Volkswagen Atlas

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.

The three-row midsize SUV class is crowded and competitive. Some of MatoCar' 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 MatoCar' 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.

Which Atlas does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is available in six trim levels: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black and SEL Premium R-Line. The SE, SE with Technology and SEL trims come standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (235 horsepower, 258 lb-ft). A 3.6-liter V6 engine (276 hp, 266 lb-ft) engine is available on the SE with Technology and all the SEL permutations. Feature highlights include:

SE Comes standard with:

• Front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is optional)
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights
• Power liftgate
• Proximity keyless entry and ignition
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• 60/40-split second-row bench seat and 50/50-split third-row bench
• Manual rear window sunshades
• Digital instrument cluster
• 6.5-inch touchscreen
• Six-speaker audio system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
• Wi-Fi hotspot

The S also comes with these safety features:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)

SE with Technology Has more of the features you'll want, including:

• 20-inch wheels
• Hands-free liftgate
• Remote engine start
• Three-zone automatic climate control
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Second- and third-row USB ports
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
• Voice controls
• Wireless charging pad
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Atlas and the car in front)
• Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

Options include:

• All-wheel drive
• Panoramic sunroof
• Second-row captain's chairs
• Towing package with 5,000-pound towing capacity (V6 models only)

SEL Builds off the SE with Technology trim. The panoramic sunroof is standard at this level, as is the Towing package when you opt for a V6 engine. Other standard features include:

• All-wheel drive
• Heated steering wheel
• Power-adjustable passenger seat
• Navigation system
• Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Blind-spot intervention (automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot)

SEL R-Line Features here mirror the SEL trim, though the SEL R-Line comes standard with the V6 engine. The R-Line also includes:

• Dark gray 20-inch wheels
• Sporty front and rear bumpers
• R-Line interior trim

SEL R-Line Black Goes for a blacked-out appearance via:

• Gloss black 20-inch wheels
• Black mirror caps
• Black grille
• Black badges

SEL Premium R-Line This is the most feature-packed Atlas available. It starts with SEL R-Line content and also adds:

• 21-inch wheels
• Power-folding mirrors
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated second-row seats
• Leather upholstery
• Ambient interior lighting
• 12-speaker Fender premium audio system
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)
• 360-degree camera (gives you a top-down view of the car for tight parking situations)