Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium, a three-row SUV that's been making waves in the family car market. We'll be taking a comprehensive look at everything from its performance and features to its price and overall value proposition. If you're in the market for a spacious and well-equipped SUV, you're in the right place. We're going to break down why the Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium might be the perfect fit for your needs. Buckle up, and let's get started!

What Makes the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium Stand Out?

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium distinguishes itself from the competition through a blend of premium features, ample space, and a refined driving experience. Unlike some SUVs that prioritize flash over substance, the Atlas SEL Premium focuses on delivering a comfortable and practical ride, perfect for families. Its generous interior space, particularly in the third row, sets it apart, making it a genuine option for larger families. But it's not just about size; the Atlas SEL Premium also boasts a long list of standard features, including advanced driver-assistance systems and a premium interior, ensuring a well-rounded experience. Its turbocharged engine delivers a smooth and efficient performance, and the available all-wheel-drive system provides added confidence in various driving conditions. It strikes a balance between functionality and luxury that appeals to a wide range of buyers. This model's success lies in its ability to offer a compelling package that meets the diverse needs of modern families. Additionally, the Atlas SEL Premium provides a strong value proposition when compared to its rivals, offering a lot of features and space for its price point. It's a car designed to make your life easier and more enjoyable on the road.

Furthermore, the Atlas SEL Premium's design is noteworthy. It features a modern and sophisticated exterior with sleek lines, a bold grille, and stylish LED headlights. The interior is equally impressive, with high-quality materials, comfortable seating, and an intuitive infotainment system. Volkswagen has clearly put a lot of thought into creating a vehicle that's both visually appealing and user-friendly. The focus on practicality is evident throughout, with features like ample cargo space and numerous storage compartments. The Atlas SEL Premium isn't just a means of transportation; it's a carefully crafted experience. The Atlas SEL Premium is equipped with advanced safety features, which provides peace of mind on every journey, and the integration of these technologies demonstrates Volkswagen's commitment to safety. The driver assistance systems are designed to help prevent accidents and reduce the risk of injury, while the overall build quality ensures long-term reliability. The Atlas SEL Premium is a reliable and safe choice for those in need of a family-friendly SUV.

Performance and Driving Experience

Let's get down to the nitty-gritty: how does the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium perform on the road? The SUV comes with a choice of engines, but the SEL Premium typically features a potent turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or a robust 3.6-liter V6 engine. The 2.0-liter engine provides sufficient power for daily driving and offers excellent fuel efficiency. It delivers a smooth and responsive driving experience, making it easy to maneuver through city streets and navigate highways. For those seeking more power, the V6 engine provides a significant boost, enabling effortless acceleration and confident passing maneuvers. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which ensures seamless gear changes and contributes to a comfortable ride. The available all-wheel-drive system enhances the driving experience, providing increased traction and stability in various weather conditions. This is particularly beneficial in areas with snow or rain, offering added security and control. The suspension system is tuned to provide a comfortable ride, absorbing bumps and imperfections in the road. This makes the Atlas SEL Premium a pleasant vehicle for long journeys, allowing passengers to enjoy a smooth and relaxed experience. The steering is precise, and the vehicle handles corners with confidence, making it enjoyable to drive in various situations. Volkswagen has balanced performance and comfort well, resulting in an SUV that is practical and fun to drive. The Atlas SEL Premium proves that a family-friendly SUV can still be engaging and enjoyable.

Moreover, the Atlas SEL Premium offers various driving modes that can be selected to optimize performance based on the conditions. These modes, which include Eco, Normal, and Sport, adjust the engine and transmission settings to provide the most suitable driving experience. The Sport mode enhances throttle response, making the vehicle feel more agile and responsive, which gives drivers a more engaging experience. The Eco mode, on the other hand, prioritizes fuel efficiency by optimizing engine performance and reducing energy consumption. These driving modes make the Atlas SEL Premium adaptable to different driving situations, which is perfect whether you're commuting to work or embarking on a road trip. The vehicle's advanced driver-assistance systems further enhance the driving experience. They can help reduce driver fatigue and prevent accidents. These safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Together, these elements make the Atlas SEL Premium a very capable and safe SUV.

