MAY 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 45LAYOUT, VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS
67.2”70.^0
”78.3”67.8” 117.3”
198.3”COVER STORY
need that third row and room for tons of
stuff, a minivan is a better option.
No SUV can match the passenger room,
cargo space, and utility that minivans
offer. That said, despite not being as
functional, the usability of three-row
midsize crossovers has improved greatly.
And they look better, too. But it ain’t just
clever marketing that has boosted sales.
SUVs are much more capable for families
now than they were a decade ago. And the
segment is more crowded than ever.
So which is the one to choose? Some-
times it depends on your priorities.Despite its roominess, the VW Atlas’
busy ride and handling and recalcitrant
powertrain need improvement before it
can be a strong player in this segment.
The same can be said for the Ford;
although different powertrains are
available, the combination of the 2.3-liter
turbo with the 10-speed and rear-wheel
drive delivered a terrible overall calibra-
tion. Its content-per-dollar also makes
for a poor value proposition.
The Mazda CX-9 is the most fun
to drive in this group, but for a family
seeking spacious transportation, its
tighter packaging makes it less appealing.
Its aging technology doesn’t help, either.
The Chevrolet Traverse, on the other
hand, offers a spacious cabin and modern
infotainment system, but its weak safety
features and cheap interior land it well
down our roster.
The Toyota brings a strong value game
and sharp interior design. However,
the Highlander’s claustrophobic third
row, outdated infotainment system,
and thrashy powertrain relegated it to a
disappointing finish.The Atlas’ infotainment system integrates
the buttons in a nice, efficient way.Any of the vehicles in the top four
places are worth considering. A solid
new player, the Hyundai Palisade scored
highly for its attention to detail, but its
hard seats and harsh ride kept it off the
podium. You won’t regret owning one,
but there are better options.
The Honda Pilot has aged well, and the
updated transmission and infotainment
system erased our main quibbles over
the past years’ models. Its packaging and
value continue to be among the best in
the segment.2019 Volkswagen Atlas
HEADROOM, F/M/R 41.3/40.4/38.3 in
LEGROOM, F/M/R 41.5/37.6/33.7 in
SHOULDER ROOM, F/M/R 61.5/60.8/54.9 in
CARGO VOLUME BEHIND
F/M/R96.8/55.5/20.6 cu ftCURB WEIGHT; DIST, F/R 4,725 lb; 55/45%
GROUND CLEARANCE 8.0 in
APPROACH/DEPART ANGLE 20.4/22.4 deg
TURNING CIRCLE 38.1 ft
TOWING CAPACITY 5,000 lb