When we name a vehicle a winner of our annual Best Of award, we typically buy — not borrow from the manufacturer — an example, then own it for a year, documenting our ownership experience. At the end of that year, we usually sell it prior to purchasing our next winner. That time has come for our ninth winner of the award, the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas Specs & Reviews
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While we have held onto one past winner, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, keeping the Atlas was not in the cards — you try finding parking in downtown Chicago for a family SUV. And so, as we bid the Atlas adieu, we asked our editors if they'd purchase an Atlas again with the full knowledge of our year of ownership — which included nearly 12,000 miles of driving, one regularly scheduled service including an oil change, replenishing fluids, a tire repair, some recall work and a sunshade repair. The sunshade repair was the only standout issue, but it was covered under warranty, so it didn't cost us anything.
A majority of our editors said yes, with praise for the Atlas' cargo and passenger room, as well as its ride comfort and relative nimbleness on-road. Even when competing against the newest three-row SUV on the block, the Subaru Ascent, our Atlas held its own and remained the three-row SUV to beat.
Not everything about the Atlas was perfect, however. The stereo's touch-sensitive buttons remained a significant complaint, but our biggest issue was the Atlas' fuel economy. While we averaged 18.6 mpg over our driving time, the average tank lasted only 281 miles of driving and required 15.1 gallons per fill-up — short of the maximum range of 353 miles the Atlas should possess when its 18.6-gallon fuel tank is full.
What will replace the Atlas? We'll be announcing that in the near future, so stay tuned.
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