VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS 2021 ANDROID
VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS 2021 FREE

Satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on board, and the system can be optioned further on SEL trims with factory navigation and, on the SEL Premium, a Fender audio system. It's a bit austere in design, but it's suitably fast and it looks slick with the quick-navigation buttons on either side of the screen. While the graphics and responsiveness have been freshened up over the years, it's still largely the same telematics getup that I have in my personal 2016 VW Golf SportWagen. While the base S trim might only receive a 6-inch touchscreen, every other 2021 Atlas variant ramps it up to an 8-inch unit. Andrew Krok/Roadshow Familiar, friendly tech Not only is there a decent amount of space in the Atlas' third row, it's damned easy to get into thanks to a clever tilt-and-slide handle on the second-row bench. The transmission is smooth, but gear changes show up a little later than I'd like, especially in conjunction with this specific engine. Catch the V6 in one of its flat spots and it'll just putt about idly until you provide enough throttle for a downshift to kick in. The 3.6 is happy to accelerate, but only in the corners of the tachometer where it actually generates motive force. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board, while buyers get the choice of two or four driven wheels. While a 235-horsepower, 2.0-liter I4 is the base engine, this Atlas carries the upgraded 3.6-liter V6 that produces 276 hp. Some of that likely comes from my tester's powertrain. The brake pedal doesn't have this it's much easier to stop smoothly than it is to start smoothly. Smooth driving is a great thing to have in a family car, and it's hard to avoid head bobs when 15% throttle feels like 75%. I don't know if automakers spice up the gas pedal's response for a specific reason, but it's getting annoying. Specifically, its throttle is entirely too touchy. VW's Atlas also exhibits the same weirdness that I remember from the Subaru Ascent. I bounce around more than I'd like, but fatter tires and smaller wheels on lower trims will probably remedy that. The 265/45R21 Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tires have suitable sidewall, so the ride could be worse, but it feels just a bit too aggressive for a family vehicle in this spec. Take my SEL R-Line tester, for example: Its 21-inch wheels are the largest on offer, and while they fill the wells nicely, they also contribute to a ride that's a smidge more brittle than I'd like over harsh bits like expansion joints. And, like many other cars in this segment and beyond, much of it will depend on the wheels and tires that come with your trim. The 2021 Atlas' focus on sense and sensibility also shines through in the way it drives. Junk storage is ample, too, thanks to a deep center console and multiple cubbies scattered about the cabin. There's suitable cargo space behind the third row, thanks to the fact that the Atlas is about 3 inches longer than before, but lowering the seats when they aren't needed offers up positively cavernous amounts of storage for suitcases, sports equipment, you name it. The second row's tilt-and-slide function lets smaller passengers offer up a bit more legroom to the third row, but even in its default position, my 6-foot frame is decently comfortable way back there, with both headroom and legroom that would make longer trips tolerable.

The leatherette seats are supportive, and the Atlas' upright silhouette means there's plenty of visibility on all sides.ДЄn upright design means there's loads of space inside the 2021 Atlas.

VOLKSWAGEN ATLAS 2021 FREE

Plus, the heated steering wheel finally receives its own button, breaking free from the shackles of the heated-seat controls. There's a new steering wheel (with VW's new logo), and I appreciate the fact that the switches feel premium. From the HVAC switchgear to, uh, all the other switchgear, VW relies heavily on its parts bin inside, which has benefits from a familiarity standpoint but can feel a little stale at the same time. If you've been inside any other Volkswagen in the last five years, the refreshed Atlas' cabin will be immediately familiar. The prerefresh Atlas' key design staples carry over, and I'm glad they do - I don't know why, but I am obsessed with how aggressive its fenders are.

It's a good look, even if 21s seem kind of large for a mass-market crossover. My SEL-trim tester sports the $1,700 R-Line package, which ramps things up further with sportier bumpers, side skirts and honkin' 21-inch wheels. The rear bumper is a little different, too, but it's harder to notice. It's most obvious up front, where the Cross Sport's face has been grafted onto the regular Atlas with great effect. But now that there's a new two-row Atlas Cross Sport in town, the O.G. The prerefresh VW Atlas had a bit of an Isuzu Axiom look going with its blocky features and squarish headlights.

Volkswagen atlas 2021