Atlas

Make
Volkswagen
Segment
SUV

The facelifted 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was shown off at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, sporting the same fresh face first seen on the Atlas Cross Sport. This new 2021 model may look similar to the outgoing one, but it actually sits three inches longer due to its new front and rear bumpers. Other changes include a new three-bar grille design, a more aggressive R-Line package, and the simplified VW logo. At the time, we didn't know what customers would have to pay for the new Atlas. That all changes today.

VW has just revealed pricing for the 2021 Atlast and there is plenty of good news across the board. For starters, the starting price of $31,545 (plus a $1,020 delivery fee) has been left unchanged from the 2020 model. Even though the 2021 model hasn't increased its price and certain trims only see a minor price increase, it does offer more safety technology across the range.

All Atlas trim levels now include Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Rear Traffic Alert while Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist) also becomes a standard feature for 2021. The base engine option is still a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 235 horsepower going out through an eight-speed automatic to front-wheel-drive or available 4Motion AWD for $1,900.

The 276 hp 3.6-liter V6 is also available with either FWD or AWD still mated to an eight-speed box. For 2021, VW has made the four-cylinder engine available on except the top trim level while the V6 is available on the SE with Technology trim and above.

This means the least expensive V6-powered Atlas you can buy with a SE with Technology FWD for $38,295 while the most expensive Atlas trim is the SEL Premium R-Line, which starts at $50,695 and includes the V6 with 4Motion. As with last year's model, the Atlas is not the least expensive model in its segment, being undercut by the Kia Telluride, Honda Pilot, and Hyundai Palisade among others. But it is less expensive than the top Highlander Hybrid and certain versions of the Ford Explorer.