Our Thoughts Exactly: 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

Lately, I’ve been keen on midsize three-row SUVs.

Why? 

It’s all about market trends. If families do not want to be seen in a minivan, this segment – as well as larger and more expensive SUVs – they want the most third-row room as possible. 

They also want a compromise between passenger and cargo space. It’s that give and take that comes down whether you want to bring your child’s friends and/or their sporting equipment. 

Here’s another way of looking at it: What if I want a very roomy vehicle where I can lower the third row to fit mobility devices, musical instruments, a week’s worth of luggage, a serious IKEA haul…you name it!

Given these “requirements,” which vehicle would fit the bill the best?

Recently, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas came up in a discussion. More inspired by a couple of recent competitors I worked with this summer. Yet, we shouldn’t forget that the folks at Wolfsburg developed a vehicle to address the needs and wants of North American (and Chinese) families. 

The big Atlas has been with us for eight years now. It has been revised twice – the 2024 model year being the latest. The last one, an Atlas Cross Sport, I totally dug – a serious glow-up for what was a purposeful, straight-forward, and practical vehicle. 

For this round, I went to work with the 2025 SEL Premium R-Line three-row model – the top-of-the-line trim level. Let me say that this is the right one. 

Not because it’s the most luxurious trim. Simply put, the 2025 Atlas looks and feels elevated. 

The current design is evidence of this. The darker textured grille is bold and beautiful. Flanked by a set of LED headlamps, augmented by an illuminated bar across the top of the grille and a lit-up logo. Out back is the wider horizontal LED lightning signature that adorns the liftgate. 

In the middle is a purposeful profile. A long roof with a slight angle at a rear is also framed by a large glass area on the side. The 2025 Atlas has stature without any fancy shapes, angles, or anything that retrains the eye. Add a set of 21-inch alloy wheels to the mix, and you have an elegant Volkswagen SUV worthy of its place in the lineup at your child’s school. 

When you step inside, you are welcomed with a lovely dashboard. The woodgrain finished trim help shape the places where the Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster and Discover Pro 12-inch infotainment touchscreen are located. A head-up display provides key information with your eyes focused on the road. You have a mix of tactile and haptic touch controls throughout the cabin, that all work well.

Harmon Kardon supplies the sounds throughout the cabin with 12 speakers. The Discover Pro screen works through App-Connect for wireless smartphone mirroring. You also have a wireless charger underneath the center stack in the console. 

The vast cabin measures 153.7 cubic feet for seven passengers to enjoy the ride in the SEL Premium R-Line’s perforated leather upholstery. It starts with large front seats that offers support, but they can be a tad firm. They do work to keep you attentive behind the wheel. The three-seat second-row is comfortable and offers loads of space. Access to the third row is as easy as a lever that flips and slides away the second row quickly. Adults actually can sit behind each other along all three rows in decent comfort.

For cargo space, it starts off with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row. Fold down the second row, and that space expands to 55.5 cubic feet. With both rearward rows lowered, there is 96.6 cubic feet of usable space. 

Powering the 4,643-pound 2025 Atlas is the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It puts down 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends this power to all four wheels through the 4Motion system. It is also capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.

We love an EA888 engine. The 2025 Atlas does not disappoint. It manages the highway with ease by ensuring more than enough power to move. It is also comfortable when cruising, especially when you enable the Adaptive Cruise Control and all of the driver assistance features within the IQ.DRIVE suite. As for fuel economy, we observed an average of 18.0 MPG. We know it can do better – up to 25 MPG on the highway. 

We expect a mid-size three row SUV to deliver a ride that doesn’t upset the family. You should never worry about that in the 2025 Atlas, because it rides very nicely. Every road surface was absorbed with absolutely no feedback into the cabin. Handling is what you expect in a mid-size SUV. There was more stability through the corners with great reflexes when you need it to act upon any road hazards. 

Overall, steering response from the wheel was solid. On-center feel was spot on. It also yielded a tight turning radius. The brakes were superb, with excellent feel from the pedal. In both normal and panic situations, stops were pretty good in terms of distance and response. 

For 2025, you have a choice of five Atlas three-row models, including the ruggedized Peak Edition. Prices start from $38,200. This SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion test vehicle came with a sticker price of $56,309.

What makes the 2025 Atlas a strong contender in this family-friendly segment is how it carries about its business without a lot of flash and fanfare. While mild-mannered, it also charms brand loyalists. The Atlas three-row SUV is a vehicle that flies under the radar on many shopping lists. 

It offers so many great qualities that make it worth considering. It feels premium, has a wonderful driveline, offers loads of space, and is competitive in pricing. Not to mention that its reliability track record has improved since the 2020 model year. Furthermore, it is assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee – if that matters to you. 

Based on this experience, we ask you to put this on your shopping list. The reason? Because it is a Volkswagen assembled in the U.S. of A. That is something you should consider when shopping in this segment.

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Volkswagen of Inver Grove, Inver Grove Heights, MN – our opinions are of our own.

All photos by Randy Stern