another huge selling point of the 4cyl is the tuning option. ive had vws since i started driving 20 years ago. a stage 1 tune is amazing and requires no hardware. just an ecu flash. and brings the atlas from 230hp to about 300.
just purchased a 2018 2.0t atlas. coming out of a 2020 Tiguan, we are so pleased. What Im averaging 24 mpg combined. With me driving, its 25/26. My wife's foot is heavy. great review
We have a 2021.5 with the 6 cylinder. I will say when we got it we got it with the thought we wanted the higher tow capacity. I also didn't like the questions about the reliability of the 4 cylinder. Over these couple of years it feels like the 6 has gotten better. I don't know if it's quicker than the 4 but I do think it got a little quicker than when we got it.
It has the third Gen EA-888 motor (thats the GTI motor) so a lot of refinement and previous bugs resolved. Also the 2.0 runs on regular but can use premium. I have only ever put 1 tank of premium in it . I'm VDubber on Fuelly so see what my mpg's average 27 and better on long trips. The 2.0 FWD will smoke the front tires on a take off if your not careful with throttle inputs. The 2.0 FWD will stay right with a 3.6AWD on acceleration. Stage 1 tune only will put it at 300hp and I may do that in the future but really it feels quick enough stock. The third row seats fit adults no skimping on that so 7 adults in comfort if needed(rear controls for heat/ac also. The 19 I bought has the 6yr warrantee also . Update 12,2022 I had the chance to drive a Atlas v6 with AWD for good while . A smoother engine but sluggish on acceleration and you could really feel the weight penalty of the heavier engine and AWD . If you wanted to keep up with the 2.0 you'd have to rev up the six as the torque comes on much later. The 2.0 version handles like a much smaller vehicle and snappier on throttle inputs. The v6 was only getting 18.6mpg
I was thinking 2.0L, as I've had about a half dozen audi and VW with it, and I've had them stage 1 - 2+ , probably better on gas with the same power. I don't tow much with this car. I have a truck for towing.
Any thoughts on the FWD Vs AWD? Both in terms of 1) effect on that punchy, low rpm torque you talk about. 2) is awd a practical necessity for such a large vehicle to do well in snow/rain?
I just test drive cross sport which is lighter 300 lb i guess then 3 row with 2.0. I felt it under power from starting point. You need to press the pedal harder to get going. But once get going it drive smooth. Second thing the speakers in that sound so bad. There is no fun listening to that for sure. Millage is bad if you consider other 4 cylinders. I decided to go with mdx 6 cylinder which gives same numbers plus more features. This suv is heavy so 4 cylinder is good as a cylinder but not a good idea in this kind of heavy suv. But it beats every brand out there in terms of looks and room inside. Very very strong and aggressive. Front wheel is good most of the time. Unless you are stuck in snow or mud or driving lots of uphill or towing something. But you will feel like you need to drive this awd all time coz you need the quick response. I tested it alone and then i took my family of 5 with me. With all of us i felt it little weird. That may be because i drove 6 cylinder a lot and i am not use to press the pedal so far. Coz that how this suv respond. And with this kind of habit how long this engine last i am not sure. Was very hard to decide coz i personally liked atlas over mdx. But i didnt get one vote to go with it. And i tested sel trim with 4motion. All the best.
Northern Illinois here and I get along fine . I'm rural so our roads get plowed last. I grew up with rear drives so a front drive is even better. I;ve had full time 4wd and awd with other vehickles but could get by fine without.
I would think the 4 cyl engine would be underpowered for such a big SUV compared to the 3.6 V6. I’m surprised, the 4 cyl is powerful on the road compared to the V6.
I have the 2.0 fwd and have drove the v6 awd. The v6 has the weight of the awd and heavier engine and you can definitely feel it. The 2.0 FWD feels sporty compared to the v6. The 2.0 being turboed was a much flatter torque curve and comes on strong much lower in rpm,s compared with the v6. This equates to more throttle response with the 2.0 in the rpm range these engines most operate.
@@oldmanwitherspoon Test drove both. Went home with the V6 with a 2023. I have owned a Tiguan and a CC. The CC had the same motor. Nope. V6 feels much more in tune.
another huge selling point of the 4cyl is the tuning option. ive had vws since i started driving 20 years ago. a stage 1 tune is amazing and requires no hardware. just an ecu flash. and brings the atlas from 230hp to about 300.
just purchased a 2018 2.0t atlas. coming out of a 2020 Tiguan, we are so pleased. What Im averaging 24 mpg combined. With me driving, its 25/26. My wife's foot is heavy. great review
I have a 19 with 2.0 and also get 25/26 average hand calculated. 31 on a trip last summer.
We have a 2021.5 with the 6 cylinder. I will say when we got it we got it with the thought we wanted the higher tow capacity. I also didn't like the questions about the reliability of the 4 cylinder. Over these couple of years it feels like the 6 has gotten better. I don't know if it's quicker than the 4 but I do think it got a little quicker than when we got it.
