | Standard | 3 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 117.3 | 21 | 21 |
| 2020 | 7 | 4 | 583 | 20.6 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 3 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.3, Front wheel: 21, Rear wheel: 21 | Standard | 3 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 117.3 | 21 | 21 |
| 2019 | 7 | 4 | 583 | 20.6 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 3 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.3, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | 3 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 117.3 | 18 | 18 |
| 2018 | 7 | 4 | 583 | 20.6 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 3 | Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.3, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | 3 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 117.3 | 18 | 18 |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Overall rating | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | blindSpotMonitoring | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | parkAssist | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | pedestrianAeb | blindSpotIntervention | rearAeb | laneCenteringAssist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2026 VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS SUV N/A FWD | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2024 Volkswagen Atlas SUV FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2023 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | standard | — |
| 2021 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | — | standard |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2020 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2019 Volkswagen Atlas SUV FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — |
| 2018 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SUV FWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | optional | optional | optional | standard | — | optional | optional | standard | optional | — | — | — |
Technology & electrification
Listed infotainment, equipment, battery, and charging data.
| Year | infotainment | Apple CarPlay | Android Auto |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | — |
| 2024 | Apple CarPlay: Standard, Android Auto: Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 2023 | Apple CarPlay: Standard, Android Auto: Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 2022 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | Apple CarPlay: Standard, Android Auto: Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 2019 | Apple CarPlay: Standard, Android Auto: Standard | Standard | Standard |
| 2018 | — | — | — |
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 Volkswagen Atlas presents an average reliability profile, making a thorough pre-purchase inspection crucial.
2025
Approach the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant issues within the **electrical system** and **powertrain**.
2024
Approach the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas with caution.
2023
Approach the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas with caution; its below-average reliability, particularly concerning engine stalling and electrical system failures, makes it a high-risk used purchase.
2022
Approach with caution: The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas exhibits a below-average reliability profile, primarily due to significant concerns with its engine and brake systems.
2021
Approach the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant electrical system issues, particularly with the driver's door harness, which can lead to spontaneous parking brake engagement and other malfunctions.
2020
Approach the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant safety concerns related to airbag deployment and unintended braking, coupled with recurring steering issues.
2019
Approach with caution: the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas exhibits below-average reliability, primarily due to significant issues with its airbag systems, forward collision avoidance, and electrical system.
2018
Approach the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas with caution; its below-average reliability is primarily driven by significant issues with the **electrical system**, particularly battery drain and stalling, and the **automatic emergency braking (AEB)** system's tendency for unintended activation.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Volkswagen Atlas?
Carfocal currently has 9 published Atlas reports, covering 2018 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas presents an average reliability profile, making a thorough pre-purchase inspection crucial.
Published year coverage: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the Volkswagen Atlas reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Volkswagen Atlas. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 volkswagen atlas presents an average reliability profile, making a thorough pre-purchase inspection crucial. and the 2026 volkswagen atlas offers decent value if found at a competitive price, especially considering its safety ratings and fuel efficiency. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
9 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Volkswagen Atlas?
Across Carfocal's published Atlas guides, recurring problem areas include Wheel Bolts, Brake Pads, and Brake Rotors. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Wheel Bolts, Brake Pads, and Brake Rotors.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 9
- Years tracked
- 9
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints