#2021 atlas recall professional#

#2021 atlas recall professional#

They offered their professional opinion that the VW Atlas is “a great compromise between precise handling and everyday comfort.” Even Edmunds had something nice to say about its first impression of Volkswagen’s new midsize SUV. People liked the Atlas from its first introduction. (There’s the Volkswagen Tarek, the VW Tiguan, VW Touran, the Volkswagen Touareg, VW Tharu, and Volkswagen Tayron.) Since American dealers who first saw the vehicle disliked the Teramont name – and Volkswagen does allow for regionally-based marketing decisions – the Teramont moniker ended up being only marketed outside North America, and the Atlas name was adopted for use in the United States and Canada. Originally the VW Atlas was supposed to be called the Teramont, to follow the apparent “ T-trend” in naming Volkswagen SUV models. So it may be no wonder – and a good marketing ploy -– why Volkswagen choose the name for its first venture into the three row, midsize crossover SUV market. The name Atlas is known by most as a mythological god who carried the heavens on his shoulders and personified the very meaning of strength and endurance. Reliable…and the namesake of Volkswagen’s 3-row SUV Follow him on Twitter Volkswagen Atlas 2.Atlas Big. Jimmy Dinsmore is a freelance automotive journalist. Maybe not as much as the weight of the world, but still with all that’s expected from this SUV, it’s appropriately named. Volkswagen’s seven-passenger entry the Atlas has a lot of pressure on it to succeed. In a week’s worth of mixed driving I averaged nearly 25 mpg. The smaller engine with all-wheel drive has an EPA rating of 20 mpg/city and 24 mpg/highway. With a few options, the final MSRP of my tester was $37,815. My tester was the 2.0T SE trim with a starting price of $36,795. However, unlike some of the competition it’s not overwhelming with the center stack looking clean and organized. The 8-inch touchscreen looks attractive but feels smaller than other vehicles in this segment. It has everything you can ask for and the system is intuitive. It’s really in the presentation more than the actual features. It feels fresher and newer than other infotainment systems. The virtual cockpit as Volkswagen calls their infotainment system information integration, is cool and cutting edge. There is 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row but that overall cargo area expands to 55.5 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded down and 96.8 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The third would be best suited for children, but adults could also fit comfortably in the third row. Small touches like this help add to the overall value of the Atlas which has comfort for all passengers. Inside, there are some new highlights for the Atlas that include some creature comforts like heated rear seats, adjustable vents for even the third row and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The all-wheel drive is confident and the steering is firm and competent. While this engine may not invoke much enthusiasm it is smooth, refined and mature. For more enthusiasm (but less fuel economy) consider the 3.6-liter V6 engine which has 276 horsepower.Īs such, my tester felt a little sluggish off the line, although eight-speed automatic transmission did a good job of helping this engine and presented very little turbo lag. It’s adequate with 235 horsepower, but yet that still feels underpowered for a vehicle that weighs more than 4,200 pounds. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine lacks much personality. However, the Atlas, even with a turbocharged engine falls short of the enthusiasm.

Generalizing, many German vehicles have big driving personalities. The exhaust pipes have USB-outlet shape and are a saving grace for the back of the Atlas that adds some distinction. The back end loses a bit of the styling with taillights that are dull and lack distinction. Likewise those sculpted lines run the side panels, helping to give the Atlas a long but consistent look.

Three horizontal lines span the grille with further styling indentations on the hood. The looks remain thoroughly modern with a refreshed grille.