The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in 2018 as an all-new vehicle in the VW lineup, and received a major refresh in 2024. It is a three-row midsize SUV that competes with the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot, the Hyundai Palisade, the Kia Telluride, and the Toyota Grand Highlander. For 2026, it will have five trims: SE, SE with Technology, Peak Edition, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line.
2026 Volkswagen Atlas Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas got a major refresh in 2024 with design tweaks to the exterior, a new turbo engine, and the addition of the Peak Edition trim. In 2025 we saw wireless charging become standard, R-Line upgrades, and some new exterior paint colors. The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas is largely a carry over, with the only change being that the SE with Technology trim and above receive a factory installed HomeLink mirror.
Design
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas has an upright stance with strong horizontal lines. Roof rails are standard, and the Peak Edition gets a more rugged front fascia and underbody cladding. Standard wheels are 18 inches, with 20- and 21-inch wheels available as you level up in trims. The SE with Technology trim does offer a Black Wheel Package ($595), but otherwise there aren’t any appearance packages offered on the 2026 Atlas.
Powertrain
There is just one engine option for the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, and it’s a 269-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Front-wheel drive is standard on the SE and SE with Technology, with all-wheel drive being a $1,900 option. Starting at the Peak Edition, all-wheel drive is standard. The SE trim has a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 pounds when equipped with an aftermarket hitch and trailer brake, but starting at the SE with Technology, a trailer hitch is standard and can tow up to 5,000 pounds. FWD models have a city/highway/combined fuel economy of 20/26/22 mpg. AWD models get 19/26/21 mpg for SE and SE with Technology models, 18/25/21 mpg for SEL and SEL Premium R-Line models, and 18/25/20 mpg for Peak Edition models.
Interior
As a three-row SUV, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas seats up to seven. Captain’s chairs with six-passenger seating are a $695 option starting on the SE with Technology trim. Leatherette seating surfaces are standard as are heated-and-ventilated front seats. Leather seats are available with upper trims, as are heated rear seats. A panoramic sunroof is available starting at the SE with Technology trim. The Atlas offers 20.6 cu-ft of cargo space behind the third row, and 55.5 cu-ft with second and third rows folded down.
Technology
The Volkswagen Atlas offers a lot of standard technology starting with the 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital gauge cluster, wireless phone charging, and six USB-C charging ports. Available technology includes remote start, a hands-free power liftgate, illuminated exterior emblems, adjustable ambient lighting, and a head-up display. On the SEL Premium R-Line, you’ll also get features such as massaging front seats, a 360-degree camera, and Harmon Kardon premium audio system.
Safety
Standard safety features on the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas include an automatic post-collision braking system, lane centering, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop and go capability, automatic high beams, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available safety features include parking sensors, road sign readers, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made the Atlas a 2024 Top Safety Pick with mostly good crash test ratings, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Atlas an overall five-Star safety rating.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas is expected to go on sale in the fall of 2025. Though pricing hadn’t been announced for the 2026 models at the time of writing, prices are expected to increase slightly, and some outlets are projecting a starting price of $41,000. The base price for the 2025 SE is $39,625, and the SEL Premium R-Line starts at $54,630.