It has the third Gen EA-888 motor (thats the GTI motor) so a lot of refinement and previous bugs resolved. Also the 2.0 runs on regular but can use premium. I have only ever put 1 tank of premium in it . I'm VDubber on Fuelly so see what my mpg's average 27 and better on long trips. The 2.0 FWD will smoke the front tires on a take off if your not careful with throttle inputs. The 2.0 FWD will stay right with a 3.6AWD on acceleration. Stage 1 tune only will put it at 300hp and I may do that in the future but really it feels quick enough stock. The third row seats fit adults no skimping on that so 7 adults in comfort if needed(rear controls for heat/ac also. The 19 I bought has the 6yr warrantee also .
Update 12,2022 I had the chance to drive a Atlas v6 with AWD for good while . A smoother engine but sluggish on acceleration and you could really feel the weight penalty of the heavier engine and AWD .
If you wanted to keep up with the 2.0 you'd have to rev up the six as the torque comes on much later.
The 2.0 version handles like a much smaller vehicle and snappier on throttle inputs.
The v6 was only getting 18.6mpg
My 2018 v6 does regular 87 octane also.
I was thinking 2.0L, as I've had about a half dozen audi and VW with it, and I've had them stage 1 - 2+ , probably better on gas with the same power. I don't tow much with this car. I have a truck for towing.
Awesome review. I agree after driving both versions
Something that every review seems to leave out, the 4 cyl turbo requires premium gas. Huge cost difference.
Premium gas has a slower combustion rate, you go farther using less
No it doesn't require premium , but premium will get you a bit more power. I have a 2019
Not a requirement but VW runs way better on premium. Better for the engine life
No it doesn't. Vw recommends 87 octane. It's tuned for 87 octane. Any higher octane will not do anything to improve anything.
Now you can only get a 4 cylinder turbo charged Atlas in 2024. Personally I prefer the v6 if you do towing or slight offroading
Just bought a 2024 atlas 2.0 4 cylinder the only thing I dont like is the motor noise inside the car as your getting up to speed
And if you tune it you can get 320hp and 350tq 👌🏼
We got the 2020 SE w/Technology
2.0 4Cyl Turbo
Panoramic Roof, Captain's Seats
Absolutely LOVE IT
Any thoughts on the FWD Vs AWD? Both in terms of 1) effect on that punchy, low rpm torque you talk about. 2) is awd a practical necessity for such a large vehicle to do well in snow/rain?
I just test drive cross sport which is lighter 300 lb i guess then 3 row with 2.0. I felt it under power from starting point. You need to press the pedal harder to get going. But once get going it drive smooth. Second thing the speakers in that sound so bad. There is no fun listening to that for sure. Millage is bad if you consider other 4 cylinders. I decided to go with mdx 6 cylinder which gives same numbers plus more features. This suv is heavy so 4 cylinder is good as a cylinder but not a good idea in this kind of heavy suv. But it beats every brand out there in terms of looks and room inside. Very very strong and aggressive. Front wheel is good most of the time. Unless you are stuck in snow or mud or driving lots of uphill or towing something. But you will feel like you need to drive this awd all time coz you need the quick response. I tested it alone and then i took my family of 5 with me. With all of us i felt it little weird. That may be because i drove 6 cylinder a lot and i am not use to press the pedal so far. Coz that how this suv respond. And with this kind of habit how long this engine last i am not sure. Was very hard to decide coz i personally liked atlas over mdx. But i didnt get one vote to go with it. And i tested sel trim with 4motion. All the best.
Northern Illinois here and I get along fine . I'm rural so our roads get plowed last. I grew up with rear drives so a front drive is even better. I;ve had full time 4wd and awd with other vehickles but could get by fine without.
How did you get it to sport and boost?
I would think the 4 cyl engine would be underpowered for such a big SUV compared to the 3.6 V6. I’m surprised, the 4 cyl is powerful on the road compared to the V6.
The V6 is silky smooth but feels very underpowered to me. I agree that the 4 cylinder turbo is probably the way to go.
The 2.0t is hands down the better engine. Thats why vw ditched the v6 in 2024
anyone else see a moose face in the steering wheel?
You should know your numbers before reviewing a vehicle.
I can barely stand a 4 cyl in a compact car... no way in well would I ever consider one in a large SUV.
I have the 2.0 fwd and have drove the v6 awd.
The v6 has the weight of the awd and heavier engine and you can definitely feel it.
The 2.0 FWD feels sporty compared to the v6.
The 2.0 being turboed was a much flatter torque curve and comes on strong much lower in rpm,s compared with the v6.
This equates to more throttle response with the 2.0 in the rpm range these engines most operate.
@@oldmanwitherspoon Test drove both. Went home with the V6 with a 2023. I have owned a Tiguan and a CC. The CC had the same motor. Nope. V6 feels much more in tune.
@@HighGear7445 Also, the V6 is the same size as the 4cyl. Look up the VR6 motor. R32 didn't get it for no reason lol.
@@rcr01111 R32 had a 3.2 liter VR6 . Atlas has a 3.6 VR6cyl and the EA-888 2.0 liter 4cylinder.