2018 Volkswagen Atlas
When Volkswagen opened up a plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee; to build a new Passat sedan; everyone assumed that car was just first of things to come. Well, that was 6 years ago! now, finally, we get to see VW’s second effort from the “dynamo of dixie”, the largest utility the brand has ever made; and designed specifically for the American family; the Atlas!
Back when the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas was going through its early design stages, VW must have been nervous about where the SUV market was headed. It turns out, they needn’t have worried, as utility sales continue to escalate like it’s 1999 all over again. And Atlas appears to be exactly the right vehicle that Volkswagen needs.
This 3-row, 7-passenger, approaching full-size crossover, is longer outside and roomier inside than the Honda Pilot or the Toyota Highlander. In fact, at 198.3-inches, its overall length is exactly the same as the Ford Explorer.
VW went for a somewhat old-school, rugged, yet boxy look here, with a familiar front that unabashedly resembles the rest of the VW lineup.
There’s 8.0-inches of ground clearance; and 18-inch wheels are standard on all but top trim SEL Premium, which gets 20s.
Familiarity lies under the hood as well, with a standard 2.0-liter I4 turbo rated at 235-horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque.
You’ll have to step up to the optional naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter VR6 if you want all-wheel-drive. It delivers 276-horsepower and 266 lb-ft. of torque through the 5th generation of VW’s 4Motion permanent AWD system; which operates in front-wheel-drive mostly, but sends as much as 50% of power rearward when slip is detected.
Two off road modes are part of Driving Mode Selection.
Putting an all-new vehicle out right now without the latest in safety tech, would be a no-go; so the Atlas has most goodies available, from full Stop and Go Adaptive Cruise Control to Autonomous Emergency Braking.
Inside, the dash design is similar to the Passat, but less drab and a little more modern.
Materials and trim are quite good, better than most in class; though nothing quite to the level of the Mazda CX-9’s up-level Signature.
All but base trim get an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with varying levels of features. Operation is intuitive, and response is much quicker that previous VW systems. Apple Car Play an Android Auto are included.
No doubt helped along by the available panoramic sunroof, the interior certainly does convey spaciousness. Yet, Atlas drives like a much smaller vehicle with light, crisp steering. No lumbering ute here, and a good stablemate to the compact Tiguan.
And believe it or not, the Atlas is actually built on the same MQB architecture as the Tiguan, and the Golf.
Three adults will find good room in the second row, and a pair of grownups can even ride in the 3rd row. Furthermore, access to that 3rd row is fantastically easy.
As for cargo, you’ll find almost a minivan’s worth of space. Raise the available power liftgate for 20.6 cubic-ft. behind the 3rd row, that’s more than Pilot, less than Explorer. There’s 55.5 cubic-ft. behind the 2nd row, and its 96.8 cubic-ft. max with all seats folded totally flat. That betters both the Pilot and Explorer, and even the Chevrolet Tahoe.
Towing capacity is 5,000-lbs with the 6-cylinder.
The nimble nature that we felt on the street was more than evident through our slalom course as well. There’s a very tight and sold feel, along with an eager to turn-in chassis; though there was a little more body roll than we expected.
The VR6 engine has been around for a couple of decades now, and power delivery does indeed feel very old school. It took us 7.9-seconds to hit 60; with the full ¼-mile trip taking 16.0-seconds at 89 miles-per-hour.
Shifts from the 8-speed automatic are very smooth, and engine noise is well restrained.
With all-wheel-drive, Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 17-City, 23-Highway, and 19-Combined. And, 19 was our average on a mixed driving loop.
So, the Energy Impact Score rates poor; burning 17.3-barrels of oil yearly, while emitting 7.5 tons of CO2.
Like most larger 3-row utes, the Atlas delivers the basics for just over $30,000, and you’ll pay close to 50 for the best of everything. But, our well outfitted V6 SEL tester, at $40,085, met all of our family needs and seemed like a genuine bargain to boot. All-wheel drive is $1800 more.
It took a while to get here, but early indicators are the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas was worth the wait. It’s the American-sized 3-row SUV that the VW faithful have been waiting for. IT’s packed full with a tremendous amount of space, comfort, and capability that will surely make it attractive to just about anybody in the market for a larger crossover. VW is clearly “in it to win it.”
