- HIGHS: Expansive cabin 2025 Volkswagen Atlas with jaw-dropping versatility, confident towing chops, understated yet modern design.
- LOWS: Cabin aesthetics feel bland, driving dynamics lack spark, touchscreen overkill for simple functions.
- VERDICT: The Atlas masters practicality but trails rivals in charm and driving thrills—a workhorse for families, not enthusiasts.
Table of contents
- Overview
- Where This Vehicle Ranks
- What’s New for 2025?
- Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Towing and Payload Capacity
- Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
- Final Thoughts
- 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Technical Data Sheet
- FAQs
Overview
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is the Swiss Army knife of SUVs: a no-nonsense, three-row fortress built to tackle soccer practices, road trips, and Home Depot runs with equal ease. Boasting seating for seven, a 5,000-pound tow rating, and cavernous cargo space, it’s a suburban survivalist. Passengers revel in limo-like legroom, especially in the second row, while folding all rear seats creates a flat loading bay rivaling small moving vans. But while functionality shines, the Atlas’s interior feels like a minimalist’s sketch—clean but devoid of flair. Power comes from a 269-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic, delivering adequate pep without excitement. Front-wheel drive is standard on lower trims, but all-wheel drive (4Motion) elevates capability. Competitors like the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90 outshine it in panache, but the Atlas Cross Sport offers a sleeker alternative for style seekers willing to sacrifice the third row.
Where This Vehicle Ranks
- Kia Telluride: STARTING AT: $37,585
- Hyundai Palisade: STARTING AT: $36,885
- Mazda CX-90: STARTING AT: $39,300
- Honda Pilot: STARTING AT: $38,500
- Ford Explorer: STARTING AT: $38,280
#25 in Best Mid-Size SUVs: 25. Volkswagen Atlas: STARTING AT: $39,625
What’s New for 2025?
Following a 2024 overhaul, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas tiptoes forward with subtle tweaks. Wireless charging gets a speed boost, and SEL Premium R-Line trims indulge occupants with perforated leather headrests, four-way lumbar support, and seat massagers. Three new hues join the palette: Mountain Lake Blue, Avocado Green, and Pure Grey—the latter two now escaping their Peak Edition exclusivity. Tech enthusiasts will geek out over the ChatGPT-powered voice assistant (via VW’s Car-Net subscription), adding AI wit to navigation and climate commands.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The 2025 Atlas spans 39,625 to 54,630. Here’s the breakdown:
- SE: $39,625
- SE with Technology: $43,730
- Peak Edition SE with Technology: $48,080
- SEL: $49,625
- SEL Premium R-Line: $54,630
Our Pick: SE with Technology + 4Motion AWD. This sweet spot adds 20-inch wheels, remote start, a trailer hitch, and third-row USB ports. Opt for second-row captain’s chairs to pamper passengers.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Every 2025 Volkswagen Atlas shares the same turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder (269 hp, 273 lb-ft) mated to an eight-speed auto. While smoother and peppier than the retired V-6, it’s no speed demon. Steering is precise but lacks engagement, and body roll surfaces during spirited cornering. That said, the Atlas glides gracefully over highways and absorbs urban potholes with ease. Rivals like the CX-90 serve up more driving zest, but VW’s focus remains on comfort over charisma.
0-60 MPH: 7.3 seconds (tested)
Top Speed: 117 mph (electronically capped)
Towing and Payload Capacity
Bragging a 5,000-pound tow rating (with brakes), the Atlas matches the Subaru Ascent and Toyota 4Runner. SE with Technology trims include a factory hitch; base SE models max out at 2,000 pounds with aftermarket gear.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
FWD Models: 20 city / 27 highway
AWD Models: 19 city / 26 highway
Peak Edition: 18 city / 24 highway
In real-world testing, an AWD Atlas netted 25 mpg on a 75-mph highway loop—respectable for its class. For more information about the Atlas’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Atlas’s cabin is a masterclass in pragmatism. Think: 17 cupholders, pillowy seats, and third-row space fit for adults. Materials improved in 2024, but the vibe remains “IKEA-chic”—functional, not fashionable. Cargo-wise, it swallows four carry-ons behind the third row and 38 total, matching the gargantuan Honda Pilot.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A standard 12.0-inch touchscreen anchors the dash, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, six USB-C ports, and a 45-watt charger. Downsides? No volume knob and a steep learning curve for climate controls. The ChatGPT voice assistant (on Car-Net models) adds futuristic flair, though subscriptions apply.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
NHTSA Rating: 5/5 Stars
Standard kit includes forward-collision warning, automated braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional adaptive cruise control with lane-centering eases highway slogs.
For more information visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
VW’s warranty package is solid but unspectacular:
- Limited: 4 years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain: 4 years/50,000 miles
- Complimentary Maintenance: 2 years/20,000 miles
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion is a paradox: a utilitarian vehicle dressed in premium threads. It masters family logistics with peerless cargo space, comfy seating, and rugged capability, yet falls short of engaging drivers. For those valuing substance over sportiness, it’s a consummate choice—just don’t expect heart-racing thrills.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Technical Data Sheet
Vehicle Type: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door wagon
Price: Base/As Tested: 53,805/53,805/54,895
Options: Second-row captain’s chairs (695), Aurora Red Metallic paint (395)
Engine:
- Turbocharged/intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4
- Displacement: 121 in³ (1984 cm³)
- Power: 269 hp @ 5500 rpm
- Torque: 273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Chassis:
- Suspension (F/R): Struts/multilink
- Brakes (F/R): 13.2-in vented disc/12.2-in vented disc
- Tires: Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S 265/45R-21
Dimensions:
- Wheelbase: 117.3 in
- Length/Width/Height: 200.7/78.3/70.4 in
- Cargo Volume (Behind F/M/R): 97/56/21 ft³
- Curb Weight: 4630 lb
Performance:
- 0-60 mph: 7.3 sec
- 1/4-Mile: 15.4 sec @ 92 mph
- Top Speed: 117 mph (governor-limited)
- Braking (70-0 mph): 170 ft
- Skidpad: 0.84 g
Fuel Economy:
- Observed: 21 mpg
- 75-mph Highway: 25 mpg (460-mile range)
EPA: 21/19/25 mpg (combined/city/highway)
FAQs
Q: What’s new for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium R-Line?
A: Upgrades include ChatGPT-powered voice assistant compatibility, perforated leather headrests, and new paint options like Avocado Green.
Q: Can it tow a small trailer?
A: Yes—5,000 pounds with brakes, matching rivals like the Subaru Ascent.
Q: How spacious is the third row?
A: Unusually roomy for adults, with 39 ft³ of passenger volume.
Q: Is the infotainment system user-friendly?
A: The 12.0-inch touchscreen is sharp, but climate controls require screen navigation. Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto come standard.
Q: What’s the warranty coverage?
A: 4 years/50,000 miles limited and powertrain, plus 2 years of free maintenance.
