Volkswagen Atlas: Which Should You Buy, 2021 or 2022?

Most significant changes: After a freshening for 2021 (and a midyear tech update Volkswagen called the 2021.5 model year), the 2022 Atlas carries over with very few changes. VW has revised trim levels, however, cutting the number of choices from eight to six. 

Pricing: The least expensive 2021 Atlas, the base S, has been dropped for 2022, making the SE trim the new base. It starts at $34,670 (all prices include destination), down $1,430 from a similar 2021.5 Atlas SE but up $1,920 from the 2021.5 Atlas S. The front-wheel-drive SEL, SE with Technology R-Line trim and SEL Premium also have been dropped. Meanwhile, the higher trim levels that continue for 2022 get modest price increases except for the top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line, which is $80 cheaper.

On sale: Now

Which should you buy, 2021 or 2022? Look for a deal on the lower-priced 2021 (or 2021.5) models, particularly if you’re in the market for the discontinued S trim.

Volkswagen’s Atlas — a very capable family hauler that won Cars.com’s Best of 2018 award in its debut year and also earned Cars.com’s 2020 Family Car of the Year — gets only minor changes for 2022, along with revisions of its trim levels. All of that culminates in higher prices on the bottom end. 

Related: 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Review: New Face, Same Space

The Atlas got a significant freshening for 2021 with styling, tech and feature updates. Hot on its heels, Volkswagen issued a midyear update (VW calls these models 2021.5) with the automaker’s latest multimedia system and revised lane-centering assistance technology. But it retained the qualities that have made it a family winner: ample people and cargo space, a third row that can seat adults, top scores for child safety seat accommodation, ample safety and driver assist tech, a user-friendly multimedia system, a quiet cabin and an excellent balance between good ride and handling. 

That formula continues for 2022. Carrying over are the powertrains, a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 235 horsepower and a non-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 with output of 276 hp (both recommend premium fuel for advertised power). Each engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive. VW made minor changes in terms of standard features for some trim levels. Among them: The base SE trim level gets an 8-inch configurable instrument display (a 10-inch unit was available for 2021, but it wasn’t immediately clear whether that returns as an option), the SE with Technology level gets USB-C ports for the third row, and all V-6 models get a standard trailer hitch.

Realigned Trim Levels

More significant for shoppers will be the realignment of Atlas trim levels. The former entry-level trim level, the Atlas S, has been dropped, so the starter Atlas now will be the SE trim. The 2022 SE has a $1,430 lower starting price than the 2021.5 SE, but it’s still $1,920 more expensive than the 2021.5 entry-level S. As with 2021.5, the 2022 SE is available only with the four-cylinder engine. The next trim up, called SE with Technology, once again adds more features and the option of the V-6, but the 2021.5 model’s sportier SE with Technology R-Line has been dropped; it formerly was the least expensive Atlas with the R-Line appearance package. FWD is standard for these trim levels, with AWD a $1,900 option (unchanged from 2021.5). 

Next up is the SEL trim level. For 2022 , the SEL gets AWD standard with the four-cylinder or optional V-6 as well as standard 20-inch wheels. A former less expensive SEL FWD has been dropped. Above the SEL is the sportier-looking SEL R-Line, which continues to have the V-6 and AWD. A new trim level for 2022 (but not coming until later in the model year) is a blacked-out SEL R-Line Black model. Finally, the V-6 SEL Premium R-Line reprises the top of the Atlas lineup for 2022; the 2021.5’s lower-priced SEL Premium without the R-Line package has been dropped. 

2022 Pricing

The destination charge, $1,195, is unchanged from 2021.5. Adding AWD to the SE trim levels is $1,900 (also unchanged), while SEL trim levels have standard AWD. Price changes noted below are with the comparable 2021.5 trim level.

• SE (four-cylinder only): $34,670, (down $1,430)
• SE with Technology (four-cylinder): $38,840 (up $700)
• SE with Technology (V-6): $40,590 (up $1,050)
• SEL (four-cylinder): $44,440 (up $820)
• SEL (V-6): $46,190 (up $770)
• SEL R-Line (V-6 only) $47,590 (up $470)
• SEL R-Line Black (V-6 only): $48,140 (new, late availability)
• SEL Premium R-Line (V-6 only): $51,840 (down $80)

More From Cars.com:

• I Took My Own Advice and Bought a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas
• 2021 Volkswagen Atlas: 5 Things We Like and 2 Things We Don’t
• What’s the Best 3-Row SUV for 2020?
• Which Cars Fit 3 Car Seats?
• 2020 Family Car of the Year
• Does a 3-Row SUV Really Rival a Minivan for Family Hauling?
• Research Volkswagen Atlas Models and Years

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