2019 Volkswagen Atlas

The SEL trim would be the ideal option in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas lineup offering a great set of features. It offers a considerable amount of increased feature set over all of the lower trims while being significantly cheaper than the highest-end trims. The SEL trim comes with an updated touchscreen infotainment unit along with a sunroof and more luxury on the interior. All of this makes it the best option to choose.

The 2019 Atlas comes in three main trim options and four sub-trim options. The main trims of the Volkswagen Atlas are namely S, SE, and SEL. The SE further comes in two other versions that are SE Tech and SE Tech R-Line while the SEL comes in two other sub-trim options which are SEL R-Line and SEL Premium. Two among these are, as we can see, R-Line editions and they come with special exterior and interior appearance elements.

The other sub-trims, the SE Tech is the SE trim with some extra technological and driver assistance features while the SEL Premium is the top-of-the-line most luxurious trim offering the maximum of features and creature comfort. The base S trim comes with a standard 2.0 L Inline-4 engine in an FWD configuration whereas if you opt for the 4Motion AWD model then the Atlas will be equipped with the stronger 3.6L V6 which is the standard engine in all other trims. All trims except the top-end SEL Premium come with a choice between FWD or AWD whereas the SEL Premium is exclusively AWD.

Despite being the least powerful SUV amongst all of the competition, the 2019 Atlas also fails to provide us with surprising or even impressive fuel efficiency. The Atlas is one of the least efficient vehicles in this class. With the V6 engine under the hood, the Atlas delivers an efficiency of 17 MPG in the city, 23 on the highway, and a combined efficiency of 19 MPG. Along with a lower sized 18.6-gallon fuel capacity, it provides us with a combined range of around 353 miles which is a low distance. 

The 2019 Toyota Highlander is the most efficient machine among all of these delivering a combined efficiency of 22 MPG. However, the Chevrolet Traverse with a slightly lower efficiency delivers the most range, due to its higher capacity of 21.7 gallons. The Pilot, however, amazes us with an impressive combined fuel efficiency of 21 MPG even while being the fastest vehicle in this class.

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is an ultra-spacious SUV offering immense amounts of space in the first and second rows and a usable third row with enough space. The lower trims come with cloth seating surfaces in Titan Black which are upgraded to V-Tex leatherette in the mid-level trims with one more color option which is named Shetland. The highest-end trim comes with ventilated leather seating surfaces for 1st and 2nd row and comes with one more color choice that is Golden Oak.

The Atlas features 60/40-split folding 2nd-row seats providing easy entry to the 3rd-row and a 50/50-split folding 3rd row. The third row is also spacious and can accommodate adults comfortably. This is one of the main advantages of the Atlas as it doesn’t come with a useless third row. Ingress and egress to and fro the Atlas is easy and visibility outward is also good. Overall the Atlas comes with a feature-rich and premium interior that is neatly designed. 

The Volkswagen Atlas’s infotainment unit differs according to the trim chosen. The base trim comes with a composition color touchscreen sound system along with a 6.5" color display which is upgraded to an 8-inch unit in the mid-level trims. The higher-end SEL trim and upwards gets another 8-inch infotainment unit named Discover Media along with the Volkswagen digital cockpit. The infotainment unit is easy to use and intuitive and the Fender premium audio system in the top-end trim is also impressive

The following are some of the most important infotainment features-

• Volkswagen Digital Cockpit
• Discover Media touchscreen navigation system with 8" color display
• Fender Premium Audio System
• SiriusXM Traffic trial subscription and 3-month 
• SiriusXM Travel Link trial subscription
• 2 front USB data ports and 2 rear USB charging ports 
• SiriusXM All Access with a 3-month trial subscription

The Volkswagen Atlas is an old-school-looking SUV that has a boxy design language. The Atlas is available in eight exterior color options and the wheels range from 18 to 21-inches according to the trim chosen. The Atlas is definitely not a looker but is an executive-looking machine that doesn’t actually want to be a poser but a functional vehicle. Overall it is a typical Volkswagen-looking SUV offering the plane and flat design language but in the usual, good way.

The R-Line models have some distinct styling elements all around and inside them including 20-inch wheels, exclusive bumpers, side skirts, and badges. The Atlas is a heavy SUV weighing in at 4,528 lbs. The added heft is the main thing that affects the speed of the vehicle. The Volkswagen Atlas is still a plain-looking SUV in the midst of more aggressive and updated-looking vehicles. 

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is the most bland-looking vehicle compared to the competition. The Toyota and the Chevy are the more sporty-looking ones while the Pilot looks classy and sporty at the same time. The Pilot also happens to be the least practical with a lower ground clearance of 7.3-inches which is slightly lower than all of the others with the same ground clearance. The Chevrolet and the Atlas are the largest ones and they obviously also offer the most space.

The following are some of the most important exterior features of the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas-

• LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Automatic headlights
• Fog Lights with low-speed corner-illuminating feature
• Power tilting/sliding panoramic sunroof 
• Remote opening and a closing power liftgate with closing assist 
• R-Line bumpers and badging 
• 21" two-tone machined alloy wheels

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is a very safe vehicle equipped with a lot of safety features as standard as well as optional features. The standard features include Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, and Engine Brake Assist along with many others. NHTSA, as well as IIHS, have also tested and rated the 2019 Atlas. Both agencies have awarded the Atlas with impressive ratings including an overall 5-star rating from NHTSA as well as Good ratings from IIHS.

The following are some of the most important safety features in the Volkswagen Atlas-

• Overhead View Camera (Area View)
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking (Front Assist)
• Pedestrian Monitoring (included in Front Assist)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Park Distance Control
• Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist)
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Maneuver Braking (included in Park Distance Control)

2019 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2019 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is a great option in this segment offering a little more sporty driving experience. It is also faster and offers slightly better fuel economy compared to the Atlas. The Volkswagen Atlas is, however, the more spacious option offering a much better third row. Overall, if drivability and reliability are your concern, then the Highlander would be the better choice, but to carry more people around comfortably, the Atlas would be a better choice.

2019 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2019 Honda Pilot

The 2019 Honda Pilot is the most athletic and sporty machine in the segment. It is much faster than the Atlas while also being a better-looking machine. The Atlas has a more spacious third row and an increased overall interior space over the Honda Pilot. The Honda Pilot is also the better choice in terms of fuel efficiency. Overall if not for space, the Pilot is the best option and only if you need a spacious third row, then opt for the VW.

The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is a spacious and luxurious option in the three-row SUV segment. The Atlas offers a spacious interior including a usable third row that can seat adults. However, the Atlas is not the most sporty or powerful machine or the most engaging one to drive. Even more so, it doesn’t offer increased fuel efficiency and also lacks range. Overall, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is not the best option in the segment considering that the Chevy Traverse and Honda Pilot are much better choices.