2024 Volkswagen Atlas, All you want to know about a Great Car
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition Promises Base Campy Off-Roading
Can the Peak Edition up the midsize VW SUV’s peak off-road performance?
Volkswagen is adding a new appearance package for its Atlas seven-passenger midsize SUV that’s designed to look like it can drive on the wild side. Keep in mind, though, that the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Peak Edition that broke cover at the New York Auto Show wearing body cladding to create a more rugged overland look is still spun off the car-based Atlas.
The new trim was inspired by the lifted Basecamp Concept shown back in 2019. To manage expectations, we should tell you that our test of a 2021 VW Atlas Basecamp did not go well. In trying to challenge its rugged upgrades, the SUV had to be towed out of a not overly tricky section of an off-road course.
To be fair, the Basecamp was not an official Atlas trim level, but was an off-road oriented accessories kit with pieces like fake skid plates first shown on the concept at the 2019 New York auto show. It was mechanically identical to the rest of the Atlas lineup and the add-ons actually decreased the departure angle, the clearance under the rear bumper that helps you scamper off steep inclines without dragging the tail.
That the Atlas Peak Edition is the spiritual successor to the Basecamp means it’s off to an inauspicious start. It, too, is primarily an appearance play but with better all-terrain tires. But while the Basecamp was a dealer-installed option for the 2021-23 model years, the Peak Edition is a more cohesive getup with upgrades inside and out, says Director of Product Marketing Serban Boldea.
Volkswagen will market and sell the Peak Edition as a “trim,” starting this summer, but it will actually be an option package on two trim levels. Details will come later but expect the package to be offered on the most popular trims and not on the top-tier R-Line.
And if it proves popular, the smaller Volkswagen Taos could be next in line to get a Peak Edition.
So, Whaddya Get?
To distinguish the Peak Edition from the rest of the Atlas family, it has a more rugged front fascia and silver underbody cladding. Across the lower fascia is a gloss black “X” design that you might recognize from the five-passenger Atlas Sport; that makes it exclusive to the three-row, not-Sport Atlas Peak Edition.
The Peak Edition adds some black-out detailing and yes, it has its own badging: a black badge with an orange and chrome Peak Edition logo on the front quarter panel that may be the highlight of the package. It also wears 18-inch black-painted aluminum wheels with 255/60 all-terrain tires (the Basecamp had 17s).
The side sills are black and silver and the blacked-out theme continues on the mirror caps, wheel arches, roof rails and around the windows. The tailgate strip is—you guessed it—black and the Peak Edition sports a black and silver diffuser with chrome exhaust bezels.
Inside, the leatherette is black, but there are gray accents and orange stitching. A black metallic check pattern is on the dash and door and the Peak Edition logo shows up again, this time on the steering wheel. The 30-color ambient lighting includes a backlit dash design that spells out “Peak Edition.”
So, Why?
Volkswagen wanted to bring a more outdoorsy look to the Atlas lineup, Boldea says. Off-road appearances are becoming more popular and VW wanted to be a player.
The team looked at more aggressive ways to make it off-road capable but did not want to compromise the on-road experience with a stiffer suspension or increased tire noise, since most customers will drive only on pavement. So, VW opted for an appearance package with a new tire and wheel package and standard all-wheel drive.
After first being introduced for the 2017 model year, the 2024 Atlas lineup sees its four- and six-cylinder engines replaced with a single new turbocharged four-cylinder that generates 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque and is designed to provide better acceleration while improving fuel economy.
The 2024 lineup also addresses consumer requests for a more premium cabin with nicer materials and more screens, Boldea says. The new electrical architecture makes is possible to provide, as standard equipment, Volkswagen’s IQ Drive to help avoid rear-end collisions, as well.
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Starting at $38,000 est
- HIGHS: Interior space measured in acres, helpful warranty, practical towing capacity.
- LOWS: Not as polished as competitors, somewhat corporate interior, knobs are better than touchscreens.
- VERDICT: The Atlas does a marvelous job at giving people the space they need, but it can be a little dull when it comes to the finer details.
