2027 Volkswagen Atlas Prototype Drive

Lac Canitchez in the Saint-Alexis-des-Monts region of Quebec is reassuringly frozen solid.

About a metre of ice separates me from the frigid depths as I fling a camouflaged 2027 Volkswagen Atlas across the lake’s slick surface. This is all very hush-hush, as the next-generation Atlas has yet to break official cover; these prototypes are a teaser, and we’re driving them only on this remote lake far from prying eyes. About the only life I’m seeing is the odd crow overhead, some sled dogs, and a few squirrels. Luckily, no fish — so far.

Popular and Plus-Sized

The full-size Atlas is an important vehicle for the brand. Bowing as a 2018 model, the Chattanooga, Tenn.-made model marked the point where VW got serious about fashioning SUVs for the North American market. Big and bold, and with a third row that can actually accommodate full-size humans, the Atlas has consistently ranked in the top three in sales for the segment. Last year it was second in Canada, trailing only the Ford Explorer.

Since its launch, Volkswagen Canada has sold almost 94,000 of these stylish, roomy, and fine-driving family haulers, be that the conventional three-row version or the fashionable Atlas Cross Sport that came online in 2020 with two sets of seats inside. And while folks kicking tires in the three-row crossover segment are spoiled for choice, the Atlas brings a certain Germanic poise and communication to the proceedings that separates it from the crowd. Essentially, the Atlas is a Volkswagen through and through.

The Atlas saw updates for 2021 and 2024, but here at this wintry event we’re getting a taste of the all-new 2027 Atlas that will hit Canadian dealerships this fall first as a three-row, with the two-row Atlas Cross Sport arriving sometime in 2027. This second-generation version rides on the new MQB Evo platform that underpins the latest Tiguan, as well as the Golf GTI and Golf R.

The wheelbase remains the same as the outgoing model, as do the vehicle’s basic dimensions. That means it’s still among the largest entries in the segment.

Evolutionary Looks

When I say I got a taste of the 2027 Atlas at this media event, it was more of a nibble. The colourful camouflage (which I think should be an option) did a fine job of hiding the Atlas's new contours, and these pre-production specimens were riding on last year’s wheels while also having sneaky stick-on headlight covers that aped the outgoing model’s peepers. If we can glean anything, the 2027 Atlas looks to be a bit chunkier than before with a bolder front end.

Adding to that, we were not allowed to take interior pictures or risk a good dunking in Lac Canitchez. Nor could we convey any real meaningful cabin details to you, our faithful readers. What I can say is that the 2027 Atlas is following in the wake of the redesigned Tiguan in that its interior digs are considerably more premium, showing a quantum leap in design, build quality, and material choice. It’s very nice inside.

Expect More Power

Under the hood is VW’s ubiquitous turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, although this is an updated “evo “version. No specs escaped the tight-lipped Volks-folks here other than we can expect an increase in output over the old model’s 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, along with improved fuel economy. The transmission remains an eight-speed automatic, and all Canadian examples will have all-wheel drive.

With more and more direct rivals offering conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, is the new Atlas going to be on the ice for electrification or sitting it out on the bench? Well, going by some of the obtuse and vague hints here, the Atlas might be lacing up its skates for future play when it comes to gas-electric — but not PHEV — motivation. Stay tuned, they tell us.

And on the subject of ice, we did have fun gliding, sliding, and trying to stitch together some graceful arcs in the big Atlas crossover that can send as much as half its torque to the rear wheels. There was no on-road driving at this media event, so I cannot comment on the 2027 Atlas’s manners. However, if the Tiguan that rides on this same platform is anything to go by, it’s safe to assume the second-gen. Atlas’s chassis refinement and handling will see improvement.

Final Thoughts

We can expect an initial trim walk of Comfortline, Highline, and Execline. Apparently, we Canadians like our Atlas SUVs all gussied up; the top Execline with standard R-Line Package represents more than half the Atlas’s annual sales in Canada.

No Canadian pricing was available for the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas as of this writing — we’ll have until mid-year for that. The 2026 version ranges in price from about $55,000 to $65,000 before tax  The 2027 Atlas will be officially revealed at the 2026 New York auto show.