Volkswagen's new Atlas, a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), is drawing attention as a family car that could replace a minivan. The vehicle offers a seat configuration that can mount multiple car seats at the same time—essential for large families—along with a generous interior and towing capacity of more than 2.2 tons (t).
According to the industry on the 29th, the Atlas was recently named to Cars.com's "2025 Best Cars for Car Seats." Cars.com analyzed the ease and safety of installing car seats in all passenger cars, SUVs, and minivans released in the U.S. market and assigned ratings.
The Atlas is offered in six- or seven-seat models, and depending on the number of occupants, up to five car seats can be installed simultaneously. In the seven-seat model, three car seats can be installed at the same time in the second row, and the third row can also accommodate a booster seat or an infant/toddler car seat using the seat belt and anchors.
A Volkswagen official said, "The Atlas not only has a family-friendly configuration suitable for large families, but it is also a full-size SUV with class-leading interior space, comparable to a minivan, that handles everything from daily life to leisure without issue," adding, "The ample space is handy for outdoor activities as well as when carrying various cargo."
Among full-size SUVs sold in the Korean market, the Atlas has the longest overall length at 5,095 mm. It is 1,990 mm wide and 1,780 mm tall. Trunk capacity is 583 liters (L) as standard, 1,572 L with the third row folded, and up to 2,735 L with both the second and third rows folded.
A towing device (trailer hitch) also comes standard. For typical passenger cars, installing a towing device requires complex modifications and structural changes, and the expense is high, but the Atlas can tow various trailers and caravans in stock form without separate procedures.
The factory towing device installed on the Atlas has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds (about 2,268 kg), enough to pull a large caravan. The maximum tongue weight is 500 pounds (about 227 kg), making it capable of leisure activities such as towing motorboats and jet skis.
It is also equipped with various advanced convenience and safety features. A 12-inch infotainment system enables control of major functions and systems, and an Area View that aids parking even in tight spaces comes standard. It also features a panoramic sunroof and remote start.
Last year, the Atlas proved its safety by being selected as a "Top Safety Pick" in crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Volkswagen's latest "IQ.DRIVE" system is onboard, enabling the use of advanced driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, Travel Assist that helps with acceleration, braking, and steering during long-distance driving, and blind-spot monitoring.
The vehicle was released in a single 2.0 TSI 4MOTION R-Line trim, with prices varying by seat configuration. ▲ R-Line seven-seater 67,701,000 won ▲ R-Line six-seater 68,486,000 won. Customers who sell their current vehicle via trade-in can receive up to 2 million won in benefits, and customers who already own a Volkswagen and purchase the new Atlas can receive a 1 million won loyalty benefit.