Volkswagen Atlas SE 4motion MPG by year — every rating on record
The Volkswagen Atlas SE 4motion has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2024 to 2026. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (2024) and its thirstiest returned 21 mpg (2025). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #145 of 176 (18th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2025 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #181 of 194 (7th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| 2026 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #163 of 188 (13th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small 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 SE 4motion placed highest in 2024 at #145 of 176, and lowest in 2025 at #181 of 194. It spent 0 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 3 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 20 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 407 | 4/10 |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 19 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 420 | 4/10 |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S8) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged, start-stop | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 407 | 5/10 |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 → 2025 | 22 → 21 mpg | -1 mpg | 548 gal |
| 2025 → 2026 | 21 → 22 mpg | +1 mpg | 523 gal |
What Atlas SE 4motion fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas SE 4motion burns 523 to 523 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,568 | $1,568 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,830 | $1,830 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,091 | $2,091 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2026 model year is $2,850 to $2,850 a year in fuel, or $3,000 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 22 mpg the Volkswagen Atlas SE 4motion is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $339 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Volkswagen nameplates
Every Volkswagen model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.