 What's up you guys? I'll go back to another one. If you are new to the channel, I am Gold Penny. I do new car truck SUV reviews on YouTube. And today we are in the brand new 2024 Volkswagen Atlas courtesy of Faulkner Volkswagen in Mechanicsburg PA. For more information on their inventory, please feel free to check out the link in the description box below. And so today we are in this one because there is new standard equipment. There is a new look for 2024. There's a new upgraded interior. There's new tech. I can really go on and on. A lot about this thing is new for 2024. So ultimately in this video, we will be testing out and going over everything about this one from acceleration to braking, steering wheel ride quality, sound system, exhaust clip, all that fun stuff. So having said all of that, what do you guys say? Let's just go ahead and jump right into it. And as always, let's start with pricing it. So as you can imagine, there are several different trim levels for the 2024 Atlas. First one being the SE starting at $37,725. Then there's the SE with technology, which is the one we were actually in today, starting at $41,665. SEL for $48,445. And lastly, the SEL Premium R line for $52,455. Now, the last two trim levels there, that does come standard with all-wheel drive. But for the first two trim levels, like the one that we have today, if you wanted to add all-wheel drive, you can do that simply at $1,900. Otherwise, the front-wheel drive is going to come standard. But regardless of trim level that you go with, the power plant on this thing is going to be the same. Powering the Beast is a two-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder, putting out 269 horsepower at 5,500 RPM. 273 pound-feet of torque coming in at 1,600 RPM. Power-scent to front wheels or all-wheels through an eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters, which you guys know we will be testing out here in a little bit. Zero to 60 times should come in at approximately seven seconds flat. Top speed, if you're interested, 120 miles per hour there. With FPG numbers coming in at 20 in the city, 27 on the highway for the front-wheel drive, 19 in the city, 25 then on the highway for the all-wheel drive. But so now having got all of that out of the way, what do you guys say? Let's go ahead and find a straightaway. Let's put the paddle shifters here to the test first and let's see how quickly these paddle shifters are going to react for us here. All right, got it. In first gear in three, two, one, go. Actually, not bad. Paddle shifters are pretty darn quick. Now, I will say they are kind of small and they are plastic, so wouldn't have minded if they kind of upgraded the style of them. But having said that, I honestly think not too many people are going to be using the paddle shifters in a vehicle like the Atlas anyways, but I do love that they're there nonetheless because you can actually use them for a little bit of engine braking when it's snowing out. So for example, if you're going down a hill and it's a little bit snowy, rather than hitting the brakes and just sliding off the hill, you could simply do a little bit of downshifting, let the engine do a little bit of the braking so you're less likely to actually slide off the road. So for that reason, I like that they're there and they are actually pretty darn quick. I just wish they were a little fancier, I guess. I don't know, but anyways, now having got that out of the way, what do you guys say? Let's go ahead and find a straightaway. Let's really put the acceleration here to the test and let's see how quickly we can get our new 2024 Volkswagen Atlas here up the speed. All right, we're going to do this from a standstill. So three, two, one, go. It's not bad. Yeah, it's not bad. Honestly, there was a little bit of turbo lag at the get go, but I remember driving the Atlas previously, it's kind of known for that and it's still there, unfortunately, but it's not bad. Definitely not going to have any issues merging onto the highway. Plenty of quickness once you get passed up, maybe 2000 RPM or something like that. So definitely not going to have any issues emerging onto the highway. Having said that, maybe a mild hybrid system would do some good in this thing that kind of eliminates that turbo lag typically. And it's also going to give you a little better MPGs. I'm not sure how much that would add to the cost of this thing, but still that may be something that Volkswagen might want to consider in the future. But anyways, too long at that acceleration is always braking is equally important. So as expected, you will find four wheel disc brakes coming standard. Now I will say in the past, I remember the braking being really, really bad in the Atlas and now it feels fine actually. I gotta be honest, it feels a heck of a lot better than it used to. So I don't know what they did there, but in terms of braking feel, it feels as it should feel. Now it's not the firmest braking feel. You wouldn't expect that in the Atlas in a large three row SUV, but it's not a super soft braking feel like it used to be either. So I'll put it that way. So it is acceptable. I certainly don't mind it. But anyways, then touching on suspension and handling up front you're going to get independent strut type front suspension in the back independent multi-link rear suspension. As far as ride quality goes, that's been excellent. I've had no issues with ride quality whatsoever. Definitely absorbing Pennsylvania's road of perfections quite nicely. So I love the ride quality in this thing. Definitely not going to have any issues with going on a long road trip to Ocean City, Maryland or something like that. Not that everybody in the world is going there. I'm just saying, but anyways, in terms of steering feel, it's definitely on the looser side of things. It is very loosey-goosey. Wouldn't have minded if they firmed up that steering feel a little bit, but it's to be expected in large three-row SUV, I suppose. But then touching on cabin noise, that's been excellent as well. So I'm going around 35 miles per hour right now and literally I'm getting nothing. There's no wind noise coming into the cabin. There's not really any road noise either. So that is excellent. Kind of has a very serene cabin on the inside here. So no issues there. Touching on visibility, I got the third row up right now and those third row headrests are absolutely gigantic. So I would say if you don't have any passengers in the third row, simply fold those down and that should be perfectly fine. Otherwise, that is going to eat up a good bit of your view out of the rear view mirror there. But rain-sensing windshield wipers actually do come standard for all trim levels across the board, helping with forward visibility. And if you wanted to head up display, simply go with one of those SEL trim levels. But that pretty much rounds out the performance segment of this review, you guys. Let's now go ahead and take a look at the exterior of our brand new 2024 Volkswagen Atlas. All right, so here she is, you guys. The new 2024 Volkswagen Atlas, completely refreshed for 2024. But before we get into it, let's go ahead and start with where this one is made. Taking a look at the bin, first character is the number one indicating that the Atlas is built and assembled here in the US for US customers. So I like that. But go ahead and start up front on this one. There is a revised front grille, of course, for the 2024 model year. You will get an integrated light bar if you go with the SE with technology trim level and up. So that is what I'm going to show you guys here. Illuminated front and rear Volkswagen logos as well. Again, with the SE with technology and up, I love that. LED headlights to the sides with LED daytime running lights do come standard on every single trim level across the board. You're also though going to get an adaptive front lighting system for all trim levels as well. So what that is is when you're going around a bend at night, those headlights are going to swivel based on the direction of your steering angle, better help illuminating what is around that bend. So it's going to add better visibility at night for sure. So I love that every single trim level gets that. Typically that's something you find in luxury vehicles. So very rarely on non-luxury brands will you find that. So I'm a big fan of that. But automatic feature coming with the headlights as well along with automatic high beams. If you go with the SEL trim level end up for those automatic high beams. So what that is is when you have your high beams on at night and it sends the vehicle coming in the opposite direction, it's going to automatically dim the back to low beams. And when that vehicle is gone, it's going to automatically then bounce it back up to high beams for you. So very convenient feature there. And there is a unique front bumper if you were to go with that R line trim level only. The other trims are all going to look the same basically. But that pretty much rounds out the front end. Let's now go ahead and make our way to the side. All right, so now since we are around to the side of the Atlas roof rails do come standard on all trim levels across the board. Chrome belt line molding coming with the SEL trim levels, but Chrome windows surrounds them coming with the SEL trim levels. Body color power adjustable side mirrors do come standard. They will be heated with LED integrated turd signals then as well. You're going to get some matte black side skirts like you guys are looking at for all trim levels essentially, but the R line. If you go with that R line trim level, this will turn into body colored side skirts. That is the look that I personally prefer, but having said that, most three row SUVs do get the matte black side skirts, I will say that. But then take a look down at the wheel, set up 18 inch alloys for the SE trim level, 20 inch alloys for the SE with technology and the SE L trims, that's what you guys are looking at. And if you were to go with that R line, that top trim level, you're going to get 21 inch alloys. But the pretty much rounds out the side profile. Let's now go ahead and make our way to the back. All right, so now since we are around to the back of this one, yet again, things have been switched up slightly for 2024. You do have a rear spoiler with an integrated brake light that does come standard rear window wiper as well. LED tail lights do come standard as well. And again, that's been redesigned. I like the Atlas badging spelled out horizontally and that is highlighted by that chrome accent piece just underneath of the tail lights there. Now, the next thing is I wanted to mention that Volkswagen always does this and Audi actually does this as well, but they always tend to try to fake you out with imitating exhaust outlets. Although it looks like there are chrome exhaust outlets integrated into the rear bumper, they are actually filled with plastic. So just underneath of you guys can see that there are actually dual exhaust outlets, but they are actually tucked away. So having said that, I do believe you guys know what we have to do next. As always here is that exhaust clip. And so now since we are around to the back of this one, when it comes to opening that rear tailgate, it is a hands free power tailgate. If you go with the SE with technology trim level end up, that's how you're gonna go ahead and get that. But once opened up, cargo capacity comes