2022 Volkswagen Atlas
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2022 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4motion 2.0l, 4dr SUV 4motion 3.6l, Sport Cross 4dr SUV 4motion 2.0l, Sport Cross 4dr SUV 4motion 3.6l
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
- Horsepower
- 276 hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 7
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 23 combined · 21 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 195.7–200.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,442–4,594 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 13% below the 2022 small SUV average of 26.5 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2022 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 201 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 117-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,442 lb (4dr SUV 4motion 2.0l).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 25 highway), 13% worse than the 2022 small SUV average of 26.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 260 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2022
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2021 Atlas — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2021; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2021 Atlas →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Chattanooga, Tennessee
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2022 Atlas configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4motion 2.0l | 200.8 in | 78 in | 68.9 in | 117.3 in | 67.7 / 67.7 in | 4,442 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr SUV 4motion 3.6l | 200.8 in | 78 in | 68.9 in | 117.3 in | 67.7 / 67.7 in | 4,594 lb | 57/43 |
| Sport Cross 4dr SUV 4motion 2.0l | 195.7 in | 78.3 in | 67.7 in | 117.3 in | 67.3 / 67.7 in | 4,442 lb | 57/43 |
| Sport Cross 4dr SUV 4motion 3.6l | 195.7 in | 78.3 in | 67.7 in | 117.3 in | 67.3 / 67.7 in | 4,594 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 25 / 23 | -13% | $2,900 | 387 |
| Atlas Cross Sport | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 25 / 23 | -13% | $2,900 | 391 |
| Atlas 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 24 / 22 | -10% | $3,050 | 411 |
| Atlas Cross Sport 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 24 / 22 | -10% | $3,050 | 406 |
| Atlas Cross Sport | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | -25% | $3,350 | 435 |
| Atlas Cross Sport 4motion | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | -18% | $3,350 | 443 |
| Atlas | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | -25% | $3,350 | 445 |
| Atlas 4motion | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | -22% | $3,550 | 460 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2022 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.9% |
| 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 13.6% |


Similar 2022 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Volkswagen Atlas (this car) | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime | 38 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2022 Ford Explorer | 27 MPG | Not rated | 25 |
| 2022 Toyota Highlander | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 23 MPG | Not rated | 24 |
| 2022 Kia Telluride | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2022 GMC Yukon | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
Recalls (7)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Jun 20, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V464000 · 271,330 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
- Risk
- A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 30, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on October 18, 2024, December 10, 2024, December 20, 2024, and January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69PZ.
Suspension › Critical Fasteners · Oct 26, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V807000 · 33 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Volkswagen Atlas FL and 2022-2023 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The driver-side rear trailing arm bolts may not have been tightened properly, allowing them to loosen and fall out.
- Risk
- Unsecured bolts may cause the trailing arm to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver side rear trailing arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 25, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42M2.
Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical · Oct 7, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V753000 · 76,515 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Audi Q5 Sportback, Q5, 2022-2023 Volkswagen Atlas FL, and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine connecting rod bearings may become damaged, which can result in engine failure.
- Risk
- A damaged engine can result in engine failure and a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. If the engine failure causes an oil leak, it can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace an affected engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 6, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 13i4 (VW) and 13i5 (Audi).
Trailer Hitches · Aug 31, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V657000 · 3,184 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The trailer hitch bolts may have been insufficiently tightened.
- Risk
- Loose bolts may fall out, causing the remaining bolts to break, which could lead to separation of the trailer hitch and trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N8.
Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software · Jul 20, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V514000 · 43,091 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Golf GTI, Jetta GLI, Jetta NF, Arteon FL, Tiguan LWB, 2022 Taos, Jetta PA, Tiguan PA, 2021-2022 Atlas Cross Sport, and Atlas FL vehicles. The manufacturing process of the eMMC memory module in the infotainment system may cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the infotainment software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DV.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors · Apr 13, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V245000 · 1,382 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Atlas FL and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The long fuel injectors may have been assembled without filters.
- Risk
- Long fuel injectors with missing filters may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the long fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24iD.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Mar 28, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V152000 · 222,892 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Atlas, 2020-2023 Atlas Cross Sport, and 2021-2023 Atlas FL vehicles. The door wiring harness electrical contacts may corrode, disrupting the electrical connection and delaying the deployment of the driver or passenger front side air bag during a side impact crash.
- Risk
- A delayed air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will secure and, as necessary, replace any the front door wiring harnesses showing a fault code, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 97GF.
Not every 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2022 Volkswagen Atlas buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 69 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Service Brakes — 68 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 63 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 42,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Atlas years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Atlas | 25 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Atlas | 23 | 200.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2025 Atlas | 23 | 200.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 76 |
| 2024 Atlas | 23 | 200.8 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 277 |
| 2023 Atlas | 23 | 200.8 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 159 |
| 2021 Atlas | 22 | 200.8 in | ★★★★★ | 17 | 647 |
| 2020 Atlas | 22 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 11 | 135 |
| 2019 Atlas | 22 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 483 |
| 2018 Atlas | 24 | 198.4 in | ★★★★★ | 17 | 466 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →