2024 Volkswagen Atlas - HUGE Upgrades Makes it Hard to Beat for a 3 Row

Sometimes people ask me what I look for in a vehicle and being a family guy, its not always about horsepower and 0-60 times. Its about comfort, convenience and room. Those 3 things will always win out and is always the preferred choice in the driveway which is why I often recommend the VW Atlas especially when it comes down to outright room.

For 2024 the Atlas gets all around changes. The looks remained chiseled and bold but things get a little smoother. The 4 bar grill is a little larger and comes in either chrome or black on the R-Line, adaptive stacked front Led lights are standard, the lower facia also gets a makeover. Also new for the Atlas is the Peak Edition trim which features both lack and chrome on the grill and adds not only badging but an overall more rugged blacked out appearance.

I absolutely love the illuminated VW Badge front and back as well as the light bars, it really gives the Atlas not only a modern look but it also a nice premium touch.

Atlas means big and this one is sure that, it’s not only the largest vehicle in the VW lineup but for sure the leader in size in the segment. Its almost midsize+. Wheel sizes range from 18” all the way up to 21”, regardless, this SUV has some major road presence.

You want a little more style? how about for the the Cross Sport which features many of the same upgrades as the regular Atlas but provides a sportier look. The new Cross Sport now comes with a larger rear spoiler and rear diffuser. I think this is a great option for those not wanting or needing a third row of seats. Personally its one of the better looking coupe style SUVs IMO. Its still a very large vehicle, just minus 2 seats.

Start the engine and you’ll hear a new 2.0 Turbo at play. This 269hp and 273 lb.ft 4cylinder is the new standard power plant across the board and for those wondering about the V6, well this EVO4 engine is one of the most advanced ever built which gives 34 more horsepower and 15 lb.ft more torque than the previous 4 and almost the same as the V6 with more torque and broader rev range. Theres lots that has been done to the engine from new higher pressure injector, lots of reduced friction work and the catalytic convert has a larger volume now for better efficiency.

The new cast block has not only been lightened to reduce mass but a lot of work has went into noise reduction internally. End result, listen for yourselves, it doesn’t have that loud buzzy feel often experiences with turbo 2.0 engines.

Power is going through an 8 speed automatic and in Canada, all Atlas trims come with VW’s latest 4motion AWD system. In the US, you do have a 2WD option. Not only is the latest system proactive when needing to apply power where needed, to improve efficiency when not needed the system will decouple the rear and only drive the front wheels.