“Other than some glitches with the electronics that is in the process of being fixed, vehicle is great.”
2021 Volkswagen Atlas: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for 2021 is a mid-cycle refresh for the three-row Volkswagen Atlas, with revised styling inside and out. The turbo four-cylinder also gains an AWD pairing, while the Atlas Cross Sport is mostly unchanged.
About the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
1st-generation Atlas family. For the three-row Atlas, 2021 is the mid-cycle refresh year; for the Atlas Cross Sport, 2021 is the second model year of the same first-generation family.
Volkswagen positions the Atlas family as a roomy, American-focused midsize SUV line built around space, easy everyday use, and simple tech. The regular Atlas is the practical three-row choice for families who need real passenger room, while the Atlas Cross Sport trades the third row for a sleeker two-row shape. Versus many rivals, the Atlas family’s standout traits are cabin space, easy child-seat fitment, straightforward controls, and a broad trim ladder that ranges from basic family transport to near-luxury comfort.
The 2021 Atlas family spans the practical seven-seat Atlas and the sleeker five-seat Atlas Cross Sport. The SE focuses on everyday comfort with heated front seats, synthetic leather, and a power liftgate, while SEL trims add upscale touches such as a panoramic sunroof, digital gauges, and navigation. At the top, SEL Premium models bring leather, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a surround-view camera.
What changed, by category
Styling
The three-row Atlas gets a bolder, Cross Sport-inspired front end, revised rear styling, and updated interior details. The Atlas Cross Sport does not receive a comparable redesign.
Powertrain
The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is paired with AWD in more of the Atlas range for 2021.
Tech
Later 2021.5 Atlas builds and SE-and-up Atlas Cross Sport trims move to Volkswagen’s newer MIB3 touchscreen system with wireless smartphone integration and USB-C ports.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 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 | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter / V6, 3.6 Liter | V6, 3.6 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 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 |
| 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 | 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 | FWD | AWD | FWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | FWD | AWD | FWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | 17–18 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 17–18 mpg | 16–20 mpg | 17–21 mpg | 18–21 mpg | 16–17 mpg | 16–20 mpg | 17 mpg | 16–20 mpg | 18 mpg | 17–20 mpg | 16–17 mpg | 16 mpg | 17 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | 23 mpg | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | 23 mpg | 22–24 mpg | 23–24 mpg | 23–24 mpg | 22–23 mpg | 22–24 mpg | 23 mpg | 22–24 mpg | 23 mpg | 23–24 mpg | 22–23 mpg | 22 mpg | 23 mpg |
| Horsepower | 235 hp | 235 hp | 276 hp | 235 hp | 235 hp | 276 hp | 235–276 hp | 235–276 hp | 235–276 hp | 276 hp | 235–276 hp | 276 hp | 235–276 hp | 276 hp | 235–276 hp | 276 hp | 276 hp | 276 hp |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 258–266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft | 266 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 2000 lb | 2000 lb | 5000 lb | 2000–5000 lb | 2000–5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb | 5000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 77.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 77.8 cu-ft | 77.8 cu-ft | 77.8–96.8 cu-ft | 96.8 cu-ft | 77.8 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7 in | 40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7 in | 33.7 in | 40.4 in | 40.4 in | 33.7–40.4 in | 33.7 in | 40.4 in |
| Seats | 5–7 | 5–7 | 5–7 | 5–7 | 5–7 | 5–7 | 5–7 | 7 | 5 | 5–7 | 5–7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5–7 | 7 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||||||||||||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||||||||||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||||||||||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cruise Control | ||||||||||||||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||||||||||||||
| Hill Descent Control | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||||||||||||||
| Park Assist | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||||||||||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||||||||||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||||||||||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||||||||||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||||||||||||||
| Panorama Moon Roof | ||||||||||||||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||||||||||||||||
| Power Liftgate/Trunk Release | ||||||||||||||||||
| Privacy Glass | ||||||||||||||||||
| Roof Rails | ||||||||||||||||||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||||||||||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||||||||||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||||||||||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||||||||||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||||||||||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||||||||||||||
| 115V Power Outlet | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dual Power Front Seats | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tri-Zone Automatic Air Conditioning | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ventilated Front Seats | ||||||||||||||||||
Frequently asked questions
How is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas different from the 2020 model?
The 2021 three-row Atlas has refreshed front and rear styling, revised cabin details, and broader AWD use with the turbo four-cylinder. Later 2021.5 builds also receive Volkswagen’s newer touchscreen system with wireless smartphone integration and USB-C ports.
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas a full redesign?
No. The 2021 Atlas is a mid-cycle update of the first-generation model, not a full redesign. Its main revisions are refreshed styling, cabin updates, broader turbo-four AWD availability, and a later infotainment upgrade.
Does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas pair the turbo four-cylinder with AWD?
Yes. For 2021, Volkswagen pairs the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with AWD in more of the Atlas range, expanding beyond the previous powertrain combinations.
Did every 2021 Volkswagen Atlas get the newer MIB3 touchscreen system?
No. The newer MIB3 system applies to later 2021.5 Atlas builds and SE-and-up Atlas Cross Sport trims. It brings wireless smartphone integration and USB-C ports.
Did the 2021 Atlas Cross Sport receive the same refresh as the three-row Atlas?
No. The three-row Atlas receives the major styling refresh for 2021, while the Atlas Cross Sport remains largely unchanged mechanically. Its notable update is the newer infotainment system on SE-and-up trims.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas.
4.0
2021 Volkswagen Atlas
(248 reviews)
“Great look, performance and tech - a cost effective alternative to lambo sub and Audi q8”
“Love the roominess, comfort of the ride, and look outside the vehicle. I only miss having a drink holder on second row in the middle of seat. The third row seating is Great!!! 5'9 person can get back there with ease and comfort.”