in at 20.6 cubic feet behind that third row. If that was not enough space, of course the third row does fall down, bumping that up to 55.5 cubic feet. Then with all rows folded, that is going to come in at 96.6 cubic feet then. But ultimately there is a 6040 split. There's a 12 volt power outlet back in that cargo area as well. There are some grocery bag hooks. There's LED cargo lighting. I loved seeing that. Little bit of storage to the side there. And then if you were to lift up underneath of that cargo floor, we'll actually find a little bit of in floor storage, but also a spare tire then as well. But then let's go ahead and make our way up to the rear leg room. That's gonna come in at 33.7 inches, which is actually pretty darn impressive for a third row. For reference, I'm even six feet tall. This is how much space I had back there. I was actually able to fit. So that is pretty darn cool. In terms of rear ventilation, yes, the third row does get it. However, it's not located on the ceiling like you typically would find in other SUVs. It's actually located just kind of by the rear windows on the side of everything. So that's where you're gonna find that, which is perfectly fine, at least they got it. But then make our way up to the second row leg room. That comes in at 37.6 inches for reference. I mean, even six feet tall. So much space I had back there. Again, rear ventilation does come. Standard is gonna be located in front of them. There are some phone charging ports back there as well. There's actually 115 volt power outlet that I found back there. So that was pretty darn cool. And I was definitely a big fan of the rear window sunshoots back there. And by the way, that comes with the SE with technology trim leveling up, if you wanted those. And if you wanted to spoil those second row passengers with heated second row seats, go with the SE L trim leveling up. That's how you're gonna go ahead and get that. But now let's go ahead and make our way up to the front seats. Power adjustable driver seat does come standard. Heated front seats actually do come standard for all trim levels. Ventilated front seats do come standard for all trim levels as well. That's typically an option with Mercedes and BMW, but you get it standard here on the Atlas. So love that. Leatherette seating is gonna come standard. Leather seating is gonna come on the SE L trim level end up. Overall, seating was plenty comfortable. I personally didn't have any issues in my short little test drive here today at least. So no issues there. Let's take a look at the steering wheel. It is tilt and telescoping. It is leather wrapped for all trim levels, but the R line, the R line trim is gonna give you a leather wrapped steering wheel and it's kind of a flat bottom as well. So I was a big fan of that. And actually I see a heated steering wheel button on there. So that is going to be available apparently as well. So I like that. But now let's go ahead and make our way to the startup. And let me start by showing you guys key here. Got your Volkswagen logo on the one side. When you flip it over, lock, unlock the button to pop the rear tailgate there. The times two button that's gonna be a remote start. And that comes with the SE with technology trim level end up. But ultimately it is all keyless entry with a push button start. So all I'm going to do here is simply put my front of the brake and press that silver engine start button located just in front of the shifter. And by the way, this is a kind of different shifter than most other brands out there. So I'm gonna cover this real quick. To put it in reverse, you push it up. To put it in drive, you pull it back. And then to put it in park, you just press down on the P button just in front of it. So in case you were curious about that. Anyways, once started up, there is a very nice looking 10.3 inch digital gauge cluster. That comes standard for every single trim level across the board. And I absolutely freaking love it. Volkswagen and Audi always do an amazing job with their gauge clusters. Let me just say that. So there are steering wheel mounting controls that allow you to completely adjust what is displayed up there. Of course, there is actually a view button on the steering wheel that completely changes the loadout of those gauges. So it gives you a couple different views, a couple different displays that you can choose to display up there if you wanted to. So I'm a big fan of that. Of course it gives you your outside temperature, how many miles you'll have left until you hit empty and pretty much everything you possibly want up there. But now, let's go ahead and make our way to overall interior quality. There is a wireless phone charger that comes standard for all trim levels across the board. Love that. Audi did me a rear view mirror. Also standard for all trim levels. Dual zoom climate control. All trims are gonna get that. So both driver and passenger can set their own temperatures. Multi color ambient lighting coming with the SEL trim level and up. So fortunately we don't have that with us here today. Stainless steel pedals for the R line trim level. There's gonna be a panoramic moon roof for the SEL trim level and up. But it is available for the SEL technology for $1,200. That's how we have it. And yes, it goes all the way into the back. It is a massive panoramic moon roof. So big fan of that. But I gotta say, I think my favorite thing about the interior quality of the Atlas here is this wood trim. And I don't know if it's real wood, but it looks dang good. And the best part about this wood trim is it surrounds the gauge cluster. I love that part. Typically other manufacturers will stop it at the infotainment screen and continue it onto the