With the mid-size Atlas SUV and its Atlas Cross Sport sibling, Volkswagen takes a different approach from that of the luxury brands. Whereas BMW, Mercedes-Benz and the like charge more for the chopped-roof versions of their SUVs, VW prices the Atlas duo according to how much SUV you get: the smaller five-seat Atlas Cross Sport costs less than the more spacious seven-seat Atlas.
Fresh off a face-lift for the 2024 model year, the Atlas siblings are little changed for 2025, with wireless device charging and automatic high beams now standard across the line and massaging front seats with adjustable lumbar support now included on the range-topping Premium R-Line trims.
Related: 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Review: Smart Changes (Nearly) Redeem a Former Favorite
Powertrain Specs and MPG
A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is the only engine available in the Atlas. It generates 269 horsepower and 273 pounds-feet of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on the SE and SE With Technology trim levels, with all-wheel drive available for $1,900; AWD is standard on higher trims.
The Atlas Cross Sport returns an EPA-estimated 20/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 19/26/21 mpg with AWD. The larger Atlas suffers somewhat, with the base SE trim level rated at 20/26/22 mpg with FWD and 19/26/21 mpg with AWD. The Atlas SEL manages 18/25/21 mpg, while the off-road-oriented Peak Edition’s all-terrain tires knock it down to 18/25/20 mpg.
Availability and Pricing
Both the Atlas and the Atlas Cross Sport are available in five trim levels. Four of those are the same between the two models: SE, SE With Technology, SEL and SEL Premium R-Line. VW also offers the seven-seat Atlas in the rugged-looking Peak Edition trim, while the Atlas Cross Sport gets a dedicated SEL R-Line Black trim, which features black 20-inch wheels and exterior accents. Both models are on sale now. Full pricing, including the $1,425 destination fee, is as follows:
Atlas
- SE: $39,695
- SE with Technology: $43,730
- Peak Edition SE With Technology: $48,080
- SEL: $49,625
- SEL Premium R-Line: $54,630
Atlas Cross Sport
- SE: $38,615
- SE With Technology: $42,720
- SEL: $48,615
- SEL R-Line Black: $50,565
- SEL Premium R-Line: $53,620
Safety Features and Trim Levels
Volkswagen’s IQ.Drive safety suite is standard on the 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport. It includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and lane departure steering assist.
In addition, the entry-level SE trim on both SUVs includes 18-inch wheels, LED exterior lighting, keyless entry and start, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Inside are synthetic leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and dual-zone (Cross Sport) or tri-zone (Atlas) automatic climate control. Both models also have six speakers, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and satellite radio.
The SE With Technology adds front and rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, trailer-hitch receiver, 20-inch wheels, remote start and rear window shades.
Only available in the seven-seat Atlas, the Peak Edition gets an off-road-ready look thanks to unique front and rear bumpers and rocker panels, blacked-out exterior trim and black 18-inch wheels wearing all-terrain tires. It also gains a panoramic moonroof and ambient lighting.
Both body styles’ SEL trim levels pick up the panoramic moonroof and ambient lighting from the Peak Edition and gain road-sign recognition, a head-up display, genuine leather, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated outboard second-row seats and heated windshield washer nozzles.
The Cross Sport’s exclusive trim level, the SEL R-Line Black goes for a more street-oriented performance look than the Peak Edition, with dark-gray 20-inch wheels (wrapped in all-season tires) and blacked-out exterior trim.
Topping off both the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport lineups is the SEL Premium R-Line, which features automated steering during parking (the driver still has to operate the pedals and shifter), a 360-degree camera system and 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Premium is spiffed up with diamond-stitched leather, massaging front seats and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.
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