7-Passenger 2025 VW Atlas SUV Delivers High-End With Afforability

Published 11:30 pm Thursday, August 21, 2025

The SUV mid-size family market niche is undoubtedly a crowded one.

Volkwagen’s 2025 Atlas SEL Premium R-Line stands out from the rest with its competitive levels

of technology and spaciousness combined with VW’s hallmark driving dynamics, attention to

detail, and affordability.

A seven-passenger people and cargo mover, Atlas received a complete refresh last year and

competitive tweaks in 2025. It comes in five trims: including SE, SE w/ Technology, Peak

Edition, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line.

All trims now feature standard 15W wireless charging and Light Assist. The SEL Premium R-

Line trim sports new high-end design and comfort features, including headrest perforation on all

seats, four-way lumbar support, and massage function for front seats. New colors on Atlas

include Mountain Lake Blue and Avocado Green.

My tester was powered by a 2.0-liter, TSI 16-valve, DOHC, turbocharged four-cylinder engine

paired with an eight-speed automatic with Tiptronic 4MOTION technology. The combination

delivers 269 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque, and has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000

pounts. It has an extended range of over 460 miles, and provides 28 miles per gallon fuel

economy down the highway.

All Atlas models feature Drive Mode Select, which allows the driver to select specific vehicle

profiles based on driving conditions. It has five settings for front-wheel-drive models: Eco,

Comfort, Sport, Custom, and Snow. All-wheel-drive models add an Offroad mode.

A road trip took me on the Mountain Loop Highway between Granite Falls and Darrington. I

slipped the Atlas into Offroad mode, traversing Barlow Pass. It handled the pothole and rutted

gravel road with control and comfort to the surprise on my 90-year old inlaw passengers.

The interior design of the Atlas is classic Volkswagen—clean and functional, with a premium

feel. Driver controls are positioned for optimal ergonomics and usability, and simple, driver-

centric displays enhance involvement behind the wheel.

The Atlas makes maximum use of its three-row seating layout to offer space for up to seven

adults, boasting a cavernous 154 cu-ft of total passenger volume. With all three rows in use, it

provides 20.5 cu.ft. of cargo space. Folding both the second- and third-rows flat opens up 96.6

cu.ft.

Among the many R-line upgrades are 21-inch alloy wheels, stainless steel pedal caps and a

Harman Kardon sound system with 400-watts power, a 12-channel amplifier, and 12 speakers

including multiple woofers and tweeters.

Other favored goodies included navigation, power moonroof, three-zone climate control,

Bluetooth connectivity, Qi wireless charging, XM radio, head-up display, and a digital cockpit pro

configurable instrument display.

IQ.DRIVE allows for semi-automated driving assistance with adapative cruise control, forward

collision warning and braking, lane assist, pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, active side assist

and rear traffic alerts, along with park assist, rear view camera, hill hold and hill descent control,

dynamic road sign display, and more.

Volkswagen’s Atlas competes toe-to-tow with the big boys in its category, and simply wins when

it comes to price. Families are ensured years of happiness, versatility and safety with its

purchase.

Base Price: $54,630

Price As Driven: $55,780

Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufaturer. List

price may vary at local dealerships.