What’s new

• There is now only one engine choice: a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine that is more powerful.
• Some common 12-inch touchscreens and seats can be cooled or heated.
• A new trim level called Peak Edition has an off-road look.
• In 2018, the first version of Atlas came out.

Since the 2018 model year, when the Volkswagen Atlas came out, our test team has consistently ranked it as one of the top five midsize three-row SUVs. It is a great family car with a big trunk and a smooth ride. Several changes have been made to the Atlas for 2024 that should make it more appealing. The Atlas looks even better thanks to new features like front and back LED light bars, an illuminated VW logo, and a new off-road-themed Peak Edition.

In terms of worth, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is better than before. Adaptive cruise control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection, and ventilated front seats are all standard on the SE model, whereas they were all options on the previous version. Many of the Atlas’s original control buttons have been replaced by touch-sensitive buttons, which is a shame. Even though these touch-sensitive buttons look fantastic, they are harder to use while driving because you must pay more attention to ensure you press them correctly. The 2024 Atlas also does not have a volume knob.

Our new favorite three-row midsize car is the Kia Telluride. Also, the inside is bigger and more comfy than the Atlas. Another car to think about is the new Mazda CX-90. Even though it doesn’t have as much space as the Telluride or Atlas, its fun driving style and powerful engine make up for that.

What are they like to live with?

Invoice Pricing drove a Volkswagen Atlas for over 20,000 miles and a year to better understand what owning one would be like. See a complete summary of what our team did well and what they didn’t do well in the VW Atlas long-term road test evaluation from Invoice Pricing. Most of our conclusions still hold since the 2024 Atlas is from the same age as the 2018 model we used for this test.