2018 Volkswagen Atlas Review: Unreliable Midsize SUV With Expensive Mechanical Problems

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas lasts around 150,000 miles with some serious engine and radiator issues reported. At $18,725 to $32,590, it’s cheap, but not worth buying when you’ll spend thousands on parts and labor to fix it when it breaks down.

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas a Good Used SUV?

• Overall Rating 7/10 – 2018 is a bad year for the Volkswagen Atlas since it has more engine issues than other years. Owner reviews complain about A/C system issues, expensive repair bills, and a lot of noise.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are pretty nice for an SUV in its price range, the seats are very comfortable, cargo space is also great for its size.
• Reliability 6/10 – There are a lot of engine and general build-quality problems reported on the 2018 Atlas, making it one to avoid. Models from 2020–2022 are more reliable.
• Performance 6/10 – Performance is poor from both of the engine choices, which are weaker than many competitors.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2018 Atlas is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with a rearview camera, while adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist are optional upgrades.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 24 MPG, giving 446 miles of range from the 18.6 gallon tank. Gas costs are $18 cheaper than average at $245 per month.
• Value 7/10 – The 2018 VW Atlas is cheaper than some other midsize SUVs, although rapid depreciation makes it a bad value as it ages.

What Do Critics Say About the VW Atlas?

• Consumer Reports says the 2018 VW Atlas puts size and functionality at the forefront with its new design, but has only average owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Atlas at 3.4/5, enjoying the comfortable suspension on rough roads, but doesn’t like the slow acceleration.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the VW Atlas a 3.9/5, praising the easy accessibility to the third row, but owners don’t like the weak 3.6L engine.

What Common Problems Does the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas Have?

Common problems found on the 2018 VW Atlas include the engine stalling, coolant leaks, along with excessive wind noise in the cabin. Overall, these problems are worse than a lot of other midsize SUVs on the market, leading to more expensive repair costs as the Atlas ages.

The engine stalling is the most widespread complaint on the 2018 VW Atlas, showing up in the first 5,000 miles. There are a lot of engine sensor issues which cause the engine to have an incorrect air to fuel ratio, and stall while driving. Replacing sensors can cost $150 to $500 per sensor, depending on the source of the issue. You can usually diagnose the sensor that has failed by using an OBD-II scan tool.

Coolant leaks are another serious problem found on the 2018 Atlas at around 25,000 miles. There are several sources for the leaks including faulty radiator cores, blown gaskets on the engine, along with damaged coolant lines. Replacing the radiator costs over $1,000, gaskets cost around $1,200 to change, and coolant lines cost around $400 to swap out.

Excessive wind noise is also mentioned by 2018 Atlas owners within the first 1,000 miles. There are a lot of window and door seals that fail, letting in a lot of noise while driving. Replacing the seals can cost $300 to $750, depending on which seal has failed.

There are 16 recalls on the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, which is much worse than nearly any other midsize SUV on the market. The most serious recall covers insufficient coating on the brake caliper pistons, which can lead to a loss of brake force. VW will replace the calipers on affected models for free. Other serious recalls include fuel leaks, the A/C drain tube clogging, along with the rear springs fracturing.

How Long Will the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas Last?

A well-maintained 2018 VW Atlas may last around 150,000 miles before it becomes too expensive to keep running, which is much shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Highlander. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than other SUVs as well, at $635 per year, according to data provided by Repair Pal.

As a used 2018 Atlas reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history owners should be prepared to replace the axle shaft seals for $355, coolant reservoir costing $750, along with the A/C condenser which costs $950.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is pretty good with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Optional upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen along with a more powerful stereo system.

Standard safety technology is pretty basic for an SUV from 2018, only offering a rearview camera.

Optional driver assistance features include:

• Blind spot monitoring
• Forward collision warning
• Brake assist
• Lane keep assist
• Parallel park assist
• 360-degree parking camera system
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Automatic high beam headlights

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas a Good Value?

No, the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is not a good value since it has more problems than other years, making it an SUV that shoppers should avoid. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $18,725 to $32,590, making it less than a Honda Pilot or Jeep Grand Cherokee. When new, the price range was $30,750 to $48,740. Depreciation is worse than some other midsize SUVs, losing about 15% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the VW Atlas?

There are five main models of the VW Atlas offered, from the entry-level S, through to the more luxurious SEL Premium. The Atlas comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available as an optional upgrade.

