2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Volkswagen Atlas

• 2024 Volkswagen Atlas

  

  Starting at

  $37,725^[a]

  2023 Volkswagen Atlas

  

  Starting at

  $35,150

  269	Horsepower (hp)	235
  273	Torque (lb-ft)	258
  12	Infotainment (in)	8

  Once upon a time, big families—or anyone looking for a vehicle that had a lot of room inside—had few options to choose from, most of which were minivans. These days, however, large and spacious SUVs have become more popular than ever before, and yet few of them offer the kind of comfort, sophistication, and bold performance that you will find with the Volkswagen Atlas. While the Atlas has been a terrific option since it first hit the road with the 2018 model year, VW has seen fit to update the Atlas for 2024 with impressive new features and a gorgeous facelift. Let’s take a look at the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Volkswagen Atlas to see what is new and why so many people are talking about everything the Atlas has to offer.

  For starters, there is the facelift, which has given the Atlas a bold and powerful new look, making an immediate impact on everyone who sees it. This facelift has changed the feel and appearance of the updated Atlas both inside and out. However, the exterior updates are somewhat more striking and likely to be noticed first, thanks to a new front fascia and headlights, plus new wheel designs. To go along with this, Volkswagen has simultaneously streamlined and improved engine options for the Atlas: only one engine is available rather than two like there were last year. This engine has been improved over the standard from before, however, for excellent performance and the same great towing capacity that you could get on the 2023 model.

  Inside, you will find that the 2024 VW Atlas is not only improved visually, but also in a wide range of ways that make it more functional and comfortable. From the moment you get inside the Atlas, you cannot help but appreciate the visual updates and overall refinement of the interior, creating an environment that you'll look forward to each day. New features that were available last year are now standard, such as ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel, making for a more refined and enjoyable drive. Perhaps best of all, a 12.0-inch infotainment display is now standard inside all Atlas models, providing a gorgeous screen for a wide range of uses and incredible functionality when you are on the road.

• Performance

  

  With a large, three-row SUV, having a proper engine is critical; it is important in any vehicle, to be honest, but such a large model needs a mighty powertrain to ensure it is fun to drive. Volkswagen understands this, and you can see it in every Atlas model since it was introduced, but for the 2024 model year, they have made it better than ever. Two main things stand out when looking at the updated Atlas compared to last year’s model: there is no confusion or doubt about engine choice, and you still get an amazing driving experience.

  For starters, let’s take a look at the engine options for the 2023 VW Atlas: two engines were available, both of which were great, but there was clearly a superior option. The standard engine last year was a 2.0L Turbo I-4 that delivered 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. From there, VW offered an available 3.6L VR-6 engine with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with the same transmission. Both engines came with front-wheel drive (FWD) standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) available; the standard engine allowed for 2,000 lbs of towing, while the available option boosted that to 5,000 lbs.

  Now, looking at the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, the first thing to note is that only a single engine is offered, so you do not have to decide on how much power you want in your SUV. This is a 2.0L Turbo I-4 engine, much like the standard one last year, but it delivers a much improved 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque; this is nearly as much horsepower as the available engine from last year and greater torque. The engine is still paired with an eight-speed automatic, you can choose from FWD and AWD just like before, and it has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. Overall, VW has made things simpler and better at the same time—plus, it has better fuel economy than the available VR-6 from last year, making it a winner all around.

• Exterior

  

  The most striking change for the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is, arguably, the exterior update and facelift that VW’s designers and engineers have given it. We have always loved the look of the Atlas, which has generally had a strong front end with a bold grille, giving it a powerful and evocative appearance that is perfect for a large SUV. You have had plenty of wheel styles to choose from with each model year, letting you get the overall look and feel that you want in your three-row SUV. The Atlas has had great style no matter how you look at it—but there is always room for improvement, and VW’s designers have certainly found it.

  From the moment you first see the 2024 Atlas, the changes are immediately apparent, and many of them revolve around the front end and grille. You will find an all-new front fascia on the 2024 Atlas that somehow looks even more powerful and impressive than the front end of the 2023 model, which is joined by new headlights for an added touch of style and excellent overall visibility. To go along with these changes, new wheel designs and styles are available for this model year, including new 21-inch wheels on select models, providing you with an even more aggressive and powerful stance for your SUV. These updates are eye-catching and stunning, ensuring you have a vehicle that you love to drive and that is sure to catch people’s attention.

• Interior

  

  While we certainly loved the interior of the 2023 model, Volkswagen has never shied away from making updates and improvements everywhere they can. For the 2024 update, the interior has received an overhaul and facelift to go along with the exterior, creating a more sophisticated and stylish overall look. You still get three rows of seating, of course, giving you plenty of room inside for your friends and family to all pile in and hit the road together. Since this is not a redesign, interior space for cargo has also remained the same, giving you more than 20 cu.ft. of rear cargo room, more than 55 cu.ft. of space behind the second row, and nearly 97 cu.ft. of total cargo volume behind the front seats.

  Standard features inside the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas include heated front seats with comfortable and easily adjustable front seating, plus a leatherette steering wheel. There is a lot to like about the interior of the 2023 Atlas, but the standard infotainment display was only 6.5 inches, with an 8.0-inch screen found on higher trims. This system works very well, but we cannot help but feel like there is room for improvement (and VW clearly agreed with us). Overall, the interior of the 2023 model is excellent, but it was already starting to feel its age.

  For the 2024 Atlas, Volkswagen has addressed all criticism and delivered something truly remarkable. To start with, the seating has improved from what was previously offered: the front seats are now heated and ventilated as standard, making them ideal in all sorts of weather. You also get a heated steering wheel even on the starting trim, which is perfect for cold winter mornings. Perhaps most dramatic, however, is that a gorgeous 12.0-inch infotainment screen is now standard in all Volkswagen Atlas models; this display looks incredible and goes beautifully with the standard multi-color Digital Cockpit Pro for the driver, creating an exhilarating experience that you will look forward to each time you get behind the wheel.

The 2024 Atlas at Bud Clary Auburn Volkswagen