Overview
Three-row SUVs, like the Volkswagen Atlas, answer the needs of families big and small by offering space, comfort, and towing power without the power-sliding doors of a dorky minivan. Thanks to its spacious third row, the seven-passenger Atlas serves as a comfortable way to transport adults. Thanks to its large cabin, with the second- and third-row seats folded, the Atlas transforms into a useful tool for hauling cargo.
Power comes from a 269-hp turbocharged inline-four engine bolted to an eight-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available as an option. The Atlas, which competes against more refined competitors such as the Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and Mazda CX-9, gets better with every update Volkswagen throws at it. There’s even an Atlas Cross Sport, reviewed separately, which puts a stylish spin on the SUV at the expense of a third row.
What’s New for 2024?
Volkswagen is giving the Atlas a stylish makeover for 2024 atop a host of brand-new standard equipment. The most obvious change is the Atlas’ new look. A revised front fascia with new headlights is on for trim levels above SE. There are new wheel designs across the entire lineup, including 21-inch wheels for the R-Line models. Volkswagen ditches the previously available 276-hp V-6, and instead offers the Atlas with only a 269-hp turbocharged inline-four powertrain.
Despite the difference in powerplants, the max towing capacity remains 5000 pounds, and an eight-speed transmission with front-wheel drive is still standard. All-wheel drive remains an option. For the cockpit, the refreshed Atlas gets a bunch of new, more upscale trim thrown into its otherwise plastic basket. For 2024, Volkswagen also makes a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats standard equipment. A 12.0-inch infotainment screen is also new, which is a big upgrade from the previous 8.0-inch unit.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’d recommend adding 4Motion all-wheel drive to the Atlas SE with Technology. This brings remote start and includes USB charging ports for the third row. To that, we’d spec the second-row captain’s chairs and the tow hitch, which unlocks the Atlas’s maximum towing capacity of 5000 pounds.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Every Atlas comes with the same engine now: a 269-hp turbocharged four-cylinder with 273 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with eight-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. We haven’t driven an Atlas with this new engine yet, so we don’t know if it makes the big SUV feel peppier than the previous turbo-four did. We’ll update this story with our impressions and test results from our intensive testing regimen when we do get behind the wheel.
Our previous experience with the Atlas makes us believe it will again respond obediently to steering inputs and never feel clumsy. It should remain composed on the highway and reasonably nimble in the city with a ride that’s generally smooth over all but the harshest potholes. But since there are no obvious chassis changes for 2024 we doubt the Atlas will be as fun to drive as the aging-but-still-athletic Mazda CX-9.
Towing and Payload Capacity
Every Volkswagen Atlas can tow as much as 5000 pounds. That’s as good as the Toyota 4Runner and Subaru Ascent.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn’t given the refreshed Atlas an EPA rating yet; we’ll update this space with that information when it’s available. Once we’ve experienced the new powertrain, we’ll also get fuel economy data from 75-mph real-world route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. For more information about the Atlas’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Family-friendly interior space, a straightforward control layout, and an overabundance of cupholders make the Atlas a practical choice, even among other highly practical rivals. Plus, a third row of seats that can comfortably accommodate full-size adults is a definite win. The interior design of the Atlas is uncomplicated and utilitarian—perfect for families but less so for style mavens—though there is a definite improvement the cabin materials for 2024.
The Atlas should accommodate just about anything a suburban family can throw at it, and there are plenty of thoughtfully placed storage nooks to stash small items. In our luggage testing, the Atlas impressed us by fitting four carry-on suitcases behind the third row and 38 behind the first, same as the enormous Honda Pilot.
Infotainment and Connectivity
No matter which trim you choose, the Atlas comes well-connected and ready to entertain. A 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, a six-speaker sound system, a wireless phone charging, and six USB-C ports with 45 watts of charging power. Unfortunately it lacks the volume and tuning knobs that make operating the radio system easier.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Atlas comes with a bevy of standard and optional driver-assistance technology. For more information about the Atlas’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Volkswagen provides an above-average limited warranty, but its powertrain coverage falls short of most competitors’. VW does sweeten the deal with complimentary scheduled maintenance that is similar to what Toyota offers.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for two years or 20,000 miles