The Volkswagen Atlas was the right product released at the right time. Just imagine if it had been released several years earlier!

After VW's well-known Dieselgate scandal, it needed a vehicle with juice to get it back in the heart's of consumers. The Atlas drove that charge.

Just after a few years of it being on the road now, its blocky design is getting awfully tired. To my eyes it wasn't especially good unless you were a Lego man/woman. It's time for a refresh!

From the recently released sketches from VW corporate, it's clear the changes will be minor on the outside. Essentially, the 2021 Atlas will get an updated "face," that'll be more aligned with the Atlas Cross Sport. Fingers crossed that VW gives the interior the attention it deserves — as it currently exists it is pathetic.



Volkswagen's statement reads:

Volkswagen Reveals Sketches of 2021 Atlas

These sketches give an indication of the exterior styling changes to the Atlas for the 2021 model year. The refreshed Atlas receives a revised grille, head- and taillights, and front and rear bumpers in addition to interior upgrades and new driver-assistance and technology features.

TomM - 12/16/2019 6:43:24 AM

0 Boost

Generic SUV - Nothing special - and unreliable and high cost of service

MDarringer - 12/16/2019 8:14:01 AM

0 Boost

The turbo 4 cylinder is an especially terrible application for this product. It's thrashy and crude sounding and huffs and puffs way too much.

The Atlas is OKish for reliability but still has a long way to go. It just isn't compelling and neither is the Tiguan. VW desperately needs new styling and the ID styling isn't the sweet spot either.

dumpsty - 12/16/2019 10:52:00 AM

+1 Boost

it unfortunate that VW is either unaware or unable to over more-exciting powertrains for their vehicles in the US. This revision is clearly a plan to make the Atlas look more sporty....and it does. However, they'll still offer a basic "ho-hum" engine for all trim levels. You'd think that at least the top trim & R-line versions got a stronger 300+hp/trq optional engine.

The Atlas shows us that VW is capable of doing some really enticing designs that aren't obvious watered-down efforts from Audi. The brand needs to take more of a leap to generate overall brand interest & to keep the momentum going.

trboaccord - 12/16/2019 12:27:37 PM

+1 Boost

Most Atlas sales are the V6 model which is adequate and in the competitive set on par with the competition. The interior while very large is one of the nicest in its class is it is simple and clean. Yes the kia/hyundai appear to be fancy the materials are sub-par as you would expect and they arent holding up down the road.