Not for the first time, we turn our attention to the brand-new 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, a 7-passenger midsize SUV that has been available to Canadian consumers for several weeks now, starting at $35,690.
In case you missed them, we carried out a road test in the snow as well as a springtime test drive, and compared it with the Ford Explorer in a head-to-head.
Convinced of the many qualities and features that make this an attractive transportation choice for families, we give you 10 reasons why the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas could seduce yours.
- 1. Like most German cars, the Atlas offers impressive agility and handling, perfect for safely navigating urban traffic and then getting the most out of winding country roads.
- 2. If you need your car to pull a trailer, a boat or an ATV or two, the 276-hp 3.6L V6 is capable and then some—it can pull up to 5,000 lbs.
- 3. To be made available soon, the 4-cylinder turbo engine burns as little as 8.0L/100 km on the highway and 10.6L/100 km in the city. And yet, with 235 hp at its disposal, this powertrain is strong enough to tow up to 2,000 lbs, roughly the weight of a tent-trailer.
- 4. Whatever the road conditions or the terrain, the 4MOTION all-wheel drive system that comes with the V6 is highly effective, as demonstrated to our contributor Denis Duquet when he tested it this past winter (click on the link above). And then there are the four available drive modes, which you can select with the turn of a knob.
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- 5. The roomy cabin of the Atlas can comfortably accommodate adults even in the third row of seats. And if you don’t happen to need this row, you’ll benefit from 1,572 litres of cargo space.
- 6. The second row of seating can be replaced as an option by more comfortable captain’s chairs. Lumbar support can be custom-set as you please, as can the armrests and the available legroom.
- 7. With the remote on your person, you need only sweep your foot under the rear bumper for the power liftgate to open like sesame (optional).
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- 8. Family road trips this summer are even more of a pleasure with the panoramic sunroof and the 480-watt, 12-speaker Fender audio system; both options are worth serious consideration. Each Atlas model also comes with 10 cup holders (including two bone-shaped ones in the third row that are ideal for housing portable video-game consoles).
- 9. The available 12.3-inch digital cockpit behind the steering wheel will give you the impression you’re driving an Audi. Plus, with App Connect you can listen, navigate or send hands-free text messages (the system is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink).
- 10. Is the reliability of German products giving you pause? Contrary to some Japanese and American rivals whose bumper-to-bumper warranties run only 3 years/60,000 km, Volkswagen covers the Atlas for 4 years or 80,000 km.
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