Video: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas Review: First Impressions

Now in terms of styling, the world may be round, but the Atlas is very boxed. Definitely a very squared off vertical front end here, a lot going on up front. There's very clearly defined fender lines. They kind of go back and, and again, in a boxy tail, sort of old Chevy trailblazer meets current Jeep Grand Cherokee. I don't know if I really dig it, but see if you do. Now, the Atlas' seven seat interior, is very straight forward up front here, a very vertical shelf like dashboard, not big fans of the capacitive touch buttons here for the center stack, but volume and tuning knobs important to have. Also knobs here for the temperature controls, a very straightforward, very approachable set of controls here with lots of storage space around it. Nice big bin down here, even a bin up there, definitely things families are gonna want to have. Fairly roomy second row here in the Atlas, lots of head room. I kind of wish the seats sat maybe an inch higher off the ground for adult friendly leg support, but not too bad there. Now getting into the third row, second row seat here comes forward in such a way that allows you to have forward facing car seat here, obviously not with the baby in it. Allows you to do that without having to remove it, to get back to the third row. And once you're back here, not too bad of a setup for adults. Again, reasonably high seating position off the ground. Actually as third rows go, I could sit back here for a short trip. And the second row slides forward and backwards. So you can forge a workable compromise between those up there and those back here. Will family shoppers flock to this new SUV, or will the market give Volkswagen a collective Atlas shrug. We'll have to wait and see. The Atlas goes on sale in spring of 2017.