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With a more athletic design and impressive interior materials, the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas seems like a nice improvement over its predecessor. But as we learned today, the automaker plans to charge more for the changes, with a starting price of $41,600 plus $1,525 destination. The outgoing Atlas starts at $39,300 plus $1,475 destination, meaning Volkswagen has raised prices by $2,350 total. For bargain hunters, the Subaru Ascent, Hyundai Palisade, and Kia Telluride look even more attractive than before.
Higher Price, More Standard Equipment
That said, the $43,125 2027 VW Atlas somewhat justifies its price increase via lots and lots of standard equipment. The base SE model now includes front and rear park distance control (formerly limited to the SE with Technology trim and above), as well as a new dual wireless charger in the center console and larger displays for both the gauge cluster (10.1 inches) and the center touchscreen (12.9 inches). A power tailgate with hands-free access is also standard. All-wheel drive is a $2,000 option.
The 2027 SE with Technology trim starts at $47,125 with destination, up $1,920 over the same trim last year. Again, all-wheel drive is a $2,000 option. It gets 20-inch wheels instead of 18s, and the infotainment display measures 15.0 inches. The towing capacity also rises from 2,000 to 5,000 pounds, making the SE Tech trim the cheapest option for most trailer owners. It also includes greater use of 10-color ambient lighting inside, as well as illuminated VW logos and more sophisticated daytime running lights outside.
The SEL R-Line brings Volkswagen's signature sporty styling trim to the 2027 Atlas for $53,635, an upcharge of $2,540 from the R-Line–less SEL trim last year. For that money, the VW shopper gets standard all-wheel drive, a panoramic sunroof, projector-style LED headlights, heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats, and genuine leather upholstery. It also gets more aggressive bumpers, a distinctive set of 20-inch wheels, and 30-color ambient lighting inside.
At the top of the heap is the SEL Premium R-Line (pictured here), which has a base price of $58,135 with standard all-wheel drive. Nappa leather upholstery, 21-inch wheels, front seat massage, power folding mirrors, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. It costs $2,030 more than its predecessor.
Is The Volkswagen Atlas Worth The Extra Cost?
Despite its higher price relative to 2026, some models of the 2027 Atlas offer lots of value per dollar. The base SEL, for example, includes V-Tex leatherette upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and heated and ventilated front seats. With all-wheel drive, the entry-level Atlas starts at $45,125, a number that compares well to the $45,540 Hyundai Palisade SEL (which doesn't get a heated steering wheel or ventilated front seats). Getting heated and ventilated front seats on an all-wheel-drive Kia Telluride means stepping into the EX model, which starts at $47,335. Both Koreans can be had for less money than the Atlas, but doing so requires some sybaritic sacrifices.
The Volkswagen's budget-friendly appeal erodes as you step into higher trims. The loaded SEL Premium R-Line's $58,000-plus base price makes it more expensive than any Telluride trim except the rugged X-Pro SX Prestige. Efficiency-minded owners could even get an extremely well equipped Telluride SX Prestige hybrid for the exact same price as the flagship Atlas. The story is similar at Hyundai dealers, where the Palisade Calligraphy is $58,160 despite having one of the best interiors this side of a Range Rover. Even the sterling Honda Pilot is less than a VW Atlas fully loaded, with its Elite Black Edition demanding $56,690.
The Subaru Ascent may be the greatest threat to the Atlas, in terms of features per dollar. The Japanese SUV comes standard with all-wheel drive, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power liftgate, nearly matching the Volkswagen (although missing out on ventilated front buckets). Still, its starting price of $42,290 with destination represents a solid deal for a spacious three-row SUV, as does the hard-loaded $53,445 for an Onyx Edition Touring trim.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
The Volkswagen Atlas makes an excellent first impression, especially considering its incredibly spacious cabin should offer more space for third-row passengers and cargo than many of its competitors. We're bummed to see it succumb to the omnipresence of price creep, but at least some of its trims offer lots of value. Still, the three-row crossover space is somewhat budget-sensitive, and we worry whether consumers are going to look past the higher starting price to get it on their shopping lists in the first place.
Source: Volkswagen
