Tank Ledger

Volkswagen Atlas 4motion MPG by year — every rating on record

The Volkswagen Atlas 4motion has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 2018 to 2027. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (2027) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2021). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.

23best combined mpg (2027)
18worst combined mpg (2021)
23latest year best (2027)
10configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2018119 mpg19 mpg#89 of 94 (5th pct)All-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2019119 mpg19 mpg#41 of 81 (50th pct)All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2020119 mpg19 mpg#46 of 92 (51th pct)All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2021222 mpg18 mpg#67 of 104 (36th pct)All-Wheel DriveRegularStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2022222 mpg19 mpg#127 of 151 (16th pct)All-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2023222 mpg20 mpg#141 of 166 (15th pct)All-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2027123 mpg23 mpg#44 of 49 (10th pct)All-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Volkswagen Atlas 4motion placed highest in 2019 at #41 of 81, and lowest in 2023 at #141 of 166. It spent 2 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 10 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20272.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop202723500.012.9$2,7003885/10
20233.6L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, start-stop182320575.014.9$3,1004504/10
20232.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop202422522.713.5$2,8504115/10
20223.6L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, start-stop172319605.315.7$3,3004604/10
20222.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop202422522.713.5$2,8504115/10
20213.6L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, start-stop162218638.916.5$3,4504853/10
20212.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, turbocharged, start-stop202422522.713.5$2,8504124/10
20203.6L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, start-stop162219605.315.7$3,3004803/10
20193.6L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, start-stop172319605.315.7$3,3004613/10
20183.6L 6-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) RegularSIDI, start-stop172319605.315.7$3,3004543/10

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2020 → 202119 → 22 mpg+3 mpg523 gal
2023 → 202722 → 23 mpg+1 mpg500 gal

What Atlas 4motion fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas 4motion burns 500 to 500 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.

Pump priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,500$1,500$0
$3.50/gal$1,750$1,750$0
$4.00/gal$2,000$2,000$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2027 model year is $2,700 to $2,700 a year in fuel, or $2,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Across the 311 nameplates EPA classifies as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, the median best combined rating is 27 mpg. At 23 mpg the Volkswagen Atlas 4motion is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $259 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Volkswagen nameplates

Every Volkswagen model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.