2021 VW ATLAS SE

                                                                                                                            2021 VW ATLAS

Model Tested: VW Atlas SE

Color: Pure White

Base Price: $35,145

Price As Tested: $41,824

Atlas: Carries The World Everyone loves rooting for the underdog. Think of the 2004 Boston Red Sox or the 1969 New York Mets. Not a hope in the world, and yet they prevailed. Books and movies are made from such stories as these. Volkswagen is no stranger to being the underdog. In 2002, they waded into the placid waters of the SUV market with the Touareg, sending tidal waves through the industry. Now they’re back at it with the 2021 Atlas. So grab your popcorn and settle in, this is one underdog you won’t want to miss.

At first glance, one might take its undeniably rugged and handsome looks for a mere Mall Crawler or even a simple Street Princess. Nothing wrong with either genre, but you’d be inexcusably wrong. The Atlas punches above its class with beautiful, simplistic styling and sensible practicality. We only had a few hours to take in all the Atlas had to offer, but in that period of time, we were convinced this full-size SUV isn’t just a pretty face.

The Pure White Atlas we drove off the lot straight into traffic immediately commanded the road. The 276hp 3.2L V6 engine is a little restrained off the line, but gets up and going with enough punch to move the 5,754lb vessel into the passing lane with ease. The seats are comfortable and the cabin is insulated enough to keep the undesired and unwelcomed outside noises from infiltrating this comfortable and airy lounge. Only the most cavernous potholes and exposed railroad upset an otherwise serene drive.

“With the third row folded, there is more than enough space for all your camping gear. Fold the second row, you might just have opened up another parking spot for a Golf GTI.”

Speaking of cavernous: the cabin is simply gargantuan. No lack of head, shoulder, kids, dogs, or luggage room here to gripe about at all. Third row occupants are better off here than in most competitors as the space was decently adequate. With the third row folded, there is more than enough space for all your camping gear. Fold the second row, you might just have opened up another parking spot for a Golf GTI. The panoramic roof just adds a touch of sophistication and openness to the uncluttered and straightforward cabin. There is also plenty of storage space. All the cupholders you could need and the door bins are big enough for your carry-on. Well not really, but you get the idea. Space aplenty. Zero complaints there.

One thing that surprised us was the multiple nods of approval we got from other drivers in our short time with the Atlas. At one point while trying to strike a pose against the scenic backdrop of the Austin Hills, we were asked what it was like to drive. We showered it with praise and they drove off with lingering stares of approval.

They didn’t know it wasn’t ours and we didn’t tell them. Cheeky? Maybe. A small taste of would-be owners’ satisfaction. We were grinning. We still are.

“…thoughtfully-executed engineering, like seating the engine low in the engine-bay to optimize for a low center of gravity.”

The drive through the winding hills was smooth and relaxing. The muted engine note was pleasant and did not at all sound cheap or tinny. Though the heft of the family-hauler could not be concealed - physics is real after all - a spirited session uphill through the many twists and hairpins of 2222 did not at all upset the Atlas. Testament to a well-sorted chassis, well-tuned steering, and thoughtfully-executed engineering, like seating the engine low in the engine-bay to optimize for a low center of gravity. Smart. We’d love to take the Atlas camping and try out those off-road chops. Maybe next time. Hints.

Switching through the various driver aids and cabin comfort settings was a breeze. Mostly intuitive and easy, even while driving. Even connecting Android Auto at the outset of the drive was ridiculously foolproof. The same was true for Apple CarPlay when we switched drivers. We had one small nit-pick about the driver information alert systems. Without a heads-up display, we thought some of the indicators, for example the radar-assisted drive Adaptive Cruise Control ‘active’ indicator, could be more prominent. There were a few double-take moments to confirm whether it was on or not or that it ‘saw’ the car in front of us.

All said, the 2021 VW Atlas is a knock-out from Volkswagen. Price-point and available options mean that a model can be specced to perfection. Even random strangers will agree. And if you need even more style, there is the 2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport - the prettier sibling. We haven’t yet had the pleasure of this sibling’s company, but for sure the good looks do run in the family.

Team ModernChassis

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For more information about the 2021 VW Atlas drop us a line at ModernChassis!