The Volkswagen Atlas is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by the German automaker Volkswagen since 2017. Developed mainly for the North American and Chinese market, the vehicle is based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. Outside the US, Canadian, and Chilean markets, the vehicle is marketed as the Volkswagen Teramont. It is positioned above the long-wheelbase Tiguan and below the smaller but more upmarket Touareg.

Overview

Marketed as the Atlas in North America, Chile, and Israel, the vehicle is known as the Teramont elsewhere, including the rest of the Middle East Africa, as well as in Mexico, Russia, Colombia and China, where production in Ningbo began in 2017. For markets outside China, the Atlas/Teramont is produced in the Chattanooga plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States.

The vehicle features a transverse mounted four-cylinder or Volkswagen's VR6 engine. Up to the introduction of the China-only Viloran, the Atlas was the largest vehicle produced on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform.

Markets

North America (Atlas)

The CrossBlue previewed the Atlas/Teramont as a concept diesel plug-in-hybrid mid-size crossover SUV in September 2013. The Atlas was introduced at the LA Auto Show in Los Angeles on November 17, 2016. The name Atlas was picked for the region after the proposed Teramont name was rejected by dealers. It went on sale in the United States and Canada in May 2017 as a 2018 model year.

Features included in the Atlas are the VW Digital Cockpit, up to 96.8 cubic feet (2.74 m³) of rear cargo space, seventeen total cup holders, a second row bench seat with room for three child safety seats or optional second row captains chairs with room for two child safety seats, a third row seating area that can be accessed with child safety seats still in place, standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity with Volkswagen CarNet and MirrorLink, seven total stability enhancing systems, and available Volkswagen 4Motion four wheel drive system on most models.

Engines

The Atlas has two gasoline engine options in the United States.

Safety

The 2018 Atlas received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick" rating after earning "Good" ratings in all five crashworthiness tests, and a "Superior" rating on the front crash prevention test. This was in January 2018.

2021 refresh

At the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the refreshed Atlas for the model year of 2021. Changes include a new front end, which is based on the Atlas Cross Sport, redesigned wheels, new rear lights, and a new steering wheel. It was facelifted for Mexico on December 1, 2020, alongside the introduction of the Teramont Cross Sport.

2024 refresh

The 2024 model year Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport was revealed in February 2023. Changes include a redesigned front and rear clip, and a heavily revised interior design. The Atlas also gained an electronic shift-by-wire gear selector, 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Since the 2024 refresh, the Atlas is no longer offered with a VR6 engine due to tougher EPA emissions standards required for future model years. A 269 hp (273 PS; 201 kW) turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine became the only engine option, with towing capacity unchanged at 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg).

China (Teramont)

In China, the Teramont was unveiled at the 2016 Guangzhou Auto Show. The Teramont is made in China by the SAIC-Volkswagen joint venture for the Chinese market. The Volkswagen Teramont is available with an 186 hp (189 PS; 139 kW) 2.0-liter TSI, a 220 hp (223 PS; 164 kW) 2.0-liter TSI, or with a 299 hp (303 PS; 223 kW) 2.5-liter VR6. All variants are paired to a 7-speed DSG with the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system. The 2.0-liter engines are locally manufactured in China, while the VR6 engine is manufactured in Germany and shipped over to the factory in Shanghai. It was developed specifically for the Chinese market where engines above 3.0 liters are subject to heavy excise tax.

Engines

Facelift

At the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the refreshed Teramont for the model year of 2021 in China. Changes include a new front end, redesigned wheels, and new full-width rear lights. It was introduced alongside the introduction of the Teramont X 2021 facelift.

Two-row versions

The Atlas Cross Sport (called Teramont X in China and Teramont Cross Sport in Mexico) is a smaller variation of the Atlas/Teramont. The 4.97 meter long vehicle has the same wheelbase (2.98 meters) as the three-row model, but has a lower roof and angled rear window to give it a sportier appearance and is only available with two rows of seating instead of three.

North America (Atlas Cross Sport)

The Atlas Cross Sport debuted in North America in early 2020, as a new model for the 2020 model year. Available engines are the same as the original Atlas: a turbocharged four-cylinder and a VR6. The Atlas Cross Sport is offered in S, SE, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium, and SEL Premium R-Line trims. The Cross Sport was previewed by the concept CrossBlue Coupe in September 2013. This Atlas Cross Sport, known in Mexico as the Teramont Cross Sport, was introduced for the Mexican market on December 1, 2020, alongside the facelifted Teramont. It is only sold in the Highline trim level and it is equipped with the R-Line aerodynamic kit.

China (Teramont X)

The Teramont X was unveiled in April 2019 in 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. It positioned as a coupé version of the Teramont in the Chinese market. The engine options is also shared with the standard Teramont, however all Teramont X models have four-wheel drive as standard. It features a different front fascia compared to the North American Atlas Cross Sport. Debuting alongside the Teramont 2021 model year facelift, the Teramont X in China received a facelift for the 2021 model year, and another facelift for the 2023 model year.

Production and sales

References

External links

• Official website
• Official website (Cross Sport)