carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.6L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 17 / 24 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 454 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 7 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $31,683–$40,934 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.3/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.7/10, while Safety at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.7/10. The Atlas nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety is a notable gap at 6.8/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
With 7.5/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.0/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $31,683–$40,934, 17 MPG, seating 7, the Volkswagen Atlas sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. At 7.6/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas sits in the middle of the field. Until its safety scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $31,683 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 12%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Across the Atlas model years we've scored, the 2019 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.5/10 | $38,393 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.5/10 | $38,393 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $37,275 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $36,156 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.3/10 | $35,038 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.2/10 | $33,920 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $32,802 | Read review → |
| 2019 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $31,683 | |
| 2018 | 7.2/10 | $30,565 | Read review → |
We rate the 2019 Volkswagen Atlas's reliability 8.7/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 44% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas starts at $31,683 and ranges up to $40,934 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Volkswagen models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.