Volkswagen recently introduced the sportier 5-passnger version of the Atlas, called the Atlas Cross Sport. Now the regular full-size 7-passenger model has also been released with a new look .
the refreshed seven-seat Atlas SUV offers a bolder design as well as interior upgrades, advanced connectivity, new available driver-assistance features, and broadened powertrain availability. Under the hood, VW has made the base 4-cylinder engine available on all trims and the 4Motion AWD system is available with the 335hp base turbo-4-cylinder, even on the base model, where FWD was the only option previously.
Some good news on the price. The starting MSRP for the refreshed Volkswagen Atlas 2.0-liter is unchanged from 2020 at $31,545 for the S model; 4Motion® models start at $33,445 with that same engine, loweringa the entry price of AWD by $1,300 compared to the 2020 Atlas which only offered AWD on V6 models . The VR6 engine is available on the Atlas SE w/ Technology package and above, starting at $38,295. These are prices for the US market, the Canadian prices will be released closer to delivery date, hopefully in the summer.
New styling adds more aggressively-styled front and rear bumpers. Mirroring the Atlas Cross Sport front fascia, a bold three-bar grille extends into the front light signature, while new headlight and taillight designs feature standard full-LED lighting, including low beams, high beams, turn signals, Daytime Running Lights , and taillights. Top trim models add standard 900-lumen LED headlights with Volkswagen’s Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS). Automatic headlamps and rain-sensing windshield wipers are standard across the lineup.
At the back, a chromed “Atlas” name strip sits above the newly sculpted rear bumper. The sportier R-Line® trims add R-Line badging; unique front and rear bumpers—also restyled for 2021—that incorporate stylish air intakes at the front and a diffusor in glossy black paint at the rear, as well as side skirts, Wheel sizes range from 18-21 inches.
Here are some points to note:
Standard features include: 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, full LED lighting, rain-sensing windshield wipers, Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Traffic Alert, and nextgeneration Car-Net® with WiFi capability
Available features include: Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, 20- and 21-inch wheels, heated rear seats, leather seating surfaces, Fender® Premium Audio System, ACC, Lane Assist, Park Assist, Traffic Jam Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Display, remote start, and Easy Open rear hatch
As mentioned the base engine is The 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit.
Output is rated at 235 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 rpm with premium fuel). Now the buyer can choose FWD or 4Motion AWD with this engine for the first time on all trims
The most popular engine is the 3.6-liter VR6 engine. This engine delivers 276 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,750 rpm. , power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to help maximize efficiency.
Atlas models equipped with the VR6 engine and a factory-installed trailer hitch offer a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs., while all other models require dealer- or port-installed trailer hitch, allowing for a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs.
Lets hope the Chattanooga Tennasee plant can get up and running to deliver not only this new Atlas but also the Atlas Cross Sport in time for the 2021 model year.