Interior Comfort and Features

Stepping inside the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium reveals a cabin designed with both comfort and functionality in mind. The seats are upholstered in premium leather, providing a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. The front seats are heated and ventilated, ensuring that both the driver and front passenger are comfortable regardless of the weather. The second-row seats are also heated, which is an excellent feature for families with children. The spacious interior provides ample legroom and headroom in all three rows, making it easy for passengers to stretch out and relax. The materials used throughout the cabin are of high quality, giving the Atlas SEL Premium a premium feel. The dashboard is well-designed with an intuitive layout that is easy to navigate. The infotainment system is user-friendly, with a large touchscreen display that provides access to navigation, audio, and vehicle settings. The Atlas SEL Premium comes equipped with a premium sound system, which provides excellent audio quality for an enhanced listening experience. The panoramic sunroof is another highlight, which floods the cabin with natural light and creates a sense of spaciousness. Overall, the interior of the Atlas SEL Premium is a comfortable and well-appointed space that's perfect for both daily commutes and family trips.

Furthermore, the Atlas SEL Premium offers a range of convenient features. There is a wireless charging pad for smartphones, keeping devices charged without the need for cables. Multiple USB ports are available throughout the cabin, ensuring that everyone can keep their devices powered up. The tri-zone climate control system allows passengers in different parts of the car to set their preferred temperatures, which adds to the overall comfort of the ride. The cargo space is also very generous, which can easily accommodate luggage, groceries, and other gear. With the rear seats folded down, the cargo capacity expands significantly, making it easy to transport larger items. The Atlas SEL Premium has several thoughtful touches, like a power liftgate, which makes loading and unloading cargo easier. These features make it an ideal vehicle for families with active lifestyles. Volkswagen has certainly designed the Atlas SEL Premium to provide a very comfortable and convenient driving experience. The attention to detail and high-quality materials make this SUV a leader in its class.

Technology and Infotainment

The technology in the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium is another area where it shines. The centerpiece of the infotainment system is a large touchscreen display, which provides access to a variety of features, including navigation, audio, and vehicle settings. The system is easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate through the various functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard, which allows drivers to seamlessly connect their smartphones and access their favorite apps, music, and navigation tools. The Atlas SEL Premium also comes equipped with a digital instrument cluster, which displays important information such as speed, fuel level, and navigation directions. The digital instrument cluster is fully customizable, and drivers can choose to display the information that they find most relevant. The premium sound system provides excellent audio quality, which enhances the overall listening experience. The system delivers clear and crisp sound, making it enjoyable to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Overall, the technology in the Atlas SEL Premium is modern, user-friendly, and designed to enhance the driving experience.

The advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in the Atlas SEL Premium significantly enhance safety and convenience. These systems include adaptive cruise control, which automatically maintains a set distance from the vehicle in front, and lane-keeping assist, which helps to keep the vehicle centered in its lane. The blind-spot monitoring system alerts drivers to the presence of vehicles in their blind spots, which helps to prevent accidents. The automatic emergency braking system can detect potential collisions and automatically apply the brakes. These features work together to provide drivers with peace of mind. The integration of technology in the Atlas SEL Premium ensures that it meets modern demands. The various connectivity options, like the built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, further enhance the experience. The driver-assistance systems add to the safety and security, making the Atlas SEL Premium a great choice for families.

