DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front-engine, FWD
ENGINE TYPE 10.6-deg V-6 iron block/
alum head
VALVETRAIN DOHC, 4 valves/cyl
DISPLACEMENT 219.5 cu in/3,597cc
COMPRESSION RATIO 12.0:1
POWER (SAE NET) 276 hp @ 6,200 rpm
TORQUE (SAE NET) 266 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm
REDLINE 6,500 rpm
WEIGHT TO POWER 15.7 lb/hp
TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic
AXLE/FINAL DRIVE RATIO 3.60:1/2.41:1
SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Control arms, coil
springs, anti-roll bar;
multilink, coil springs,
anti-roll bar
STEERING RATIO 16.3:1
TURNS LOCK TO LOCK 2.3
BRAKES, F; R 13.2-in vented disc;
12.2-in disc, ABS
WHEELS 8.0 x 18-in cast
aluminum
TIRES 245/60R18 105T (M+S)
Continental CrossCon-
tact LX Sport
DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE 117.3 in
TRACK, F/R 67.2/67.8 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 198.3 x 78.3 x 70.0 in
GROUND CLEARANCE 8.0 in
APPRCH/DEPART ANGLE 20.4/22.4 deg
TURNING CIRCLE 38.1 ft
CURB WEIGHT 4,344 lb
WEIGHT DIST, F/R 57/43%
TOWING CAPACITY 5,000 lb
SEATING CAPACITY 7
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 BEH F/M/R 96.8/55.5/20.6 cu ft
TEST DATA
ACCELERATION TO MPH
0-30 2.6 sec
0-40 3.9
0-50 7. 3
0-60 9. 5
0-70 12.0
0-80 15.3
0-90 18.9
PASSING, 45-65 MPH 3.9
QUARTER MILE 15.6 sec @ 90.8 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 130 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.81 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT 27.6 sec @ 0.62 g (avg)
TOP-GEAR REVS @ 60 MPH 1,700 rpm
CONSUMER INFO
BASE PRICE $36,165
PRICE AS TESTED $38,265
STABILITY/TRACTION CONTROL Yes/Yes
AIRBAGS 6: Dual front, front-side,
f/r curtain
BASIC WARRANTY 6 years/72,000 miles
POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 6 years/72,000 miles
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 3 years/36,000 miles
FUEL CAPACITY 8.0 gal
REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB 19.9/27.5/22.7 mpg
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 18/25/20 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 187/135 kW-hr/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.94 lb/mile
RECOMMENDED FUEL Unleaded regular2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE V 6
was a software issue related to a replace-
ment steering rack that was causing it
to perform so poorly. It took about 30
seconds behind the wheel to feel the
difference the software fix made.
So what can I tell you? For most of the
year I spent with the Atlas, the turning
radius was atrocious, making even the
simple act of parking in a lot an annoying,
multiple-step maneuver. I can tell you
from experience that yelling obscenities
while parking doesn’t help the turning
circle, no matter how loud you scream.
The steering feel was also compromised—
our long-termer’s steering had a dulled-
down feeling all the time. The best way I
can describe it is that it felt like the power
steering was only working at 75 percent
of its capability.
Once we got the steering fixed, my
opinion of the Atlas did grow sunnier,
though it’s still not perfect. Maybe I’m
being unfair to compare the driving expe-
rience to my previous long-term vehicle,
the slightly smaller Mazda CX-9. But in
my opinion the Mazda still sets the ride
and handling bar for the competitive set.
Setting the Mazda aside, if you compare
the Atlas to one of the newer competi-
tors, such as the Kia Telluride, my new
long-term ride, there’s a noticeable lack
of refinement in ride quality and body
control in the Atlas. Swinging back to a
point that I made early on in my time
with the Atlas, Volkswagen should have
made the GTI of three-row SUVs, not just
another minivan alternative.
As far as efficiency, the Atlas averaged
20.3 mpg over our 14 months with it.
That number was helped by some long
road trips; my day-to-day mileage fell
short of that number. Most of my fill-ups
happened in the 250-mile range, which
made me a regular at the local gas station.
Comparatively, the 20.3 mpg puts the
Atlas within spitting distance of our
long-term Subaru Ascent and my long-
term Mazda CX-9, which both averaged
about 21 mpg. The purple-coat-wearing
wizards over at Real MPG managed a
combined fuel economy of 22.7 mpg and
an impressive highway rating of 27.5 mpg
in the Atlas.
Maintenance costs for our Atlas were
fairly low: We only spent $167.69 on two
oil changes and accompanying inspec-
tions. We got off pretty cheap compared
to my long-term CX-9, which cost us
$322.35 over the year. And our long-term
2016 Honda Pilot Elite three-row SUV’s
$378.62 in maintenance costs make the
Atlas looks like a bargain.
At the end of the day, did I enjoy my
time in the Atlas? No. With each of my
previous eight long-term vehicles, I
found something to reminisce about
long after the vehicle left our fleet, but
that isn’t the case this time. It does offer
a cavernous interior space with plenty
of seating, which some consumers will
prioritize, and that’s OK.
For me, though, even a three-row
family hauler needs to be a more
complete package than what Volkswagen
has offered here. Mazda did it with the
CX-9, Kia has done it with the Telluride,
and Volkswagen has proven capable of
delivering the same in the past. No one
ever made a great car by simply checking
off the boxes of what the consumer
expects, though. Instead of just checking
the boxes, Volkswagen needs to make
Volkswagens again.JUNE 2020 MOTORTREND.COM 85