Volkswagen interiors are a contentious level of concern nowadays. The corporate went all-in on a brand new minimalistic theme that eschewed buttons, absolutely embraced an all-new infotainment system and customarily regarded futuristic. As you in all probability already know, it was not met with reward to say the least. From the infuriating unlit temp and quantity sliders, to a sluggish and poorly laid out touchscreen consumer interface, the cabin controls have been dangerous sufficient to be a dealbreaker for a lot of. Fortunately, Volkswagen has now backtracked and is making huge, largely profitable modifications by reintroducing buttons amongst different “illuminating” updates within the pursuit of creating the brand new interiors user-friendly. Now, you may be considering that because the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and its two-row Atlas Cross Sport sibling have been considerably up to date for 2024 that they’d be getting those self same course-correcting updates. That’d be a no, because the Atlas launched earlier than the primary new VW launched with its new interface, the ID.7. Nonetheless, it is a disgrace that different 2024 mannequin 12 months VWs get the brand new system, most notably the ID.4, and the 2024 Atlas does not.
It is true the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport get a brand new inside design with fewer buttons, larger screens and a contemporary, minimalistic type clearly associated in idea and look to what you will discover within the ID.4 and GTI. As you may see beneath, the result’s a remarkably completely different cabin for higher and for worse. The “worse” bit is said to the truth that the earlier cabin was considerably simpler to make use of, even with older tech and a smaller touchscreen. Crucially, the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport additionally do not get those self same updates that so improved the ID.4. Successfully, Volkswagen is setting itself up for yet one more replace, hopefully before later.Â
Upon settling into the SEL Premium R-Line’s quilted leather-based seats – they’re actually fairly good and stylish wanting – the focus is the widescreen 12-inch infotainment system perched on and nearly floating on the sprint. In contrast to the earliest variations of this technique, it’s fast as well up and react. It doesn’t, nevertheless, get the brand new software program, residence display and completely docked band of local weather controls on the backside and customizable menu shortcuts on the highest that you will discover within the ID.4. You’ll be able to see the distinction between the 2 beneath, with the Atlas on the left and 2024 ID.4 on the precise.Â
I’d argue, nevertheless, that the best sin was the darned local weather and radio controls built-in into the panel beneath that display. They aren’t illuminated, which means you may’t really see what you are alleged to run your finger over at evening. The ID.4, up to date 2025 GTI and new ID.7 get these illuminated, however that does not change the truth that making an attempt to alter the temperature cabin or shortly use the slider quantity is a large ache even for those who can see them. It is nonetheless relatively hostile to the consumer to make them slide their finger forwards and backwards on a small contact goal, particularly whereas shifting. You’ll shortly discover unintentional inputs occur much more usually than they need to. Even the heated and cooled seat controls aren’t nice, as they’re tucked into the bottom-left portion of the touchscreen (not useful for the passenger) always and have a tendency to lag once you initially begin the automobile up. This was corrected with the up to date system, however once more, the Atlas does not have that.Â
Oh, and for those who have been questioning the place the defrost buttons have been, try the headlight contact controls (due to course they’re) to the left of the steering wheel. Once more, that placement is simply unnecessarily troublesome to seek out, particularly for those who’re driving and have to shortly get defrost energy. Making it a contact management requires the motive force to bodily have a look at the management panel to press it for worry of brushing up towards the headlight management – I may virtually forgive this placement if it have been a button that was simply discovered by contact alone, however as-is, no thanks. Oh, and for those who’re additionally questioning if these defrost controls transfer again to the place they belong within the up to date infotainment system, they don’t.
The Atlas’ new heart console is at the least an enormous improve in design. Eliminating the tall gear lever for a small toggle nub has led to a number of usability enhancements, most notably the cavernous storage beneath the floating console. It appears to be like good for a handbag, a small takeout order or any variety of objects you may not need flying across the automobile. The opposite facilities corresponding to a safe wi-fi cellphone charger, fast-charging USB-C ports (45-watt) and sizable cupholders are all nice to see, too. Sadly, the house just under the touchscreen that was beforehand used for handy knobs and buttons is now only for air vents and fast toggle contact controls to carry up menus on the touchscreen.
Talking of air vents, although, the Atlas’ aspect vents up entrance certain are a neat improve, too. They’re dual-stacked vents that can help you direct air to a number of places, say one towards the window and one at your face, or no matter configuration you could choose.Â
One other huge constructive is the steering wheel, which is the course-correcting replace the Atlas did get – the truth is, VW averted the issue altogether, because the Atlas by no means provided VW’s touch-capacitive steering wheel controls. It incorporates a plethora of actual buttons which can be each straightforward to make use of by really feel and make up for among the infotainment management’s downsides. For instance, any proprietor will seemingly discover themselves completely utilizing steering wheel controls for quantity and in search of functions. The controls for the ten.25-inch digital cluster are discovered on the wheel, too, and whereas they take a second to study, it’s easy-going when you get the dangle of them. I actually just like the customization VW permits for each its gauges and the infotainment system, too – having the ability to select from what appears like limitless colour themes is one thing we should always see extra usually now that the majority new vehicles are crammed with at the least two large screens.
For followers of fake wooden trim, that’s gone, nevertheless it’s been changed with a elaborate back-lit piece (above, backside proper) on the sprint that basically sparkles at evening. All of the piano black plastic splashed round each the middle console and throughout the sprint is an actual downer for long-term sturdiness, however when clear, it does make for a shiny look and fairly footage.
Interfaces apart, the Atlas Cross Sport remains to be the funky and practical SUV it was earlier than the refresh. Which means it has an exorbitantly giant rear seat with a helpful recline operate for even better consolation. The absolutely loaded mannequin I had even got here with heated rear seats, and the black/white two-tone leather-based is a beautiful combo when mixed with the Aurora Crimson Metallic paint of this tester. There’s an inside choice with blue accents on the seats (seen above, high row) that’d be a superb look when mixed with the blue paint choice, too.
That duality of excellent and dangerous sums up the Atlas Cross Sport’s inside in a nutshell, too. There’s loads of good baked into the brand new design, however there’s simply as a lot frustration to spoil what could possibly be a relatively attractive choice. Its exterior appears to be like excellent; the turbo-four-cylinder is powerful, and it is usually a nice SUV to drive round. Sadly, its inside management points may very properly be deal-breakers, simply as they have been for the ID.4. It appears seemingly that the Atlas replace was properly below approach as soon as Volkswagen beginning listening to such sturdy complaints concerning the new inside path, not to mention as soon as it got here up with the primary wave of fixes. Nonetheless, it is nonetheless disappointing that the 2024 Atlas reveals up and isn’t solely worse in some methods than the pre-refresh model, however a number of different 2024 VWs as properly.Â
Associated video:
