2022 Volkswagen Atlas

　　

2022 Volkswagen Atlas Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is a midsize three-row crossover SUV and is the largest model currently available in VW's lineup. The Tennessee-built Atlas offers plenty of space, a nice balance of ride comfort and road feel, and easy-to-use tech features. Volkswagen has updated the Atlas a handful of times since its debut in 2018 with revised styling, additional features and new tech. For 2022, the Atlas drops its base trim level as well as adding more standard features to the remaining trims.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$207/mo  for Atlas SE

　　Atlas SE

　　SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $34,335 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $36,235 MSRPSE w/Technology 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $38,505 MSRPSE w/Technology 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $40,255 MSRPSE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $40,405 MSRPSE w/Technology 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $42,155 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $44,105 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $45,855 MSRPSEL R-Line 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 04/22 (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $47,255 MSRPSEL R-Line Black 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $47,805 MSRPSEL Premium R-Line 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 8A) - $51,505 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The three-row midsize SUV class is crowded and competitive. Some of zzdcar' favorites include the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-5. You could also look at the stylish Atlas Cross Sport if you like the Atlas but don't need the third row. But overall there's a lot here to like. Check out our test team's Expert Rating to learn more about the Atlas' hits and misses.

　　

What's it like to live with?

Our test team evaluated a Volkswagen Atlas over the course of a year and more than 20,000 miles. You can read about everything they liked and didn't like in zzdcar' VW Atlas long-term road test review. Note that while we tested a 2018 model, the 2022 Atlas is of the same generation and most of our observations still apply.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Atlas drive? Neither Atlas engine is all that great. The optional V6 engine delivers decent acceleration off the line but runs out of oomph when the Atlas is merging at speed, even with an empty cabin. Our V6-equipped Atlas test vehicle needed 8.5 seconds to cover 0-60 mph, which is slower than many rival three-row SUVs. We also tested the base four-cylinder — surprisingly, that Atlas was quicker, with 0-60 mph coming up in 8.1 seconds.

　　Otherwise, the Atlas is pleasant to wheel around considering its size. It's composed and stable when going around turns, and the smooth brakes and transmission shifting make this an easy SUV to drive every day.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Atlas? The Atlas' front seats lack some adjustability, and the bottom cushions feel a little flat and long, which might be uncomfortable for short drivers. Both back rows recline, and the second row slides and has a slightly firmer middle seat.

　　The Atlas has a settled ride quality. The suspension absorbs most bumps and road undulations without getting overly floaty. There's some road noise, and the large mirrors generate noticeable wind noise at highway speeds, but it's nothing the audio system can't conceal. The Atlas' climate system is strong and has plenty of heating and cooling capacity.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below