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2018 Volkswagen Atlas: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is an all-new model and the first year of the first-generation Atlas. Its headline change is the debut of Volkswagen’s U.S.-focused three-row midsize SUV.
About the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
1st generation Atlas (2018-2023), first model year before the 2021 refresh.
Volkswagen positioned the Atlas as a family SUV made specifically for the U.S. market: roomy, practical, and easy to live with, but still more tidy and straightforward inside than many rivals. Its main draw is real three-row usefulness, strong cargo space, simple controls, and available AWD, not flashy styling. In Volkswagen’s lineup it filled the gap between Tiguan and Touareg, giving families a true seven-seat SUV with a more polished on-road feel than many mainstream competitors.
Volkswagen positioned the 2018 Atlas as a roomy family SUV with seven seats, easy third-row access, LED headlights, and smartphone integration throughout the lineup. The S keeps things simple, the SE with Technology adds family-friendly safety and convenience features, and the SEL Premium 4Motion tops the range with a digital instrument display, navigation, premium audio, leather seating, and AWD.
What changed, by category
Structural
The Chattanooga-built Atlas launches as an entirely new three-row midsize SUV with standard seven-passenger seating and easy third-row access.
Powertrain
The debut lineup uses either a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a V6, paired with an 8-speed automatic. V6 models include front-wheel-drive and 4Motion all-wheel-drive versions.
Styling
LED headlights and LED daytime running lights are standard throughout the 2018 lineup.
Safety
Upper trims bring features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure assistance.
Tech
Every trim has smartphone integration. Screen sizes range from 6.5 inches on the S to 8 inches on higher trims, while the SEL Premium 4Motion adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, navigation, and premium audio.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas specs and features by trim
| Feature | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic | Automatic, 8-Spd & Tiptronic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 18–22 mpg | 18–22 mpg | 18–22 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 18–22 mpg | 18 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg | 17 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 25–26 mpg | 25–26 mpg | 25–26 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 25–26 mpg | 25 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Horsepower | 235–276 hp | 235–276 hp | 235–276 hp | 276 hp | 276 hp | 276 hp | 235–276 hp | 276 hp | 276 hp | 276 hp | 276 hp |
| Torque | 258–266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in |
| Seats | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | |||||||||||
| Alarm System | |||||||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | |||||||||||
| Automatic Headlights | |||||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | |||||||||||
| Cruise Control | |||||||||||
| Hill Descent Control | |||||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | |||||||||||
| Park Assist | |||||||||||
| Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers | |||||||||||
| Rear Parking Sensors | |||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | |||||||||||
| 360 Camera | |||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | |||||||||||
| Fog Lights | |||||||||||
| Heated Mirrors | |||||||||||
| LED Headlights | |||||||||||
| LED Tail Lights | |||||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | |||||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | |||||||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | |||||||||||
| Roof Rails | |||||||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | |||||||||||
| AM/FM Radio | |||||||||||
| Premium Audio | |||||||||||
| Satellite Radio | |||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | |||||||||||
| Subwoofer | |||||||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | |||||||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | |||||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | |||||||||||
| Heated Front Seats | |||||||||||
| Heated Rear Seats | |||||||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | |||||||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | |||||||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | |||||||||||
| Leather Seats | |||||||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | |||||||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | |||||||||||
| Power Driver Seat | |||||||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | |||||||||||
| Rear Window Shades | |||||||||||
| Remote Start | |||||||||||
| Third Row Seat | |||||||||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | |||||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | |||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
Is 2018 the first model year for the Volkswagen Atlas?
Yes. The 2018 Atlas is the model’s first year and the start of its first generation, which continued through 2023.
What engines are in the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas?
The 2018 Atlas lineup has either a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 3.6-liter V6. Both engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas have all-wheel drive?
Yes. Some 2018 Atlas V6 models use Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system; four-cylinder versions are front-wheel drive.
Which 2018 Atlas trims have the more advanced safety features?
The SE with Technology trims include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure assistance. The regular SE also has blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
What is special about the 2018 Atlas SEL Premium 4Motion?
The SEL Premium 4Motion is the luxury-and-tech trim for 2018. It combines a V6 and AWD with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, navigation, premium audio, leather seating, an overhead-view camera, and parking steering assistance.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas.
4.3
2018 Volkswagen Atlas
(451 reviews)
“Love the vehicle. Unsure about longevity and overall quality but great warranty. Only issue is front sensors go off all the time.”
“Very happy with the purchase of our VW Atlas. Very roomy and comfortable, easy to drive and versatile. The actual car has exceeded our expectations.”