Specifications
- Engine: 3.6-liter VR6
- Horsepower: 276
- Torque: 266 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 7.9 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 16.0 seconds @ 89 mph
- EPA: 17 mpg city / 23 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 17.3 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 7.5 tons/yr
2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
It’s A Turbo GT With No Turbos Or Even An Engine
In an era when even mass market EVs have mind-bending acceleration, how do performance-minded brands such as Porsche stand out? Well, you take things to an even higher level of road-going insanity. Hold on for this one! The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT just changed the game again.
When the original Porsche Taycan arrived for 2020, it did not disappoint. We blasted the Turbo S version to 60 in 2.8 seconds and hustled that hefty Hoss around Roebling Road Raceway with 911-like proficiency. None of that was enough for Porsche. So, for 2025, the Taycan gets more range, more style, more tech, and of course it does it all faster than before too. And that’s before we even get to this Porsche Taycan Turbo GT which is new to the lineup.
For our return trip to Roebling Road, there was a threat of a major winter storm about to impact our track time, so we wasted none of it, hitting the track early and often. And it’s still amazing how this big battery on wheels can feel so Porsche like. No other brand has been able to accomplish a similar feat. We laud BMW for even coming close with the i4, but here you get the full capable and confident Porsche experience; even the brakes feel incredibly natural and powerful, ceramic brakes are standard with the Turbo GT.
Having said that, it remains a very heavy vehicle, so while you’re hustling it around the track it does tend to feel more like work than fun. Many EVs dial back the power as soon as you get up to speed, but here in the Turbo GT, it never seemed to let up, building to the point we reached over 170 mph on Roebling’s front straight, and the way it powers out of corners is otherworldly.
Now, while it does absolutely shred on a racetrack, it really feels best just high-speed sweeping your way through life on some scenic roads through the countryside. This Turbo GT’s 760-kW dual-motor setup cranks out 1,019 horsepower and 914 lb-ft of torque with Launch Control, which allows for sprinting to 60 in 2.2 seconds and clearing the quarter-mile in less than 10. But alas, that winter storm arrived and covered the track in snow before we got a chance to verify that.
You get the full capable and confident Porsche experience.
All Taycans get a new rear motor for ’25, along with updated software and improvements to the cooling system. And guess what? It charges faster too, now accepting up to 320 kW, getting it to 80% in as little as 18 minutes. There’s a 30% boost to the energy capture from regen braking as well, now up to 400 kW. What the Taycan desperately needed was more range, because who wants all this fun to ever stop; and it has been increased by as much as 35% throughout the lineup, now delivering as many as 318 miles; 276 for this Turbo GT.
The Turbo GT features a unique front splitter and active rear spoiler, but all Taycans get revised styling for ’25 including upgraded lighting and a revised front clip that both improves aerodynamics and accentuates the Taycan’s substantial width. All wheels have been aerodynamically optimized as well.
Things inside look mostly the same, but they have improved the functionality of their multimedia setup, moved some controls around, and provided more standard content. It’s a borderline luxury car experience as far as amenities and tech go, yet it still has a purposeful feel to it; and whether things are covered in Race-Tex or real leather everything looks and feels great. Gauges are of course all virtual now, but they can still have a traditional look if you prefer. You really have to duck down to get into the rear seats, but space is plentiful; and with a pair of trunks, there’s abundant luggage space too.
Using 41 kilowatts of electricity for every 100 miles, the Turbo GT earns a fair Efficiency Rating. There are now more options than ever across the Taycan lineup, and that’s even before you even get to Cross Turismos and Sport Turismos. So, while this Turbo GT may cost $231,995 to start, you can get largely the same experience for as little as $101,395 for a base Taycan.
The 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT is more than just a fantastic EV; it’s a great car period, and even a terrific Porsche. With the recently released Macan Electric SUV and the upcoming Boxster and Cayman EVs, more than any other brand, Porsche is giving us reasons not to fear the electrified future.
Specifications
As Tested
- Motor Setup: Dual Motor
- Battery Size: 105 kWh
- EPA Range: up to 276 miles
- Horsepower: 1,019
- Torque: 914 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph (est.): 2.2 seconds