The 2025 Atlas Peak Edition Is Ready to Take You There

It is a testament to how much things have changed that the company that once famously told us to “Think Small” now produces a vehicle that is 16 feet, 8 inches long, 7 feet, 4 inches wide, comfortably seats seven people, and is called Atlas. But Volkswagen means “people’s car,” and most people have families. And if the immediate family isn’t big enough to need a third row of seats, they are likely filled with visiting relatives or friends. Popular spots for gatherings can include campgrounds or trailheads. That’s when it’s nice to have some off-road capability—especially if it rains before your trip back. Bud Brown Volkswagen introduces you to the perfect vehicle for such situations, the Atlas Peak Edition. 

The Atlas Peak Edition highlights the off-pavement capabilities of the model and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Like any three-row crossover, it is not designed for a run on the Rubicon trail or other challenging terrains where Wranglers, Broncos, and ATVs more easily play, but it can reliably take you through unpaved campgrounds, fishing spots, or tow your boat and trailer to the launch ramp. 

If you haven’t seen an Atlas in a while, you’ll be impressed by the upgrade in materials throughout the cabin across the model lineup. The Peak Edition features seats with a patterned V-Tex surface that feels like leather but is more durable and easier to clean. Their appearance is enhanced by contrasting colors in the bolsters and contrasting color stitching. The driver’s seat offers 10-way power adjustment, and both front seats are heated and ventilated.  

Standard is a 10.25-inch driver’s information display that offers a generous choice of configurations, and the standard head-up display makes key information even more accessible. The 12.0-inch center touchscreen provides clear and sharp graphics for the audio system and provides wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the convenience of which is supported by a standard wireless phone charger. 

Mounted on the center console is the drive mode selector that offers specific modes for Eco, Comfort, Sport, Custom, Off-Road, or Snow. These modes adjust the throttle response, shift logic, and traction control systems to perform optimally for the task at hand. 

Third-row passengers enjoy more legroom than in a Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Ford Explorer, and Nissan Pathfinder, among others. The second-row bench slides fore and aft to help balance legroom needs. Head and shoulder room are also ample. With all seats filled, you will have more cargo space (20.6 cubic feet) than the models mentioned above and others. Both second- and third-row seats fold flat to create a cargo floor that holds an impressive 96.6 cubic feet of cargo, exceeding most of its competitors. 

Last year, the Atlas replaced both its standard four-cylinder and optional V6 with its current turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. VW has developed and refined this engine for a long time, and in this application, it delivers 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic sequential shifting, which is very useful in mountain driving. On the highway, the Atlas is rated at 25 mpg, which is coincidentally what many people reported getting in their “Think Small” early 1960s Beetles.  

On the safety front, the Atlas has an overall 5-Star rating from the NHTSA and is an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK. Helping you avoid collisions in those tests are standard automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert, along with adaptive cruise control for convenience. 

While the Atlas certainly was not developed by “thinking small,” it does have the practical attention to detail that has earned the Volkswagen brand its reputation today. Visit Bud Brown Volkswagen to test drive the new 2025 Atlas Peak Edition, and feel free to bring along a few friends. They’ll fit.