VW's 2018 Atlas Starts at $30,500
The company's entry to the mid-size SUV market will arrive with two engine choices, optional all-wheel drive, and a trio of option packages across four trim grades that will include S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium. The first models will arrive in May.

Photo of 2018 Atlas courtesy of VW.

Photo of 2018 Atlas courtesy of VW.
Volkswagen will start its 2018 Atlas at $30,500 for the base mid-size SUV powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with front wheel drive, the automaker has announced.
The company's entry to the mid-size SUV market will arrive with two engine choices, optional all-wheel drive, and a trio of option packages across four trim grades that will include S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium. The first models will arrive in May.
The base S, which will arrive later in the model year, starts at $30,500. The model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A 3.6-liter V-6 S FWD model is available for $31,900. A 3.6-liter V-6 S AWD model is available for $33,700.
Volkswagen will offer a limited number of Atlas S Launch models with the 3.6-liter VR6 engine with FWD for $33,500 and AWD for $35,300.
The Atlas SE, which starts at $33,590, adds automatic headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert, foglights, heated front seats, and 10-way power driver seats. The SE trim also features the 8-inch Composition Media touchscreen infotainment system with SiriusXM Satellite Radio and three additional USB ports. A 3.6-liter V-6 SE FWD model is available for $34,990, while the AWD model retails for $36,790.
The Atlas SE with Technology model starts at $35,690, and includes connectivity and driver assistance features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control; Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring (Front Assist); and Lane Departure Warning (Lane Assist), which actively helps the driver steer the car back into its lane if the driver takes hands off the wheel for a period of time, or the vehicle crosses a lane marking without an activated turn signal. A 3.6-liter V6 SE with Technology FWD model is available for $37,090, while the AWD model retails for $38,890.
The Atlas SEL, which retails for $39,160, adds a panoramic sunroof, Easy Open liftgate, as well as front and rear Park Distance Control. The 3.6-liter V6 SEL FWD model is available for $40,890, while the AWD model retails for $42,690.
The Atlas SEL Premium, which retails for $48,490, arrives only in the 4Motion AWD system and 3.6-liter VR6 engine. The model includes the 12.3-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, navigation, automatic High Beam Control (Light Assist), Parking Steering Assistant (Park Assist), and the Area View camera.
Three options packages include Captain's Chairs for $625, the R-Line performance upgrade for $1,960, and Black Wheels for $235.
More Operations

Fleet Has a Talent Pipeline Problem. What Comes Next? | AF News Recap
Where will fleet’s next generation of leaders come from? This week, we’re looking at the industry’s talent pipeline, what certification can add to a fleet career, how to build an award-worthy track record, and the return of Automotive Fleet’s Personal Use Survey.
Read More →
Smith System Launches Driver Risk Management Program
Fleets have more driver data than ever, but identifying risky behavior doesn't necessarily correct it. Smith System's new Driver Risk Management program combines monitoring, training, and follow-up coaching to help fleets connect risk signals with driver intervention.
Read More →
Automotive Fleet Opens 2026 Personal Use Survey for Commercial Fleet Managers
Less than two weeks left! Commercial and corporate fleet managers are invited to share how their organizations handle company vehicle personal-use policies, charges, and driver eligibility.
Read More →
From AI Prompts to AI-Generated Safety Songs | AF News Recap
Can better prompts make AI more useful for fleet managers? This week, we’re breaking down smarter fleet analysis, an AI-assisted experiment that turned safety training into music, and what happened to fuel prices in August.
Read More →
How to Write Better AI Prompts for Fleet Analysis
Include these six elements in your fleet prompts to generate more relevant analysis and accurate answers.
Read More →
Fleet Meets: Eric Kilgore
This edition of the Fleet Meets series features one of the industry's best leaders driving multi-market and national operations.
Read More →
Why Reactive Fleet Management Is Becoming Too Expensive to Sustain
Research highlights a growing need for proactive management strategies to address rising costs in fleet operations effectively.
Read More →
What Your Fleet KPIs Aren’t Telling You
Tracking fleet metrics is only useful when the data leads to better decisions. This guide helps fleet leaders assess cost, utilization, and downtime more accurately, identify performance gaps, and prioritize the actions that can improve operational results.
Read More →
Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks
Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness
Read More →
Turning Fleet Payment Data into Executive Insights
Does data alone drive results in operations?
Read More →