You might do a double take this week.
This Volkswagen Atlas looks so much like the Toyota Grand Highlander we drove the week before, my family never even noticed that there was a different vehicle in the driveway.
That’s because these both follow a popular modern aesthetic: cement gray paint with black wheels. (The exact name of the color in VW-speak is Pure Gray.)
Also like the Grand Highlander — and this is important in a three-row SUV — the Atlas has some cargo space left even with the third row up.
The interior is interesting, featuring trim that looks like wood and brushed aluminum, along with piano black bits. Usually an automaker will pick one of those three, but VW went with the kitchen sink approach. Still, it provides some visual interest. This is all against the backdrop of welcoming beige leatherette seats.
That fancy interior was part of a 2024 refresh for the Atlas, along with the addition of a turbo four-cylinder engine that provides adequate power, making this SUV an extremely comfy companion on a trip to Richmond and back.
Interestingly, in this particular configuration, the Atlas is front-wheel drive! That helps keep the price down, but I ask you, what is the point of a big, front-wheel drive SUV? Why don’t you just bite the bullet and take your minivan at that point?
J.D. Power is not kind to VW when measuring dependability, so an extended warranty would not be a bad idea here. Also, one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s tests, the updated “moderate overlap front” test, did not reflect well on the Atlas, either.
This exact one comes in at $45,020 after shipping, with only a couple of minor options, including those black wheels. This one is called the Atlas SE with Technology and it’s actually the second lowest trim level offered on the Atlas.
That’s kind of a deal in this market, especially for a vehicle that brings plenty of upscale style to the table.
