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(Front-wheel drive is standard on all Atlases, and all-wheel drive is $1,900 more and is common on most crossovers.) The most popular powertrain for the Atlas will be a 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 276 hp and drives all-four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Our rating of 5 here reflects our feel for the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport it’s just fine. Its 3.6-liter V-6 or 2.0-liter turbo-4 adequately power the people-mover up to highway speeds, but other crossovers do speed or towing better. Performance isn’t the first priority of the 2021 Atlas. If rated separately, the Atlas Cross Sport may do better here.
#Atlas volkswagen 2021 windows#
The roofline and windows are new and look good. The Atlas Cross Sport is a dead-ringer for the Atlas from the windows down. In top trims of the Atlas Cross Sport, that interior gets flashes of color via leather upholstery, but it’s not premium-feeling. The wide, horizontal dash doesn’t hide how massive the car is-in base trims it can be a very stark place to sit. Inside, the Atlas is straightforward and even less ambitious. Across the back, big raised lettering spans the tailgate that’s fairly clean and unadorned. Along the body sides, the Atlas looks mostly like the box it was shipped in just a few creases in the doors and fenders keep it from looking slab-sided. The grille on the Atlas is more in line with the Cross Sport this year the bumper dips lower and the chrome has a few more curves. Starting from an average score of 5, we’ll ring the bell once on the interior and land at a 4 for style. The interior is still pretty drab and only gets more interesting in some trims-although we’re still not sold. The overall look is fine and a little tougher this time around, which we don’t mind. The three-row Atlas received a slight fluff and buff to its bumpers to bring it closer to the Atlas Cross Sport’s looks. The two Atlas models (Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport) are siblings in almost every way this year. VW covers the Atlas with a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper to bumper warranty that’s better than many competitors. Base Atlas S and Atlas Cross Sport S models make do with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, the rest of the lineup gets a better 8.0-inch touchscreen. The 2021 Atlas earns top marks in crash tests, and it avoids crashes well, too, with standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitors. The cargo areas of both crossovers dare us for more pallets of flowers at the home improvement store. No Atlas is cramped, but the two-row Atlas Cross Sport is nearly palatial-rear seat riders get more than 40 inches of leg room, which is more than full-size SUVs and some luxury sedans. The Atlas is gifted with a soft ride and quiet interior, which can seat up to eight. The engines behave similarly in most situations, but the V-6 is more popular and a better fit for the all-wheel-drive system and snow-state shoppers. Both engines drive an 8-speed automatic transmission and send power to the front or all four wheels. Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 235 horsepower or a 276-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6.
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Inside, that straightforward attitude doesn’t work as well-it can be kind of boring. It’s plainer and straighter than many competitors, which is fine. The Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport share many similarities, including the same style from the windows down.
#Atlas volkswagen 2021 upgrade#
A V-6 engine upgrade is available too, and it costs $1,400 more than comparably equipped turbo-4 versions. All-wheel drive is available at every trim level for $1,900. The Atlas Cross Sport costs $1,000 less than similarly trimmed Atlas crossovers. The base Atlas S costs $32,565 for front-wheel drive and a turbo-4.
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The 2021 Atlas is available in S, SE, and SEL trim levels with tech, premium, and R-Line appearance packages scattered throughout.