As the biggest Volkswagen, the three-row Atlas is a relative newcomer to the midsize SUV segment. Monster-sized Atlas (198 inches long, 78 inches wide, 70 inches high) packs numerous safety standards on all seven trims, including front brake assist, blind spot monitor, rear traffic alert, rain sensing wipers, and heated side mirrors. The tested top-of-the-line Atlas V6 SEL Premium’s permanent all wheel drive system (which VW dubs 4MOTION®) compliments the vehicle’s 8 inches of ground clearance and the 20.4-degree front/22.2-degree rear departure angles. Parking, U-turns and other vehicle maneuvers unfold via 2.76 lock-to-lock steering wheel turns.

The tested Atlas was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 276 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 266 pounds-feet of torque at 2750 rpm. Base engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Both engines mate to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Cargo space is immense with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 96.8 cubic feet behind the front row. The SEL Premium model is a sound-mecca, featuring an Atlas-specific engineered 12-speaker Fender audio system. The tested 117.3-inch wheelbase 2019 Atlas V6 SEL Premium with AWD carries a MSRP of $48,395 and estimated mpg of 17 city/23 highway.