Once upon a time, the Volkswagen Atlas three-row SUV was a Best Of award winner, but a redesign both for it and its sloped-roof Atlas Cross Sport two-row equivalent for 2024 provoked some fundamental questions from our editors upon its debut in February. At least one of those, pricing, has now been answered: The Atlas will start at $39,075 and the Atlas Cross Sport at $38,065 (all pricing includes $1,350 destination).
Related: Up Close With the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport: Classier, With a Caveat
We still haven’t driven the new Atlas, however, so questions over the potency of the new 269-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine — up 34 hp over the previous four-cylinder and nearly as powerful as the erstwhile V-6 option — still remain. VW says it is more efficient than the outgoing four-cylinder, too. What also remains is the powertrain’s eight-speed automatic transmission.
One thing we didn’t love right away was another major change for 2024, a new 12-inch floating center touchscreen cribbed from the electric ID.4, which comes standard and replaces the old standard 6.5-inch and available 8-inch displays. Still, there are positives on the tech front: VW’s IQ.Drive driver-assist suite, which was optional for the 2023 Atlas nameplate, is now standard across the lineup and features lane departure steering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, automatic emergency braking and more. Wireless charging and a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster are also now standard.
Elsewhere inside, the SE’s cabin offers a heated steering wheel, imitation leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, two- (Atlas Cross Sport) or three-zone (Atlas) climate control; four USB-C ports; six-speaker sound system; and a rear seat reminder. Add-ons including remote start, a rear sunshade, panoramic moonroof, head-up display, leather seating, Harmon Kardon audio and a tow hitch are available up the trims.
The exterior is one aspect of the Atlas family that has carried over more or less unchanged save a new member of the trim roster: the Peak Edition, an adventure-themed trim featuring mostly exterior burnishings but no serious trail capability. Beyond that, the Atlas once again comes standard with 18-inch wheels; 20- and 21-inch wheels are available. Adaptive LED headlights are new, and light bars and emblems are optional on higher trims.