Volkswagen Atlas. 1st generation, 2020 restyling
A couple of years after its release, the Atlas was restyled. The restyling itself was not very deep, but some improvements were very significant and brought the SUV to a new level. There are new advanced comfort and safety options. The vehicle remains a practical large family car for comfortable driving on good roads. Its restyled version has finally reached us so that we can find out everything about it and share all the information with you.
Exterior
The standard 2020/2021 Volkswagen Atlas was influenced by a more energetic two-row Atlas Cross Sport modification, slightly shorter, on the same wheelbase, but with a lower roof. The Atlas Cross Sport debuted in North America in early 2020.
The exterior of the restyled classic three-row Atlas has been largely copied from the Cross Sport, in particular, the front face. At the same time, the new Atlas is 6 cm longer than the previous one, however, the such an increase is due to the changed shape of the bumpers, so the internal volume remains the same. But whatever one may say, the new Volkswagen Atlas remains one of the largest SUVs in its segment. The curb weight of the maximum trim level reaches 2.1 tons. The front face of the vehicle is decorated with a modernized grille with a very interesting pattern and updated headlights with LED elements.
Engines and transmission
The restyled 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is equipped with one of two petrol engines: a 2-liter 4-cylinder unit with 235 hp or a 3.6-liter V6 unit with 276 hp. Unlike the 2018 Atlas, now not one, but both engines are paired with all-wheel drive and both are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
According to reviews, prior to restyling, the vehicle sometimes felt not powerful enough considering its brutal exterior and size. This drawback was eliminated by reconfiguring the chassis and improving control functions. However, the vehicle is still designed for smooth riding on flat roads. The new Atlas reaches 100 km/h in 7.1 - 7.8 seconds, depending on the trim level. The maximum speed is 185 km/h.
Interior
The 2021 Atlas features VW’s updated Car-Net app, which allows owners to lock and unlock doors, beep, view their vehicle’s location, and start it remotely via their smartphone. In 2021, the restyled Atlas acquired new electronic assistants: traffic jam assist and traffic sign recognition systems. The steering wheel was also modernized.
The interior is still large and ergonomic, comfortable for the whole family. The simple arrangement of controls and an abundance of cup holders make the new Volkswagen Atlas one of the leaders in terms of practicality. The interior provides room for everything that may come in handy for a family trip, there are many nooks and crannies for storing small items, a wireless charging stand under the center console.
According to the results of the ‘luggage test’ the Atlas is equal to the huge Honda Pilot, since 4 suitcases could fit into its trunk behind the third unfolded row, and with the second folded it was possible to cram in as many as 38 medium-sized suitcases. This is a dream for a business trip dad or a desperate shopping mom.
Safety
The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas is a full-fledged family car, as it received good reviews for its safety. The key security functions of the restyled Atlas additionally include:
- standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking;
- standard blind spot monitoring system and rear cross traffic alert;
- adaptive cruise control with Stop-and-Go technology.
The 2021 Atlas received the highest five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, the rating of the version prior to restyling was high, and the platform is the same VW MQB, and the vehicle did not undergo significant changes, so it is unlikely that anything will change much in terms of safety.
