Introduction
The 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport is almost a 30 MPG SUV in eco mode. So where’s the hybrid or plug-in hybrid is what I questioned from day one. Yet, it arrives with heightened luxury and a refreshed design. It’s showcasing distinctive features like a new light bar. Let’s also not forget beauty in their adaptive LED headlights. In addition, a 21-inch wheels for the R-line trim. This third generation of Volkswagen’s SUV pushes into the premium territory. Thereby challenging rivals with a more opulent interior and advanced technology.
Embarking upon a review of the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, this article will traverse its design enhancements. Also let’s not forget performance metrics. Finally and the infusion of new tech and safety features. With the automotive market more competitive than ever, it’s imperative to discern how the VW Atlas stacks up against its contemporaries in the 2024 lineup. Also, I ask in general: where’s the hybrid or plugin hybrid or even electric?!
Design and Aesthetic Updates to 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport
The 2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport showcases a striking new exterior. It’s starting with a bold light bar that graces the front end, seamlessly integrating with the illuminated Volkswagen badges. The adaptive LED headlights add a touch of sophistication. All the while with new wheel designs. I mean especially the 21-inch options available for the R-line trim. For it underscores its robust stance. Inside, the Atlas doesn’t shy away from luxury, flaunting Volkswagen’s latest infotainment system enveloped by an array of soft-touch materials that elevate the cabin’s feel and appearance.
Exterior Enhancements
Notable exterior enhancements include a redesigned grille and fascia, modernized LED headlights, and eye-catching illuminated logos at both the front and rear. The interior follows suit with a restyled center console, quilted leather seats that beckon with comfort, and a larger rear spoiler that adds a dynamic flourish to the vehicle’s silhouette. The 2024 Atlas’s interior design emphasizes luxury, featuring upscale materials throughout the cabin, such as leather-wrapped door trims, armrests, and a redesigned center console adorned with faux wood trim and soft-touch plastic.
The technological upgrades are equally impressive, with a 12-inch infotainment display and a 10.35-inch digital driver display that illuminate the dashboard. The ambient lighting, offering 30 color options, sets the mood, while the addition of a dashcam USB port is a thoughtful touch for the modern driver. The new panoramic sunroof bathes the interior in natural light, enhancing the sense of spaciousness, while the electronic shifter and capacitive climate controls integrated into the infotainment system speak to the Atlas’s commitment to a seamless user experience.
Interior
For those who prioritize space, the 2024 VW Atlas delivers generously. The vehicle boasts 20 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row, expanding to 55 cubic feet behind the second row, and reaching a maximum of 96 cubic feet. Passengers will appreciate the improved legroom and headroom in the second and third rows, along with convenient center climate controls, heated rear seats, and dual USB-C ports in the second row, ensuring comfort and connectivity throughout the cabin.
In summary, the 2024 VW Atlas is dressed to impress with its fresh design and refined interior, ready to rival luxury competitors. With a focus on comfort, space, and cutting-edge technology, the Atlas is poised to be a strong contender in its class.
Performance and Handling
Under the hood of the 2024 VW Atlas is a newly minted turbocharged four-cylinder engine that brings more zest to the drive, with an output of 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine is not only more powerful than its predecessor by a notable 28%, but it also maintains the Atlas’s capability to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Let’s delve into the specifics:
1. Engine and Power:
The 2024 Atlas is energized by a new turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which is a significant upgrade from the previous model. This powertrain is engineered to deliver 269 horsepower, providing ample power for both city driving and highway cruising.
2. Fuel Efficiency:
Despite the power increase, the Atlas manages to maintain respectable fuel efficiency. For the front-wheel-drive model, the EPA rates it at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. However, the Green Living Guy got an average MPG of 29.3 MPG regularly. So not sure what they are talking about.
3. Ride and Handling:
The Volkswagen Atlas offers a ride that is both comfortable and quiet, with light steering that makes it easy to handle. The all-wheel-drive capability adds to its road-holding prowess, ensuring that the vehicle remains composed in various driving conditions.
2024 VW Atlas Cross Sport Concerns
Despite these improvements, the Atlas does face some criticism for its lack of power when compared to some competitors and the controls, which can be distracting to use. Additionally, its fuel economy, while improved, still lags behind leaders in the class like the Toyota Highlander. However, for those prioritizing a smooth ride and ample towing capacity, the 2024 VW Atlas remains a compelling option in its segment.
Technology and Safety Features
The 2024 VW Atlas makes a significant leap forward in terms of technology and safety, ensuring that drivers and passengers alike can enjoy the latest advancements with peace of mind. Here are the key technology and safety features that stand out:
- Comfort and Convenience:
- Ventilated seats for enhanced comfort, especially in warmer climates.
- A user-friendly 12-inch touchscreen serves as the command center for the vehicle’s infotainment and connectivity features.
- Safety and Driver Assistance:
- IQ.Drive, Volkswagen’s comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, is now standard across all trim levels, providing features such as:
- Travel Assist
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Active Blind Spot Monitor
- Rear Traffic Alert
- Front Assist
- Emergency Assist
- Lane Assist
- The vehicle has achieved a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, affirming its high safety standards.
- IQ.Drive, Volkswagen’s comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, is now standard across all trim levels, providing features such as:
- Awards and Accolades:
- Recognition from the IIHS with the Top Safety Pick+ award, indicating superior safety performance in critical crash tests.
- Improved headlight performance, now rated as “Good” by the IIHS, enhancing visibility and safety during night driving.
- Advanced forward collision prevention technology, which is highly effective in protecting pedestrians, earning an “Advanced” rating from the IIHS for day and nighttime response.
While the VW Atlas impresses with these features, it’s worth noting that some users have found the climate and volume controls on the infotainment system to be less intuitive. However, this slight learning curve is a small trade-off for the overall technological and safety advancements that the 2024 VW Atlas offers.
Conclusion
Throughout our exploration of the 2024 VW Atlas, we’ve witnessed its evolution into a vehicle that marries style with function, exuding luxury and embracing innovation. The Atlas’s refreshed exterior, enhanced performance capabilities, and technological prowess position it as a frontrunner in the competitive SUV market. It’s clear that this third-generation model aims to deliver an experience tailored to drivers desiring spaciousness, comfort, and the latest advances in automotive technology.
The collective enhancements of the VW Atlas paint a picture of an SUV that’s not only ready for the present but anticipates the future of driving. Reflecting on its journey from concept to reality, the 2024 Atlas sets a new benchmark for what we can expect from the Volkswagen line. For those enticed by the Atlas’s allure, we invite you to continue this conversation and discover your own 2024 VW Atlas.
FAQs
What type of fuel should be used in the 2024 VW Atlas? The 2024 VW Atlas is designed to run on regular, unleaded gasoline. There is no need for premium gas, which makes refueling both convenient and cost-effective.
How reliable is the Volkswagen Atlas expected to be? The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is anticipated to be less reliable than the average new car. This expectation is based on the reliability data from the 2021 and 2022 Atlas models, as well as the overall scores for the Volkswagen brand.
Which model of the VW Atlas is considered the best? For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury and technology in the Atlas lineup, the Atlas SEL Premium model stands out. It offers the highest level of luxury and cutting-edge technology features, ensuring a driving experience filled with top-tier comforts and advanced driver-assist systems.
Does the Volkswagen Atlas retain its value over time? Like most vehicles, the Volkswagen Atlas will experience depreciation, with an estimated value decrease of $12,698 after five years. While depreciation is generally unavoidable, it can be mitigated with proper care and maintenance.
