2024 Volkswagen Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport gets new standard powertrain

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Shoppers in the market for a jumbo SUV which permits them the most tenuous of connections to a misspent youth filled with modified Jettas and Sciroccos will be pleased to learn that Volkswagen has blessed the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport with a mid-cycle update.

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Starting under the hood, VW has pared powertrain selection down to a single choice. Showing up for duty is a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder making 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, funneled to the ground through an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive is standard under the brand’s familiar 4Motion banner.

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Spotting a new Atlas or its Cross Sport cousin in downtown traffic will be a simple matter, thanks to new lighting signatures and a smattering of other small styling tweaks. Changes to the interior are much more thorough, with accountants loosening a few purse strings and permitting even more premium-feel materials to appear throughout the cabin. Front-row door trim now flows seamlessly into the dash panel, further pushing the space upscale.

Available ambient lighting with over two dozen colour choices is a cost-effective way to jazz up the place, pairing with what VW refers to as “backlit dash décor” which features the model name. In other words, this space can be lit up like Vegas if desired. Top-spec trims get the likes of quilted leather seats, while all hands are treated to a heated steering wheel with shift paddles peeping through the spoke, ventilated front seats, and three-zone automatic climate control. In-car storage has been given a rethink to make better use of space. Buyers are able to separate warring factions of siblings by opting for second-row captain’s chairs in some trims, for a cost of $700.

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Speaking of trims, a new Peak Edition includes unique body cladding elements, its own wheel design, all-terrain tires, and blacked-out exterior details. This playbook of slightly ruggedizing a large crossover is familiar, showing up as the Trailsport trim at Honda and the X-Line in Kia showrooms. Other trim choices on the option sheet are Comfortline, Highline, and Execline R-Line for both the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport (the Peak Edition is Atlas-only).

Canadian pricing for the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas will start at $49,995 (plus $2,050 destination) while the Atlas Cross Sport with its more sharply angled roofline sets an opening bid of $48,895. It is precisely a 10-grand walk to the top-tier Execline R-Line trims, though we expect the Peak Edition at $53,995 to be a volume seller.

The Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are expected to begin hitting Canadian dealers after Labour Day.