2019 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2018 VW Atlas near Charlotte

Vehicle Overview

When it comes to the quality of their vehicles, Volkswagen has been a reliable brand for years, and it's easy to see why. As far as SUVs go, the Atlas has one of the most spacious interiors, with plenty of room for everything and everyone. The comfortable and smooth ride provided by the vehicle is couple with a more responsive handling than what is usually expected from big SUVs. The first generation of Atlas was introduced in 2018, and the 2019 model improves on what 2018 brought to the table, debuting 2 new trim levels on top of expanding available features. In the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2018 VW Atlas battle, we believe that the 2019 model is the clear winner. If you want to learn more about the Atlas, come down to our Charlotte area VW dealership (serving Huntersville Charlotte Concord Gastonia).

Charlotte NC - 2019 Volkswagen Atlas's Overview

Exterior - 2019 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas is a beast among crossover SUVs, being close to 200 inches of overall length - despite this, it drives lighter than its size might suggest. The VW Atlas has a wide grille and headlights which sweep back into its fenders. Its window line curves upwards at the rearmost roof pillar, and the tail the vehicle has a conventional look, featuring a chrome strip which stretches between its taillights. The car comes standard with its 18-inch wheels which look big in the car's squared-off wheel openings. Optional 20-inch wheels are available, included on the SEL premium trim level and with the R-Design package. Its big rear doors swing wide open, which makes for excellent access to the 2nd row, and a 3-seat bench is standard.

Charlotte NC - 2019 Volkswagen Atlas's Exterior

Interior - 2019 Volkswagen Atlas near Charlotte

On the inside the Atlas has a conservative look with its simple lines and its convenient control layout. It includes a 6.5 inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, but an 8.0 inch display is also available. The car is fit to carry 7 passengers, and unlike plenty of its rivals it is actually able to seat 7 adults with reasonable comfort. Besides having plenty of room for passengers, the Atlas is of great help when it comes to its cargo utility - 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the 3rd row upright, and 55.5 cubes with the individual 3rd row seats folded flat. If you really need the cargo space, fold the 3rd and 2nd rows of chairs and you get an impressive amount of cargo space - close to 97 cubic feet. The front seats have good outward vision, and they are wrapped in cloth on the S trim, while the SE and SEL trim levels feature synthetic leather. If you go up to the 2019 Atlas SEL Premium you'll be getting real leather for the front seats. In addition, the Atlas features the Volkswagen Car-Net App-Connect with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth with audio streaming. The SEL trim level retains last year features but also adds dual-zone automatic climate control.

Charlotte NC - 2019 Volkswagen Atlas's Interior

Mechanical - Volkswagen Atlas specs near Charlotte

For the 2018 model, Volkswagen offered 15 standard configurations, 4 of which featured a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, while the other 11 had a 3.6 liter V6. For the 2019 model, the 2.0 liter trim levels drop from 4 to only 1. The 3.6 liter V6 is rated at 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, while the 2.0 liter turbo-4 produces 235 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque. Regardless of engine type, the VW Atlas features an 8-speed automatic transmission which responds quickly to inputs. When it comes to saving fuel, the VW Atlas features a start-stop system which cuts out the engine when you're waiting for traffic lights, and this helps reduce emissions and save fuel. In addition, the car runs on unleaded fuel, which will help you save some money at the end of the day. The V-6 engine paired to all-wheel drive is rated at 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. If you choose the front-wheel drive the numbers look even better, at 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. When it comes to the standard turbo-4, the car is even more fuel efficient, the engine being rated at 22, 26, 24 mpg.

Charlotte NC - 2019 Volkswagen Atlas's Mechanical

Safety - 2019 Volkswagen Atlas dealer

If you're not sure about which vehicle is the winner in the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2018 VW Atlas war, then the safety feature alone should clear things up. The 2018 model earned "Good" scores in all of IIHS' relevant tests, and was considered a Top Safety Pick. In the opposite corner however, the 2019 model got the Top Safety Pick+ award, having added a lot more safety features to the already impressive list. The 2019 model's collision-avoidance tech was rated by the insurance industry-funded group as "Superior". Both the 2018 VW Atlas and the 2019 model come with a rearview camera system and post collision braking which automatically holds the vehicle in place once it detects a wreck, however, the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas also adds automatic emergency braking, rear-cross traffic alerts, and blind-spot monitors as standard safety equipment on all its trim levels.

If you are still unsure about which car is the right one for you, come down to our Charlotte area VW dealership (serving Huntersville Charlotte Concord Gastonia) in order to convince yourself that the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is the right choice over the 2018 VW Atlas. Our staff makes customer service a priority, and is prepared to answer all your questions about the model in order for you to make a confident purchase. Moreover, you can contact us and arrange a test drive in order to experience the Atlas first hand and see the amount of features that it has to offer.