2024 Volkswagen Atlas

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

2024 Volkswagen Atlas 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • Good
  • Acceptable
  • Marginal
  • Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

  • Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE with Technology 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year. The ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, introduced in the 2020 model year. The Cross Sport is derived from the Atlas, but it has only two rows of seats instead of three.

Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1717
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 8
Footrest (cm) 8
Left toepan (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Upper dash (cm) 6
Lower instrument panel (cm) 7

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1717
Head
HIC-15 516
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 2.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.35
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 3.1
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 8
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 1
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.46
Right 0.50
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.1
Right 0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 77
Right 115

Passenger-side

  • Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas S 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year. The ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, introduced in the 2020 model year. The Cross Sport is derived from the Atlas, but it has only two rows of seats instead of three.

Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the passenger dummy’s head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The passenger’s space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID CEP1814
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 9
Footrest (cm) 14
Right toepan (cm) 11
Center toepan (cm) 7
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 4
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6
Upper dash (cm) 6
Right lower dash (cm) 7

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CEP1814
Head
HIC-15 397
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 15
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 19
Femur (kN)
Left 0.9
Right 4.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 7
Right 3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 2
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.60
Right 0.78
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 3.4
Right 2.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 105
Right 43

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEP1814
Head
HIC-15 205
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 29
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.29
Right 0.47
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 46
Right 65

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen.The ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, introduced in the 2020 model year. The Cross Sport is derived from the Atlas, but it has only two rows of seats instead of three.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1710
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 8
Left (cm) 10
Center (cm) 9
Right (cm) 8
Brake pedal (cm) 6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 2
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1710
Head
HIC-15 243
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm) 30
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 2.1
Femur force - right (kN) 1.3
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 1
Maximum tibia index - left 0.48
Maximum tibia index - right 0.74
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.6
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 95
Right 88

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL R-line 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Forces on the driver dummy's lower right leg were high enough to indicate the likelihood of injuries.

The rear passenger dummy's head came close to contacting the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEF2201
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 5
Left (cm) 7
Center (cm) 9
Right (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 1
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) -5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEF2201
Head
HIC-15 245
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.30
Right 1.17
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.5
Right 2.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 71
Right no data

Rear passenger injury measures

Test ID CEF2201
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 2.4
Compression (kN) 0.4
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion
no contact
Chest
Chest index 40
Shoulder belt tension (kN) 6.2
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression 0.1
Right femur compression 0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SE 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year. The ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, introduced in the 2020 model year. The Cross Sport is derived from the Atlas, but it has only two rows of seats instead of three.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2201
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -29.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2201
Head
HIC-15 42
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 21
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.01
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.26
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 5.4

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2201
Head
HIC-15 163
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 11
Lateral force (kN) 0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 39
Average deflection (mm) 26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.29
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.53
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.8

About the side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • SEL trim
  • SEL Premium trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SEL trim
  • SEL Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2024 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 97.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 56.7 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 76.6 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 50.2 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 64.8 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 58.9 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 160.1 m
Straightaway left edge 181.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 82.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 73.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 64.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.7 m

Trim level(s)

  • SE trim
  • SE trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?Yes
High-beam assist?No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • SE trim
  • SE trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? Yes
High-beam assist? No
Overall rating
Applies to 2024 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 97.1 m None
Straightaway left edge 56.8 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 88.1 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 57.0 m 0.8%
150m radius right curve, right edge 78.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.6 m 5.1%
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 148.8 m
Straightaway left edge 166.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 88.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 86.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 77.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 68.5 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024 models

System details

  • standard Front Assist
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.

Crossing adult — night

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Parallel adult — night

  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 28 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 2 mph and a warning was issued 0.6 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSE w/ Technology
Seat type leatherette

This vehicle has 3 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 2 additional seating positions with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimSE w/ Technology
Seat type leatherette
1 2 3 6 4
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
4
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
6
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 72
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 4-6
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 81
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH
Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 36
Clearance angle (degrees) 81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 6
Clearance angle (degrees) 70
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH
Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 25
Clearance angle (degrees) 69
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH
Not measured

Seat position 31

6

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH
Not measured

Seat position 33

4

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor
Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH
Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation