Volkswagen unveiled its new Atlas SUV on the New York Worldwide Auto Present not too long ago, however the smaller engine and lack of hybrids counsel it nonetheless doesn’t grasp what American patrons need within the booming three-row seven-seater market.
Automobile launches are usually ghastly occasions, and this was manner down there with essentially the most hideous… and maybe gave a clue as to why VW struggles to match its large European gross sales success in America.
The All-New 2027 Atlas | Volkswagen of America
For many years, the enormous German group has repeatedly didn’t catch the temper of American customers. The second-generation mannequin launches within the face of a 6% fall in US gross sales final 12 months. That’s 71k, which sounds wholesome, however is manner behind the Ford Explorer (223k), Chevrolet Traverse (148k), and round half the Toyota Grand Highlander’s 137k.
All this issues as a result of, as we’ve seen from recent launches, the battle for three-row SUVs is hotting up. American households are switching from minivans to those larger seven-seat SUVs, and the world’s producers are clamoring for a share of these worthwhile SUV gross sales.
On this context, the Atlas II arrived with a whimper slightly than a crash. Reviewers discovered all of it a little bit underwhelming, with the headline modifications being a considerably smarter design than its predecessor and a normal all-round improve of onboard tech and luxuries. Impartial journalists doubted that ambient lighting, an even bigger infotainment display screen, and a powered tailgate would swing the gross sales battle VW’s manner.
Volkswagen
In lots of eyes, the Atlas has merely grow to be extra like its sister SUV, the Audi Q7, which is meant to be the extra upmarket mannequin. High Gear dismissed the brand new automobile, saying it lacks character and “feels weedy.”
The place you may assume the Atlas wanted one thing extra, err, persuasive, is underneath the hood. However the brand new mannequin comes with only one engine configuration, and surprisingly it’s smaller than the earlier 3.6-liter VR6. Towing capability stays the identical, efficiency marginally higher. Okay, six extra horses have been added with the brand new 2.0-liter four-cylinder Evo5 ICE turbo unit, however many Individuals choose these old-school V engines.
High Gear and Edmunds have pushed the brand new Atlas, and each report that underneath heavy acceleration – say merging on a freeway with seven folks inside – the four-pot turbo sounds “strained” and “buzzy,” whereas the outdated VR6 had a smoother, premium growl.
Volkswagen
And as for hybrids and electrics, there are not any within the 2027 lineup in any respect. As an alternative, VW is promising a hybrid model ‘later within the lifecycle.’ Observers counsel this might be as late as 2029, with the arrival of a brand new non-plug-in hybrid platform shared with the Atlas Cross Sport and Tiguan. It means Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, and quite a few Chinese language newcomers are already manner forward of VW.
The place as soon as it was an import pioneer with the Beetle and Kind 2 Bus, it has didn’t capitalize on these cult victories, with a long time of mismatched merchandise. Repeatedly, vehicles designed for European wants – with small engines, compact frames, and cornering stability – have didn’t captivate Individuals wanting house, energy, and magnificence. It appears unbelievable that VW nonetheless doesn’t provide a full-size pickup truck, the biggest-selling automobile section within the USA. Add within the stigma of Dieselgate, poor reliability scores, and tariff prices, and VW’s try at a assured, upbeat Atlas launch was considerably onerous to look at.
The automobile is anticipated to go on sale later this 12 months, full specs and pricing are but to come back.
Supply: VW