S is the entry-level model with:

• Cloth seating
• Second-row bench seat
• LED headlights
• Dual-zone manual climate control
• Power mirrors
• Rearview camera
• Cruise control
• 5-inch touchscreen interface
• Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity
• Limited run Atlas S Launch models offer a V6 engine
• Panoramic sunroof (in Launch models)
• HomeLink programmable garage door opener (in Launch models)
• 8-inch touchscreen with satellite radio (in Launch models)

SE is a step up adding:

• Simulated leather upholstery
• Push-button start
• Automatic headlights
• Power driver seat
• Heated front seats
• Rear sunshades
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Larger 8-inch touchscreen interface
• Option of captain’s chairs in the second row

SE w/Technology offers upgrades including:

• Remote engine start
• Automatic three-zone climate control
• Power rear liftgate
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keeping assist
• Automatic emergency braking

SEL is next in the lineup, adding:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Power-adjustable front passenger seats
• Park distance control
• Optional black 20-inch wheels
• Optional R-Line appearance package

SEL Premium is the luxury model with:

• Volkswagen Digital Cockpit
• LED tail lights
• Full leather seating
• Upgraded touchscreen display with navigation
• Parking assist system
• Optional 20-inch black wheels
• R-Line package not available

What Engines Come In the VW Atlas?

• The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas offers two engine choices. The first is a 2.0L Turbocharged Four-Cylinder engine that delivers 235 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft of torque at up to 24 MPG. It comes with an 8-Speed Automatic transmission, and can tow up to 2,000 lbs. This engine takes around 7.9 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph.
• The second option is a more powerful 3.6L V6 engine, which generates 276 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft of torque at up to 19 MPG. It also comes paired with an 8-Speed Automatic transmission. This engine offers a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs when properly equipped, and it goes from 0-60 mph in about 7.2 seconds.

What Colors Does the VW Atlas Come In?

How Comfortable Is the VW Atlas?

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is highly appreciated for its comfortable ride quality and spacious interior. This midsize SUV provides comfort on the road by offering a smooth and stable ride, even on rough surfaces, thanks to its fine-tuned suspension system. Its precise steering and strong brakes add to the overall comfort and safety of the driving experience.

One of the key highlights of the Atlas is its generous interior space. It offers three rows of seating, which is a standout feature in its class, comfortably accommodating up to seven passengers. Even the third-row seats are quite roomy, which is a rare quality among competitors, making it suitable for adults as well as children. The first and second-row seats are praised for their ample legroom and headroom, providing a pleasant ride even for taller passengers.

In terms of seat comfort, the Atlas offers well-padded and supportive seats, with the front seats featuring power-adjustable settings for added convenience. Higher trims even offer heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, providing additional comfort in various weather conditions.

How Much Storage Space Does the VW Atlas Have?

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is a well-acclaimed midsize SUV, known for its spacious interior, that easily accommodates passenger and cargo needs. It comes with three rows of seating, providing ample space for a comfortable ride, and the generous cargo capacity makes it a practical choice for larger families or those in need of significant storage space.

Regarding specifics, the 2018 Atlas provides 20.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row. This is enough space to carry a couple of large suitcases or a full grocery shopping haul. If you need more room for bigger items, you can fold down the third row and expand the cargo space to a substantial 55.5 cubic feet. This allows room for larger items such as a bicycle or a set of golf clubs.

For the most significant cargo requirements, the second and third rows can be folded down to open up a cavernous 96.8 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. This gives you enough room to haul large items such as furniture, a kayak, or even move a small studio’s worth of items.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The first generation of the Volkswagen Atlas was introduced for the 2018 model year.

2018: First model year for the Volkswagen Atlas, replaces the VW Touareg as the largest VW SUV.

2019: More trim levels introduced with additional features.

2020: Standard Car-Net communications with Wi-Fi hotspot, minor changes to package availability.

2021: Minor exterior body changes, and some upgraded interior materials.

2022: Base S model no longer offered, small changes to standard features.

How Does the VW Atlas Compare to the Competition?

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas is a very bad midsize SUV since it has a ton of problems compared to the competition, and it’s also worse than other years of the Atlas, making it one buyers should avoid.

The Toyota Highlander is another midsize SUV which costs around $2,500 more. Standard safety technology is better in the Toyota Highlander, while the VW Atlas offers more passenger room in the rear seats. We recommend the Toyota Highlander since it is a much more reliable SUV, making it worth the extra cost.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a competitor which can be found for about $1,500 more. Performance is much better in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, while the Volkswagen Atlas offers a higher quality interior. We recommend the Jeep Grand Cherokee since they last longer with fewer mechanical issues reported.

Do Owners Recommend the Volkswagen Atlas?