Volkswagen has revealed its big mid-life update Atlas and Atlas Cross Sports crossover at the 2023 Chicago motor show in the US.
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport will be launched in the US early in the third quarter of this year, although they are not on the cards for an Australian launch anytime soon.
“The Atlas remains a US-focused model produced exclusively in left-hand drive,” a Volkswagen Australia spokesperson said.
“Volkswagen Australia has no plans to add to our important SUV line-up of the T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and Touareg.”
-
Atlas -
Atlas Cross Sport
The Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport were never sold domestically and join the Honda Pilot, Subaru Ascent, Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride as left-hand drive crossovers only.
If they are sold locally, they will compete with the Hyundai Palisade, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mazda CX-9 and Nissan Pathfinder.
Volkswagen has discontinued the 3.6-litre VR6 engine, with the entire range now powered by 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which produces 200kW power and 370Nm of torque.
This is a similar amount of power (206kW) to the outgoing VR6 engine, and slightly less torque (361Nm).
The updated four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic, with the crossover available with either front-wheel drive or Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system.
On the outside, the updated Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport have a wide chrome four-bar grille framed by LED lights with standard Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS).
On all but entry-level trims, there are full-width light bars front and rear. There is also an illuminated VW logo on the front.
At the rear, both models have larger spoilers, with the Atlas Cross Sport model getting a more aggressive rear diffuser.
All trim levels get new wheel designs ranging from 18- to 21-inches with machined alloys and available black finishes.
Inside, there is a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster.
New features include wireless smartphone mirroring, wireless phone charging, six USB-C ports with 45W fast charging, and storage space under the center console.
There is also a heated steering wheel with paddle shift, ventilated front seats, climate control and voice control as standard.
In terms of safety, the updated Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport get the full suite of IQ.DRIVE driver assistance technology with hands-on semi-automatic capabilities now standard.
Optional features include adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.
As mentioned above, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport will not be launched in Australia anytime soon as they are only produced in left-hand drive.
Click the image to view the full gallery.