Safety Features

Safety is a top priority for the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium. This SUV is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features designed to protect occupants in the event of a collision and prevent accidents. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, which provides a clear view of the area behind the vehicle, and front and side airbags for all three rows of seats. The electronic stability control system helps to maintain vehicle stability in challenging driving conditions, and the anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking. The Atlas SEL Premium also comes with a range of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision warning, which alerts drivers to the risk of a potential collision, and automatic emergency braking, which can automatically apply the brakes to prevent or mitigate the impact of a collision. The blind-spot monitoring system alerts drivers to the presence of vehicles in their blind spots, and the lane-keeping assist system helps to keep the vehicle centered in its lane. These advanced systems work together to enhance the safety of the Atlas SEL Premium. The Atlas SEL Premium received positive safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which demonstrates its commitment to safety.

The advanced driver-assistance features in the Atlas SEL Premium not only enhance safety but also improve the driving experience. Adaptive cruise control makes long highway drives less stressful by automatically maintaining a set distance from the vehicle in front. The lane-keeping assist system helps to reduce driver fatigue. The safety features available in the Atlas SEL Premium are designed to give drivers confidence and peace of mind on the road. Volkswagen's dedication to safety is evident in the inclusion of advanced safety features. These help prevent accidents and protect occupants in the event of a crash. The comprehensive safety package, combined with the vehicle's robust build quality, makes the Atlas SEL Premium a very safe choice for families.

Trim Levels and Pricing

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is available in several trim levels, each offering a different set of features and options. The SEL Premium trim, which is the focus of this review, represents the top-of-the-line offering, providing the most features and the highest level of luxury. The other available trim levels typically include the base SE, which offers a good value proposition with a range of standard features, and the SE with Technology, which adds additional features such as a digital instrument cluster and a larger touchscreen display. The SEL trim is a step up from the SE with Technology and includes additional features such as leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and a premium sound system. The SEL Premium trim offers the most comprehensive set of features, including all the features found in the lower trim levels, plus additional upgrades such as a 360-degree camera system, park assist, and a premium leather interior. The pricing of the Atlas SEL Premium is competitive in its class, offering a good balance of value and features. The exact price will vary depending on the specific options and packages chosen, but the Atlas SEL Premium typically falls within a price range that is in line with other premium SUVs in its segment. The pricing strategy for the Atlas reflects Volkswagen's commitment to offering a well-equipped and feature-rich vehicle without breaking the bank. The goal is to provide a compelling package that appeals to a wide range of buyers.

The specific pricing and trim level availability may vary depending on the region and the dealer. However, Volkswagen typically offers a variety of packages and options to allow buyers to customize their Atlas to meet their specific needs and preferences. These options can include additional safety features, such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, as well as luxury features such as a premium sound system and a panoramic sunroof. Understanding the trim levels and pricing is essential when making a purchasing decision, as it helps buyers determine the best value for their money. Volkswagen provides clear information about the various trim levels and options, which makes it easy for buyers to make an informed decision. The value proposition of the Atlas SEL Premium is very strong. It is well-equipped with premium features at a competitive price, and this makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a spacious and luxurious SUV.

Pros and Cons

Let's wrap things up with a quick rundown of the pros and cons of the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium:

Pros:

• Spacious Interior: Offers generous space in all three rows, making it ideal for families.
• Premium Features: Comes standard with a long list of features, including advanced driver-assistance systems.
• Comfortable Ride: The suspension system provides a smooth and comfortable ride.
• User-Friendly Infotainment: The infotainment system is intuitive and easy to use.
• Strong Value: Provides a lot of features and space for its price point.

Cons:

• Fuel Economy: Fuel economy could be better compared to some competitors.
• Base Engine: The base engine may feel underpowered for some drivers.
• Some Plastic Materials: Some interior materials may feel less premium than others in the price range.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL Premium is a compelling choice in the three-row SUV segment. It offers a blend of space, comfort, and premium features, making it ideal for families. While it has a few drawbacks, such as fuel economy, the positives far outweigh the negatives. If you're looking for a spacious, well-equipped, and comfortable SUV, the Atlas SEL Premium is definitely worth considering. Thanks for hanging out, guys! Hope this review helped you out. Safe driving!