Looking for a spacious and feature-packed SUV? The Atlas, Volkswagen's largest SUV, might just be the perfect fit for you.
9 minutes
12.21.2023
There’s no need to pack light – the Atlas is Volkswagen's largest SUV, offering you ample space, a modern design, and a host of up-to-date technology. Explore its size and dimensions compared to other Volkswagen models, review some of its key features and specs, and discover why it stands out as the largest Volkswagen vehicle to this date.
If you want to drive the VW Atlas but don’t have the budget right now to buy one, then consider a FINN car subscription. One monthly payment includes roadside assistance, insurance, and maintenance, so you can drive this Volkswagen flagship without having to worry about owning a car.
The Volkswagen SUV lineup offers a versatile range of models to suit everyone's preferences and needs. Take a closer look at the overview of each model below (listed from the smallest SUV to the largest) and read about their unique characteristics.
As Volkswagen’s newest (introduced in 2022) and most affordable SUV, the subcompact Taos playfully pairs eye-catching design cues with excellent fuel efficiency (28 mpg city/ 36 mpg highway). Attractive tech features round out an ideal crossover for city driving. Additionally, the Taos comes with 4MOTION® all-wheel drive, enhancing its capability and traction in various road conditions, making it a versatile option for both urban and off-road adventures.
Volkswagen's first dedicated electric SUV features lively performance from its rear-mounted electric motor, crisp handling from the low center of gravity battery pack, and a sleekly styled crossover body with a technology focused interior. With ranges up to 260 miles, it leads VW’s EV path.
The bestselling Volkswagen SUV offers flexibility for urban families with seven-passenger seating and balanced everyday driving dynamics. Its smartly designed interior focuses on connectivity and usability.
The five-seat Atlas Cross Sport fuses coupe-like style with three rows of seating by lowering the rear roofline while retaining the Atlas’ generous cargo room and powerful V6 engine option.
Volkswagen’s flagship family hauler places lavish attention on passenger space and comfort, with expansive stretch-out room across three rows. Yet, it balances family-friendly ergonomics with enthusiastic acceleration when needed.
The following table will give you a better understanding of the dimensions for each Volkswagen SUV, from the smallest (Taos) to the largest model (Atlas).
Model | Length | Width* | Height |
Taos | 175.8 in | 72.5 | 64.4 in |
ID.4 | 180.5 in | 72.9 in | 64.5 in |
Tiguan | 186.1 in | 72.4 in | 66.4 in |
Atlas Cross Sport | 195.6 in | 78.3 in | 68.1 in |
Atlas | 200.7 in | 78.3 in | 70.4 in |
*Width excluding mirrors.
The biggest SUV in Volkswagen's lineup is the Atlas. The Volkswagen Atlas is a stylish and spacious midsize SUV designed for great destinations. It has a starting MSRP of $37,725 and offers a cargo capacity of 96.8 cu.-ft. with the rear seats folded down. The Atlas comes with standard IQ.DRIVE® and VW Digital Cockpit Pro. It is 200.7 in long, 78.3 in wide, and 70.4 in tall. The Atlas is equipped with a 4MOTION® 2.0L Turbo 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic engine that delivers 269 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque.
The interior of the Atlas balances sleek touches with ambient lighting and 30-color customizable gauges. Tri-zone automatic climate controls, power-folding third row seats (seating up to seven people), and an expansive cargo room give the Atlas incredible day-to-day flexibility. Notably, Volkswagen made active safety features like automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control standard across the lineup. Trim options include the Atlas SE, SE with Technology, Peak Edition SE with Technology, SEL, Peak Edition SEL, and the SEL Premium R-Line.
With the Atlas, you no longer need to worry about what will fit; instead, you can start considering what else will fit. Below you will find a table that highlights the spaciousness and large dimensions of the Volkswagen Atlas, making it a suitable choice for those in need of a roomy and versatile SUV.
Spec | VW Atlas |
Length | 200.7 in |
Width (excluding mirrors) | 78.3 in |
Width (with mirrors fully extended) | 88.5 in |
Height | 70.4 in |
Wheelbase* | 117.3 in |
Ground clearance | 6.3 in |
Passenger volume | 154 cu.-ft. |
Cargo volume (folded seats) | 96.8 cu.-ft. |
Legroom (1st / 2nd / 3rd row) | 41.7 in / 37.6 in / 33.7 in |
Headroom w/o panoramic sunroof (1st / 2nd / 3rd row) | 41.3 in / 40.4 in / 38.3 in |
Headroom w/ panoramic sunroof (1st / 2nd / 33rd) | 40.1 in / 39.5 in / 38.3 in |
*Wheelbase refers to the distance between the center of the front wheels to the center of the rear wheels.
The Volkswagen Atlas flexes its muscles with a robust 5,000-pound towing capacity comparable to the Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Explorer. Hitched up properly, the Atlas can tug enough for serious trailers or even a decent-sized boat. Yet it smartly balances brawn with lots of room for your stuff. Fold down both rear rows, and a vast, nearly 97 cu.-ft. awaits. Even with its spacious third row upright, over 55 cu.-ft. of cargo capacity remains behind the second row of seats. So adventure-ready families will appreciate how the Atlas combines heavyweight hauling duties with interior space for passengers and gear to make every getaway easier
Priced at $37,725 to start, this Atlas easily fits both people and gear for life's next adventures. Inside its sleek silhouette, a flexible interior with available bench seating can seat up to seven people. Tech-focused touches add everyday convenience, letting you remote start the Atlas or check fuel levels from afar through IQ.DRIVE® connected services. VW's Digital Cockpit Pro display keeps navigation, media, and more at your fingertips. Comfort-tuned independent suspension smooths out the miles, helping keep even full passenger loads relaxed. With room for friends, capacity to haul, and smarts to simplify, the versatile Atlas brings accessible luxury to every getaway.
Equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, the VW Atlas gets you 269 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine offers good off-the-line acceleration, ample power for daily driving, and sufficient performance for highway passing and merging. The SUV's ride-and-handling characteristics are well-balanced, providing a comfortable and nimble driving experience, making it suitable for both city and highway driving. The Atlas is available with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option, and it offers a reasonably peppy engine with a smooth-shifting transmission, although it is not particularly quick or agile. The Volkswagen Atlas comes with the same engine across all trim levels, as the previously available V6 engine has been replaced with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine.
Shoppers eyeing a VW Atlas will find this spacious family SUV stacks up nicely versus the competition especially when you consider the price. Rivals like the sculpted Audi Q7 capture lots of looks with a posh cabin to match. Yet the Atlas' roomy interior, varied powertrain options, and accessible MSRP give it an edge for bargain seekers.
When considering alternatives to the Volkswagen Atlas, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is highlighted for its ruggedness and outdoor capabilities, while the Ford Explorer is also mentioned as a compelling option. The Volkswagen Atlas is available with a choice of a turbo four-cylinder engine, providing a good balance of power and performance.
Of course, practical considerations like seating flexibility and cargo room matter most for growing households. Here, the Atlas shines by squeezing three rows of seats without cramming passengers. Let rivals like the Audi Q7 dazzle with luxury—the Atlas gets the job done of comfortably transporting your whole crew.
Spec | Atlas | Jeep Grand Cherokee | Audi Q7 |
Max. cargo capacity | 96.8 cu.-ft. | 68.3 cu.-ft. | 69.6 cu.-ft. |
Towing (with trailer package) | 5,000 lbs | 6,200 lbs | 7,700 lbs |
MSRP starting at | $37,725 | $39,535 | $59,500 |
As Volkswagen's largest SUV offering, the midsize Atlas clearly exceeds the compact Tiguan, as shown in the following table. The Volkswagen Atlas provides more interior room for passengers and cargo.
Meanwhile, the Tiguan offers ample capacity for a compact SUV, but there is no question that the Atlas dwarfs it by providing maxed-out dimensions to match its role as Volkswagen's flagship family hauler. So if you're planning to frequently use a third row of seats or maximize cargo abilities, the Atlas clearly outpaces the Tiguan to meet those needs.
Spec | Atlas | Tiguan |
Length | 200.7 in | 186.1 in |
Width (excluding mirrors) | 78.3 in | 72.4 in |
Height | 70.4 in | 66.4 in |
Wheelbase | 117.3 in | 109.9 in |
Passenger volume | 154 cu.-ft. | 124 cu.-ft. |
Cargo capacity | 96.8 cu.-ft. | 73.4 cu.-ft. |
Below you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about VW’s SUV offerings.
As Volkswagen's largest SUV, the Atlas and its Cross Sport model (with upgraded seating options) can seat up to 7-passenger. Fun fact: the Atlas is the largest Volkswagen vehicle ever built in the United States. It offers up to 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space, ranking among the most spacious models in its class.
The starting price for the Atlas ranges from $37,725 to $52,455, depending on the trim and features. The entry-level Atlas SE starts at $37,725, and the SE with Technology model is priced at $41,655. The top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line starts at $52,445 for the three-row Atlas.
VW Atlas | SE | SE with Technology | Peak Edition with Technology | SEL | Peak Edition SEL | SEL Premium R/Line |
Price | $37,725 | $41,665 | $46,555 | $48,445 | $50,435 | $52,455 |
As Volkswagen’s newest (introduced in 2022) and most affordable SUV, the subcompact Taos is also the smallest Volkswagen SUV. The Taos playfully pairs eye-catching design cues with excellent fuel efficiency (28 mpg city/ 36 mpg highway). Attractive tech features round out an ideal crossover for city driving. Additionally, the small SUV comes with 4MOTION all-wheel drive, enhancing its capability and traction in various road conditions, making it a versatile option for both urban and off-road adventures.
The Atlas is equipped with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which generates 269 hp and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. The SUV can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 7.3 seconds and has an estimated top speed of around 117 mph.
The Volkswagen Atlas is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a versatile and family-friendly SUV with three-row seating, ample cargo space, and a wide range of standard features, all at an affordable price. If you're considering other alternatives, the Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson, or the Cadillac XT5 are also worth looking into, each offering their own unique blend of features and capabilities.
With a starting price of $37,725 and 96.8 cu.-ft. of cargo space, the Atlas is the largest VW SUV. Packed with features like IQ.DRIVE® and a turbocharged engine, it's a smooth ride for city or highway trips.
Before buying the SUV, you should test drive the Atlas with a FINN car subscription. One monthly payment gets you insurance, registration, routine service, and wear-and-tear coverage on your Volkswagen for terms of six or 12 months. FINN simplifies sampling an SUV, so choosing becomes easier when you're ready to commit long-term or subscribe again.