The 2024 Atlas from Volkswagen, assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers a major refresh with a focus on interior luxury, enhanced technology, and a new powertrain. This seven-passenger SUV, part of the crowded family segment, now includes premium materials and a stylish design.
Key Updates
Interior: Standard high-end features like automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, and the IQ.DRIVE suite of driver assistance features.
Powertrain: A new 2.0-liter turbo engine replacing the previous options, offering better torque, acceleration, and improved fuel economy.
Atlas Peak Edition: A new trim with unique interior and exterior elements, starting at an MSRP of $37,995.
Exterior Enhancements
Front Design: New front end with LED headlights and Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS); distinctive grille designs, including a gloss-black option for SEL Premium R-Line models.
Atlas Peak Edition: Rugged front fascia, silver underbody cladding, and unique black and chrome elements.
Lighting: Standard full-LED lighting, including Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) and LED taillights.
Wheels: New designs across all trims, ranging from 18-inch to 21-inch alloys.
The 2024 Atlas is built on Volkswagen’s Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) architecture, measuring 200.7 inches in length, 78.3 inches in width, and 70.4 inches in height. It offers 6.3 inches of ground clearance and efficient aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.33. The vehicle is available in various colors, including exclusive options for the Peak Edition models.
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas interior combines classic Volkswagen design with premium features and functionality. It prioritizes driver comfort and ergonomics, offering an inviting and upscale cockpit.
Interior Highlights
The interior includes leatherette-trimmed dash and center console, seamless front-row door trim, and ambient lighting with 30 color choices. The dash displays the model name, contributing to the vehicle’s upscale ambiance.
The Atlas accommodates up to seven adults with generous headroom and legroom across all three rows. Seats are made from premium materials, with features like heated and ventilated front seats, adjustable driver and passenger seats, and optional captain’s chairs for the second row.
This model features Titan Black leatherette with light grey accents, orange stitching, stainless steel pedal caps, and special backlit dash décor.
This vehicle offers up to 96.6 cubic feet of cargo space with fold-flat functionality for the second and third rows. The center console is redesigned for added storage, and there are multiple USB ports and cup holders for passenger convenience.
Standard three-zone Climatronic automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel with shift paddles, and voice control enhance comfort. Technology features include wireless charging, a 12-inch infotainment display, and wireless App-Connect.
The Atlas features a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro and offers two speaker configurations, including a premium Harmon-Kardon system in SEL Premium R-Line trims.
Satellite Radio, Car-Net, and a Turbo Engine
SiriusXM with 360L and Volkswagen Car-Net provide enhanced entertainment and connectivity options, featuring personalized listening experiences and the ability to interact remotely with the vehicle through the myVW mobile app.
The Atlas also includes Volkswagen Car-Net services, such as remote access, vehicle health reports, family guardian services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot with various subscription plans. This ensures a connected and convenient driving experience.
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas features the advanced “Evo4” 2.0-liter four-cylinder TSI® EA888 engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the previous generation. This engine combines direct fuel injection and turbocharging for efficiency and power, featuring new fuel injectors and increased injection pressure.
Enhancements to the Evo4 engine include reduced internal friction, noise-reducing modifications, improved emissions control, and advanced variable cam phasing and valve lift systems. The lightweight engine design incorporates an integrated exhaust header into the cylinder head for better turbocharger efficiency and thermal management.
All Atlas models are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The available 4Motion with Active Control all-wheel drive system enhances traction, and start/stop technology improves urban efficiency. The towing capacity is up to 5,000 pounds for certain models, with standard or aftermarket hitch options depending on the trim.
Fuel economy for the 2024 Atlas varies by model and drive type, with EPA estimates ranging from 18-20 mpg in the city and 24-27 mpg on the highway.
All-Wheel-Drive System
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is equipped with the advanced 4Motion all-wheel-drive system, featuring Active Control for improved traction. This system activates before wheelspin occurs, using a control function that adapts to driving conditions. Normally, the Atlas drives its front wheels, disengaging the rear wheels to save fuel. However, the rear wheels can be engaged rapidly when needed through an electro-hydraulic oil pump in the center differential.
The system adjusts the torque sent to the rear wheels through a multi-plate clutch, which is regulated by the oil pump’s pressure. This design allows for a continuous variation of torque distribution, with up to 50 percent of the torque reaching the rear axle.
Electronic differential locks, integrated into the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), provide lateral assistance. These locks can brake a slipping wheel, ensuring stable power transfer to the opposite wheel.
Driving Modes
Drive Mode Select, available in all Atlas models, lets the driver choose from various vehicle profiles like Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow (plus Offroad mode for all-wheel-drive models). These modes alter the vehicle’s operational parameters including engine, transmission, steering, and traction systems.
In Snow mode, the system adjusts to minimize wheelspin, and in Offroad mode, it offers manual transmission control, disables the Start/Stop system, relaxes the ESC, and activates Hill Descent Control for steep gradients.
The Atlas’s chassis is based on Volkswagen’s MQB architecture, featuring high-strength steels for a lightweight yet strong structure. It employs a combination of advanced construction techniques, including the use of ultra-high-strength steels.
The Atlas features an independent suspension system with a strut layout at the front and a multilink arrangement at the back. Its braking system includes vented front and rear discs, complemented by ABS and electronic brake pressure distribution. The steering system is rack-and-pinion with electric power assist, offering a responsive and efficient handling experience.
Safety and Convenience
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas prioritizes safety and convenience, integrating a wide range of driver-assist technologies. It is equipped with essential safety features including six standard airbags, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). For enhanced visibility, each model comes with a rearview camera. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is also included to mitigate the impact of secondary collisions. Additionally, the Intelligent Crash Response System activates in specific collision scenarios to ensure the safety of the vehicle’s occupants.
Further enhancing the driving experience, the Atlas comes standard with the advanced IQ.DRIVE package across all trims. This comprehensive suite includes Travel Assist, Front Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring, and Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor). Also, Rear Traffic Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control. These features work in tandem to provide a safer, more responsive, and more intuitive driving experience, offering peace of mind to both the driver and passengers.
Warranty Details
The 2024 Atlas includes a New Vehicle Limited Warranty and Carefree Maintenance Program. The warranty covers the vehicle for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, and is transferable to future owners for the remaining term. The Carefree Maintenance Program offers scheduled maintenance for two years or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first, at no extra cost, and is also transferable to subsequent owners for its remaining duration.
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Summation
The Atlas, updated with new features, continues to be a strong contender in the competitive three-row midsize CUV market. This segment, bustling with popular options like the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder, Buick Enclave, and Mazda CX-90, remains highly sought after. For those interested in a two-row version, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport presents a compelling option.
See Also — Volkswagen Adds ChatGPT to In-Car Tech
Images courtesy of Volkswagen of America, Inc.
