When my wife and I decided to sacrifice our integrity and shop for an SUV, we narrowed it down to the 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan and Subaru Forester (unfortunately, the Mazda CX-5 was a bit tight in the rear). The Volkswagen Atlas was not on our radar, but I did appreciate its somewhat cartoonish looks paired with its possibly cartoonish name. It’s appeared long in the tooth for quite a while already, so it’s refreshing to hear that a new-gen Atlas is coming for 2027.
To the Atlas’ credit, the Atlas Cross Sport (introduced around the same time we were shopping) brought the model better looks, though at the expense of utility. While looks are subjective, I’m a fan of manufacturers spending the money on an interesting, compromised variation in the face of bean counters. In fact, there are automobiles throughout history that have had variations that have absorbed their respective hosts (as we’ve learned with the Pontiac Trans Sport Montana and Subaru Legacy Outback), though that did not happen with the Atlas.
Over the years, with several facelifts, the Volkswagen Atlas has lost its edge, settling in the role of benign, inoffensive SUV. This is anathema for enthusiasts (with the Jetta reflecting similar moves). Considering Volkswagen’s fumble with the ID. Buzz, it’s high time for an injection of something more interesting. Is the 2027 Atlas it?
Truth be told, the second-generation Volkswagen Atlas was launched in 2025 in the Chinese market (though known as the Teramont Pro), so it’s already an entity of sorts. For the North American market, the redesigned Atlas will be introduced at the New York Auto Show on April 3, 2026. Volkswagen has started to tease us with previews of what North Americans can expect to find in dealerships. The design language has moved onto something new — look at the new Tiguan to get an idea in the flesh. Ho-hum? A little bit, but definitely something more gee-whiz.
According to Car and Driver magazine, power will come from a variation of the EA888 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that should make around 270 horsepower. However, it’s the interior where Volkswagen has been strutting its stuff thanks to ambient lighting and the latest in full-width screening.
If an injection of style is a box that still needs to be checked, never fear because the Cross Sport will be coming a little later. Pricing for either has not been released, though the current Atlas ranges from $40,785 to $56,105.
(Interesting trivia: Nissan previously used the Atlas name.)
