The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SEL. |
2018 Volkswagen Atlas. |
In both base price ($42,940) and as-tested price ($44,860, with the only option being $995 for 20-inch black wheels, plus $925 destination charge), the Atlas is about seven thousand dollars more than the fully-loaded Tiguan 2.0T SEL Premium we reviewed in July.
For that money, you get an eight-speed automatic transmission, 4Motion all-wheel drive with Active Control, anti-lock brakes, anti-slip regulation and engine brake assist, electronic brake force distribution and hydraulic brake assist, electronic stability control and electronic differential lock, intelligent crash response, tire pressure monitoring, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated, foldable, power side mirrors with memory, a power tilt and slide panoramic sunroof, three-zone automatic climate control with vents for all three rows, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a heated 10-way power driver's seat with lumbar support and memory, an eight-way power passenger seat, V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces, a rear view camera system, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring, park distance control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, remote engine start and keyless access, an eight-speaker sound system, remote power liftgate and a HomeLink integrated garage door opener.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas SEL interior. |
With kids grown, but one grandchild born and (perhaps, presumably and please) more to come, I'm in that odd middle. Tiguan for what is now or Atlas for what the future may bring? As good as the Tiguan is, if I were playing with my own money, I'd go for the Atlas. Call it future-proofing.