Volkswagen has published three design sketches previewing the updated 2021 Atlas.
The German car manufacturer’s big SUV is selling well in the United States, and for the 2021 model year will be three inches longer due to the presence of a new bumper designed for improved pedestrian safety. Alongside extending the front bumper outwards, Volkswagen has overhauled the SUV’s front fascia to make it sportier and reminiscent of the current Atlas Cross Sport.
Most notably, the chunky headlights of the current Atlas have been ditched in favor of slimmer LED units with LED daytime running lights that are neatly incorporated and line-up perfectly with the revised grille. At the rear, the styling modifications are less obvious and appear limited to a revised chrome accent connecting the taillights and a new reflector running across the width of the bumper.
Related: Canada’s 2020 VW Atlas And Atlas Cross Sport Getting Standard AWD, 2.0T Models Included
No interior images or sketches of the new Atlas have been released just yet, but Autoblog says it will sport a new leather steering wheel with a flat bottom and all variants, bar the base version, will feature an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. Other changes include some added stitching throughout the cabin, wireless phone charging and updated driving technologies including Dynamic Road Sign Detection and Traffic Jam Assist.
No alterations will be made to the engine line-up. Consequently, the 2021 Atlas will be available with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder putting out 235 hp and 258 lb-ft (349 Nm) and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm).
Volkswagen is expected to unveil the 2021 Atlas at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show and should kick off sales in May next year.
![](https://www.carscoops.com/wp-content/themes/carscoops/assets/images/icons/arrow.png"){kind=icon}