I could not think of a name better suited for a car to take us across the south and up into the northeast than the ‘Atlas.’
The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was on loan with the mission to explore the states. With five passengers aboard, the concern is always making sure that everyone has enough room. We did.
5 Passengers, 3 Generations and 1 week on the Road
The interior is well designed, both the driver and passenger seats were comfortable; the driver’s seat offered easy to see views with minimal blindspots. The backseat not only carried one teen and two adults with generous space and roominess, but the rear seatbacks also reclined, perfect for a road trip. There was ample legroom to stretch out a bit and headspace was not a problem either. I was also impressed with the width of the backseats; each passenger truly had their own space and an average of two cupholders per person.
Plenty of Room for Souvenirs…….
The cargo area held each individual’s suitcase with room to spare. Behind the rear seats you will find 40.3 cubic feet for luggage, cooler, souvenirs, etc.
Passengers have a dual climate zone, and while rear passengers have vents, they have to rely on the front passengers to control what comes out of those vents.
Wind and road noise was really not noticeable, so passengers could easily hold a conversation.
The panoramic moonroof adds a nice touch of outdoors as it spans the front and rear passenger seats.
The side mirrors are just the right size, and not only light up when you use your turn signal, but also when a car is in your blind spot. The Atlas Cross Sport comes standard with blind spot monitoring. This little safety feature has always been a favorite of mine.
Speaking of Favorites, Let’s Talk Tech
Being on a road trip, we used the radio a fair amount, listening to podcast, music and audiobooks. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration come standard. The Fender Audio System gave us the feel that we were at a live performance of our favorite artist.
The Apple CarPlay was uncomplicated, we could simply plug in our smartphone (or connect it wirelessly), and our apps would appear on the touchscreen display.
The 8-inch touchscreen navigation system is sleek. Route guidance assists you with turn-by-turn information. Love the simplicity of Volkswagen’s navigation system, it took the guess work out of unfamiliar highways and byways.
Driver Assistance
The Atlas Cross Sport comes with a plethora of driver assist aids…. adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring system, forward collision warning & autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, and the aforementioned blind spot monitor.
How is the VW Atlas Cross Sport for Older Drivers?
Having your parent ride shot-gun is always interesting. Both mom and dad, who are 75 and 74, each took turns in the co-pilot’s seat and found the Atlas’ functions to be straightforward and effortless. They learned to use apps and functions they had only heard of but never experienced.
Pretty soon, they were ‘one with the Atlas.’ They learned how to use the multimedia system, navigation, climate controls, Apple CarPlay and Spotify. They also were delighted with the Atlas Cross Sport’s ‘Gesture control,’ which senses your hand in front of the screen. Just swipe your hand toward the screen and it scrolls seemingly on its own. May the force be with you!
Volkswagen’s Car-Net Services
Volkswagen already comes equipped with keyless access, wireless charging, and remote start, but if you are not familiar with Car-Net Services, these are even more wonderful features to enhance your driving experience….. VW Car-Net Hotspot, provides Wifi on-the-go, VW Car-Net Remote Access/Remote Commands, which means you can start the engine, lock and unlock the doors, honk the horn, or even control your car from miles away, using safety features such as limiting a new driver’s speed when they are behind the wheel. The VW Car-Net services are available through your VW app on your phone. Plus, you can sync your Car-Net with your Alexa to say remote commands at home. Last, you can enroll in DriveView and your driving data will be scored and potentially save your discounts on your auto insurance.
How Did the Atlas Perform?
The Atlas Cross Sport is a larger SUV, comparable to Kia Telluride, Jeep Grand Cherokee or Honda Pilot. For its size, it is surprisingly agile; the only time it felt large, was when parking. And though it has reasonably strong acceleration and looks sporty, it does not drive sporty. The Natchez Trace Parkway provided scenic views throughout Tennessee as well as an engaging, smooth, and responsive ride on winding roads.
How Often Did I Stop for Gas?
Hmmmm, well, the answer is more than the average EV driver. The four-cylinder Atlas Cross Sport rates around 21 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, for a combined 23 mpg. Obviously, the V-6 will be thirstier, with around 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg highway.
What Trim Level is the Best Value?
Of the different trims offered on the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, I test drove the SE with Technology. The cabin has an upscale appearance, a leatherette wrapped steering wheel, and heated front row seats. And though slightly more expensive than a few of its competitors, the SE with Technology is a sensible buy for what is offered and only about $4,000 more than their base model. The value you get will be worth the dollar amount. Volkswagen also offers two years/20,000 miles of free scheduled maintenance, roadside assistance for 3 years/36,000 miles and their warranty is four years/50,000 miles for both basic and powertrain coverage.
Overall Price?
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a reasonable buy that starts around $39,000 for the SE with Technology model mentioned above. Buyers will be satisfied with a versatile mid-size SUV that definitely has solid family friendly appeal.
