2024 Volkswagen Atlas

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: original test
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system

Evaluation criteria	Rating
LATCH ease of use

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2018-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE with Technology 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year. The ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, introduced in the 2020 model year. The Cross Sport is derived from the Atlas, but it has only two rows of seats instead of three.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1717
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	8
Footrest (cm)	8
Left toepan (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	4
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	6
Lower instrument panel (cm)	7

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEN1717
Head
HIC-15	516
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.0
Extension bending moment (Nm)	9
Maximum Nij	0.35
Chest maximum compression (mm)	23
Femur (kN)
Left	3.1
Right	0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	8
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	1
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.46
Right	0.50
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.1
Right	0.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	77
Right	115

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas S 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year. The ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, introduced in the 2020 model year. The Cross Sport is derived from the Atlas, but it has only two rows of seats instead of three.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame and dashboard after the crash test indicates that the passenger’s survival space was maintained well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the passenger dummy’s head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The passenger’s space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP1814
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	9
Footrest (cm)	14
Right toepan (cm)	11
Center toepan (cm)	7
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	4
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	3
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Upper dash (cm)	6
Right lower dash (cm)	7

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP1814
Head
HIC-15	397
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm)	15
Maximum Nij	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	19
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	4.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	7
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	2
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.60
Right	0.78
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	3.4
Right	2.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	105
Right	43

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEP1814
Head
HIC-15	205
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm)	14
Maximum Nij	0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm)	29
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.29
Right	0.47
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.3
Right	0.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	46
Right	65

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2018-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas SE 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen.The ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, introduced in the 2020 model year. The Cross Sport is derived from the Atlas, but it has only two rows of seats instead of three.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1710
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	8
Left (cm)	10
Center (cm)	9
Right (cm)	8
Brake pedal (cm)	6
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	2
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTF1710
Head
HIC-15	243
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.5
Extension bending moment (Nm)	9
Maximum Nij	0.27
Chest maximum compression (mm)	30
Legs
Femur force - left (kN)	2.1
Femur force - right (kN)	1.3
Knee displacement - left (mm)	0
Knee displacement - right (mm)	1
Maximum tibia index - left	0.48
Maximum tibia index - right	0.74
Tibia axial force - left (kN)	2.6
Tibia axial force - right (kN)	2.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	95
Right	88

About the original moderate overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2022-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SEL R-line 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Forces on the driver dummy's lower right leg were high enough to indicate the likelihood of injuries.

The rear passenger dummy's head came close to contacting the front seatback, which increases the risk of head injuries.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck and chest. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2201
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	5
Left (cm)	7
Center (cm)	9
Right (cm)	6
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	1
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	-2
Rearward (cm)	-5
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2201
Head
HIC-15	245
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	8
Maximum Nij	0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Femur (kN)
Left	0.1
Right	0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	0
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.30
Right	1.17
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.5
Right	2.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	71
Right	no data

Test ID	CEF2201
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.4
Compression (kN)	0.4
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	40
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	6.2
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.1
Right femur compression	0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2018-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Volkswagen Atlas SE 4-door 4wd

The Volkswagen Atlas was introduced in the 2018 model year. The ratings also apply to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, introduced in the 2020 model year. The Cross Sport is derived from the Atlas, but it has only two rows of seats instead of three.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2201
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-29.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2201
Head
HIC-15	42
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.7
Compression (kN)	0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	21
Lateral force (kN)	1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	28
Average deflection (mm)	22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.01
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.26
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	5.4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CES2201
Head
HIC-15	163
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.8
Compression (kN)	0.6
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	11
Lateral force (kN)	0.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	39
Average deflection (mm)	26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	4.29
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.53
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	3.8

About the side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

SEL trim
SEL Premium trim

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	SEL trim SEL Premium trim
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	97.6 m	None
Straightaway left edge	56.7 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	76.6 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	50.2 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	64.8 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	58.9 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	160.1 m
Straightaway left edge	181.5 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	82.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	73.4 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	64.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	59.7 m

Trim level(s)

SE trim
SE trim equipped with Technology package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	SE trim SE trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	No
Overall rating Applies to 2024 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	97.1 m	None
Straightaway left edge	56.8 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	88.1 m	None
250m radius left curve, left edge	57.0 m	0.8%
150m radius right curve, right edge	78.1 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	59.6 m	5.1%

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	148.8 m
Straightaway left edge	166.1 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	88.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	86.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	77.4 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	68.5 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Front Assist (with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Monitoring)

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.
In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 28 mph when using its high beams and a warning was issued 2 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 2 mph and a warning was issued 0.6 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SE w/ Technology
Seat type	leatherette

This vehicle has 3 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 2 additional seating positions with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	SE w/ Technology
Seat type	leatherette

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	too deep in seat
	too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
4
4	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
6
6	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available

Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees)	72
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	4-6
Force (lbs)	could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees)	81
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	36
Clearance angle (degrees)	81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	6
Clearance angle (degrees)	70
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	No
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	25
Clearance angle (degrees)	69
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	No
Depth (cm)	2-4
Force (lbs)	could not measure
Clearance angle (degrees)	71
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 31

6

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	No
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Seat position 33

4

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

2024 Volkswagen Atlas

midsize SUV / 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Seat belts & child restraints

Other available safety features

Small overlap front

Driver-side

Passenger-side

Moderate overlap front: original test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Side: updated test

Headlights

Trim level(s)

Trim level(s)

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Child seat anchors