There’s definitely no shortage of three-row midsize SUVs in the market nowadays, as pretty much every automaker and their pet has one. You get the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride Korean duo.
From $30,895, though, you could also have a base Volkswagen Atlas. KBB’s long-term tester came in the top-of-the-line SEL Premium spec, accented by a few options, which boost the price to $49,665. Mind you, that’s about $4,000 short of the entry-level Audi Q7, but then again, this is a lot of car for the money.
Watch: Kia Telluride Faces Subaru Ascent And VW Atlas In Three-Row SUV Comparo
The VW Atlas’ interior, even in V6 SEL Premium trim, is a no-frills affair
For motivation, you will find a 2.0-liter turbo-four that produces 235 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque, although the upper specs come with a 3.6-liter V6 that kicks out 276 hp and 266 lb-ft (361 Nm). The latter unit provides enough punch for your daily commute, yet there is room for improvement. Luckily, the steering is sharp, but the turning circle does not win that many points.
During its stay in KBB’s garage, the Atlas was a good all-round performer, with a spacious cabin, even on the third-row, and easy-to-use infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The host of safety systems was mostly praised and the real-world fuel economy was not bad either.
At the end of the 12 months, the odometer read 19,879 miles (31,992 km), and apart from a $280 service bill, they only spent money on gas. But was it a wise investment to hold on to Volkswagen’s big SUV for one year? You know what to do to find out.