Volkswagen Atlas Specs: 235 HP & Tows Up to 2,000 Pounds

Catrina C
Feb 26, 2021

Gray 2020 Volkswagen Atlas In Motion

There are many people who love to buy from Volkswagen, and if you’re one of them, then you may be interested in learning more about the Volkswagen Atlas specs and the latest SUV produced by the company. With multiple trims and customizations available, it’s an interesting buy.

What Volkswagen Atlas specs should you know about?

The Volkswagen Atlas specs that you need to know include that the base model for 2020 has:

  • The 2.0L TSI I engine
  • 235 horsepower
  • 258 lb-ft.
  • A towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds

The Volkswagen Atlas has generally positive reviews and is a unique SUV to buy compared to much of what’s on the road today. In this article, we’ll go over all you need to know about this vehicle.

Get to Know the Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is a German-manufactured vehicle. It is the largest model produced by Volkswagen and was developed primarily for the Chinese and North American markets.

The Volkswagen Atlas won the MotorWeek Driver’s Choice Award in 2018 and 2019. It was also named the Cars.com 2020 Family Car of the Year.

The vehicle starts at a price of $31,565 in the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Trim, but there are so many trims that the price can vary significantly from one to the other. Some models can be as much as $39,000, especially if you want all-wheel drive.

At Volkswagen, it’s actually possible to completely customize the vehicle. There are at least 15 trim levels to choose from, which you can take a look at here.

The Volkswagen Atlas: Important Specifications to Note

The Volkswagen Atlas does have some important specifications to note. You will see that it has an impressive 2.0L TSI I engine that comes with 258 lb-ft. and 235 horsepower. This allows the vehicle to pull up to 2,000 pounds thanks to its weight and towing capacity. Its payload capacity is 1,091 pounds.

For people who like to go on long trips, fuel efficiency is key. This model gets 21 mpg in the city and up to 24 on the highway, so it’s relatively efficient for a standard gas-powered SUV.

It does have a large fuel capacity of up to 18.6 gallons of fuel, so even considering the lower mpg rating, you should be able to travel a good distance without stopping to refuel. When you’re ready to speed up to get on the highway, your vehicle will go from 0 to 60 in 7.2 seconds.

The vehicle’s transmission is an 8-speed automatic with overdrive, which makes it easier to drive without worrying about manual shifting. It seats up to five and has up to 77.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity inside the vehicle.

At the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, you’ll note that this vehicle has no recalls on the 2020 model and has a five-star overall safety rating. Forward collision warning comes standard, but if you want lane departure warning, that will have to be added on.

The Notable Specifications of the Volkswagen Atlas

There are some additional specifications of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas that you may be interested in.

For example, the interior of the base sport model includes front bucket seats with six-way manual front seats, 60-40 folding split-bench rear seats, a locking glove box and front and rear cup holders.

You may also appreciate the outside temperature gauge and concealed cargo storage area that keeps the interior looking neat.

If you’re focused on entertainment, the base model comes with the capability for VW Car-Net services, Bluetooth connectivity, the capability for in-vehicle 4G LTE enabled Wi-Fi and a 6.5-inch touchscreen radio.

The exterior has deep tinted glass for better privacy and sun protection, rain-detecting wipers, and a fixed rear window with a wiper and defroster.

Safety features include electronic stability control, ABS and Driveline traction control, blind-spot monitoring, dual-stage front airbags, side curtain airbags in the first and second rows and power rear child safety locks. There is also a backup camera for those who appreciate seeing behind them more clearly when backing or parking.

The Pros and Cons of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas

There are some pros and cons that you may appreciate knowing about when you’re looking at the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas.

Some of the positives that people love include that:

  • It has a spacious second row for cargo or passengers
  • It has a massive cargo space
  • You can select from around 15 different trims with various options
  • It has coupe-inspired styling

Some of the downsides of the Volkswagen Atlas include:

  • That it can get expensive once you reach higher trim levels
  • The fuel economy is just okay, nothing great
  • The trims don’t look very different despite alternative features

These positives and negatives may be what you need to know to decide if you want to purchase this vehicle. You can use them to compare the 2019/2020 Acura RDX to other compact-luxury SUVs and see if it’s the right fit for you.

Vehicle History Has More Information About the Atlas

If you’re ready to own a vehicle with the German engineering you love, then a Volkswagen Atlas might be the right choice for you. Learn more about the specs by researching them here at Vehicle History.

avatar Catrina C
Catrina C. is a former auto auction block clerk and current freelance automotive industry writer. She enjoys writing, taking long trips in her Ford and providing solid automotive advice.
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