doors. But in the case of Volkswagen, it surrounds the actual digital gauge cluster. I think for that reason, it looks so dang good. It looks so high end because of that. Cause most manufacturers will not do that for whatever reason. So well done, Volkswagen. That was well thought out. I really liked that. But anyways, just in front of the cup holders here, you got wireless fan charger. Like I said, a little bit of rubberized storage. You do have cup holders just to the right of that. Shifter and start button. Behind the cup holders, you got a little bit of storage within the center armrest. A massive amount of storage in there. Another phone charging port too. Another really cool feature about the Atlas though is just underneath of that shifter and engine start button. You do have some hidden storage. Some went hidden storage though. So you could probably put your purse there or anything else that you kind of want to kind of keep out of sight. So I was a big fan of that too. I kind of liked the material used on the doors. There's some contrast stitching. Really, this is a very high-end interior quality. I gotta be honest though. I'm a huge fan of the interior quality on the Atlas here without a doubt. But now, let's go ahead and make our way to the infotainment screen here. There's a 12-inch color touchscreen display that does come standard. And yes, it is new for 2024, like I mentioned at the beginning of the video. So I love it. Bluetooth and audio streaming coming standard, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay. If you wanted to factor your navigation system, you can get it. Just go with the SEL trim level and up. And overall, it's basically set up just like your cell phone would be set up. It's extremely easy to use. And another thing when it comes to the tech, I noticed something that Volkswagen is doing in the Atlas that Volvo has done for a while now. Maybe they took it off of Volvo, but to open and close the Panoramic Moon roof, you simply just slide your finger back to open it and slide it forward to close it. That's really cool. But then the interior lighting up front at least here, you just simply touch on the lighting itself. There's literally no button. You just touch on the cover for the lighting and it's gonna turn on and off for you. So that's another thing that Volvo does. And I haven't seen it on any other manufacturers yet and I always really liked it. But now Volkswagen is doing it in the Atlas as well. So I'm a huge fan of that. Well done Volkswagen yet again. So anyways, a lot of fun tech. And speaking of, let's continue on to the sound system. I got sidetracked there. Six speakers are gonna come standard on all trim levels, but the R line, the R line is gonna give you a harming card in sound system. So having said that, we do got the six speaker with us here today. So let's go ahead and turn on the radio, see what we got playing today and let's test out the clarity of this one. I should have a lot more bass than I expected for a six speaker sound system. I gotta be honest. So didn't sound that bad. I will say that a ton of clarity compared to the upgraded sound systems that I typically test, but it'll certainly get the job done for what this vehicle is. I'll just put it that way. But anyways, last thing I wanna mention to you guys on the infotainment screen of course is when you do put the Atlas in reverse, you will find a rear view camera coming standard across the board. Not the very most high quality rear view camera out there and for some reason it keeps blinking on me. I don't know what's going on with it right now, but nonetheless, that is gonna let you know what is behind you, which is always is going to lead us in this safety. And so just our front side, side curtain airbags do come standard. In the back you're gonna have latch, AKA lower anchors to tether your children for the rear car seats, rear child door locks, tire pressure monitoring system, but also coming standard, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, and if you were to go with the SEWIC technology from leveling up, you're also going to get front and rear parking sensors. So that is pretty cool. But anyways, overall, when it comes to my final thoughts here of the Atlas, a very nice refresh inside and out. So in my opinion, it's just been slightly refreshed on the exterior, but the interior is definitely massively refreshed. And I love it. I love this wood trim that surrounds the gauges. Like I said, I think it looks so high quality. I love the way you open and close the moonroof too and then just touch screen interior lighting, whatever you want to call it. And quite honestly, there is a ton of space in this thing. So 96 cubic feet in a three row SUV, that is taking it above and beyond. And yes, that's more than the Telluride, that's more than the Palisade, that's more than the Pilots, that's more than the Highlander, but that's not really what this vehicle competes with. So there's essentially three of them that I can think of off the top of my head. The top three I would say would be the Volkswagen Atlas for this size SUV. You got the Chevy Traverse and you got the new Toyota Grand Highlander. Having said that, we know which one of those you guys would pick in the comments section below and that is about it for this one. You guys, thank you so much for watching. Feel free to follow me on social media if you wanted to see what's coming next on this channel before it gets to YouTube. Be sure to hit the subscribe and the bell notification button if you're into new car reviews because that is what we do here on this channel. After all, do appreciate you guys watching more than you know and I will see you guys all in the next video. Stay Gold.