2025 Volkswagen Atlas Review

2025 Volkswagen Atlas – Overview

Think of the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas as a modern take on the classic station wagon—designed to be a practical, family-friendly SUV with three rows of seating for up to seven passengers. It boasts an impressive 5,000-pound towing capacity and ample cargo space, especially when the second and third rows are folded flat. The second-row legroom is notably generous, making long journeys comfortable for passengers.

While the interior is spacious and highly functional, it leans more toward utility than flair, lacking standout style or luxurious touches. Under the hood, the Atlas relies on a 269-horsepower turbocharged inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering adequate acceleration without being particularly sporty.

Front-wheel drive comes standard on the SE and SE with Technology trims, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Higher trims like the Peak Edition SE and above come equipped with all-wheel drive as standard.

Though the Atlas remains a capable and comfortable family hauler, its rivals—such as the Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and Mazda CX-90—continue to raise the bar for styling and interior appointments. If you’re drawn to the Atlas’s practicality but want a more dynamic design, the Atlas Cross Sport offers a sportier two-row alternative with a sleeker profile.

When Is The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Coming Out?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is expected to arrive at dealerships in late summer 2024, continuing its steady presence in the SUV market. Early availability may vary by region, with Volkswagen dealers accepting orders and reservations throughout the spring and early summer.

What’s New for 2025 Volkswagen Atlas?

Following a major refresh in 2024, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas carries over mostly unchanged, with a few subtle upgrades to enhance comfort and technology.

• Upgraded wireless device charging is now standard across the lineup, making it easier to keep your devices powered on the go.

• The SEL Premium R-Line trim gains additional luxury features, including perforated headrest upholstery, four-way adjustable lumbar support, and a front-seat massaging function for enhanced comfort on longer drives.

• Volkswagen introduces three new exterior colors: Mountain Lake Blue, Avocado Green, and Pure Grey — the latter two previously exclusive to the Atlas Peak Edition trim.

• Most 2025 models with an active subscription to Volkswagen’s Car-Net connected vehicle software now offer access to a new voice assistant powered by ChatGPT, providing more natural and intuitive in-car interactions.

These updates help keep the Atlas fresh and comfortable without altering the fundamental formula that appeals to practical SUV buyers.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas starts at $39,625 and can climb up to $54,630 depending on the trim level and optional features.

Our top recommendation is the SE with Technology trim paired with the 4Motion all-wheel drive system. This setup strikes a great balance of features, value, and capability.

Key highlights of this trim include:

• 20-inch wheels (compared to 18-inch wheels on the standard SE)

• A trailer hitch package for towing versatility

• Remote start for convenience

• USB charging ports accessible in the third row, perfect for passengers on long trips

• Optional second-row captain’s chairs, which add maximum comfort and easier access to the third row

This combination offers enhanced style, comfort, and practicality, making it an excellent choice for most buyers.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is powered exclusively by a 269-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and is available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Compared to the previous 276-hp V6 found in earlier models, the turbocharged four-cylinder offers improved throttle response and, thanks to a retuned transmission, feels livelier and more eager off the line.

On the road, the Atlas handles steering inputs predictably but can feel a bit bulky and less composed when pushed aggressively through corners. It remains composed and comfortable on the highway and offers reasonable agility in city driving. The ride quality is generally smooth, absorbing most road imperfections well—though rough potholes can still be felt.

While these refinements enhance the driving experience, the Atlas’s chassis still doesn’t match the sporty handling or driving enjoyment found in rivals like the Mazda CX-90.

0–60-MPH Times

At our test track, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas — which shares its powertrain with the 2025 model — accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, outperforming the older V6-powered Atlas we tested back in 2018.

It completed the quarter-mile run in 15.6 seconds at a speed of 92 mph. The top speed is electronically limited to 117 mph.

These numbers reflect solid, if not thrilling, performance suitable for daily driving and highway merging.

Towing and Payload Capacity

Most versions of the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas can tow up to 5,000 pounds when paired with a properly equipped trailer featuring brakes. This towing capability matches competitors like the Toyota 4Runner and Subaru Ascent, making the Atlas a strong choice for hauling boats, campers, or trailers.

The SE with Technology trim and above come equipped with a standard trailer hitch, ready for towing right from the factory. The base SE trim requires an aftermarket hitch and is rated for a lower maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates that front-wheel-drive 2025 Volkswagen Atlas achieve around 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Choosing all-wheel drive typically lowers these ratings slightly to about 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for most trims. The Peak Edition models have a bit lower efficiency, rated at 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

In real-world testing on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, our all-wheel-drive 2024 Atlas test vehicle delivered an impressive 25 mpg, outperforming the EPA highway estimate by one mile per gallon.

For the most up-to-date and detailed fuel economy information, you can visit the EPA’s official website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excels in providing family-friendly interior space, making it one of the most practical options in its segment. Its straightforward control layout and abundance of cupholders add to the convenience, catering well to the needs of busy families.

A standout feature is the third row, which comfortably fits full-size adults—a significant advantage over many rivals. The interior design favors utility and simplicity over flashy style, appealing to those who prioritize function. The 2024 update brought noticeable improvements to cabin materials, enhancing the overall feel.

The Atlas is well-equipped to handle everything a suburban family might need to haul, with plenty of thoughtfully placed storage compartments for small items. In our luggage test, it impressed by fitting four carry-on suitcases behind the third row and a total of 38 carry-ons with the first row folded down, matching the capacity of larger SUVs like the Honda Pilot.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Every 2025 Volkswagen Atlas comes equipped with a generous 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, providing a sharp and responsive interface. This system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making smartphone integration seamless and convenient.

The standard audio setup includes a six-speaker sound system, while wireless phone charging and six USB-C ports delivering 45 watts of charging power keep all devices powered up and connected throughout the cabin.

One notable drawback is the lack of physical volume and tuning knobs, which some drivers prefer for ease of use while driving.

Additionally, most 2025 Atlas models with an active subscription to Volkswagen’s Car-Net connected vehicle software offer an optional voice assistant powered by ChatGPT, allowing for smarter, more intuitive voice commands and interactions inside the vehicle.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas offers a robust suite of standard and available driver-assistance technologies designed to keep occupants safe and confident on the road.

Key standard safety features include:

• Forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking

• Blind-spot monitoring paired with rear cross-traffic alert

Available on higher trims is adaptive cruise control equipped with a lane-centering function, which helps maintain a safe following distance while keeping the vehicle centered within its lane on the highway.

For detailed crash-test results and safety ratings, visit the official websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Volkswagen offers an above-average limited warranty for the 2025 Atlas, though its powertrain coverage is somewhat shorter than many competitors.

• Limited Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

• Powertrain Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

• Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance: Included for 2 years or 20,000 miles

This complimentary maintenance program is a valuable benefit that aligns closely with offerings from brands like Toyota, helping reduce ownership costs in the early years.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Specifications

Final Verdict

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas remains a practical and spacious midsize SUV, ideal for families needing versatile seating and cargo space. Its strengths lie in comfort and user-friendly technology, though it lacks the bold styling or sportiness found in some rivals. The V6 engine provides solid performance, while the four-cylinder turbo is an efficient choice for daily driving. Overall, the Atlas offers reliable value for buyers seeking a straightforward, family-focused SUV.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Videos