[Subiesailor]

I think you also have to look into the resale value especially if your switching out cars more often 3-5 years and then some. Take the BMW X5 for example. The price is over inflated and they suffer on the resale market as a result They retail in the 50's 60's and at the 5 year mark you are lucky if you get half.

If the Ascent proves to be reliable, as it seems most Subaru's are then they should have a strong presence on the resale market.

VW also has some questionable business practices so I am not sure if I would jump on VW until they redeem themselves a bit.

^ This is why I buy used Mercedes, Lexus and Toyota trucks.

I never buy used Subarus for one reason. When I sell my Subarus they are well used. I buy new Subarus and don’t care about resale value.

 

[irvineboy]

I test drove the Volkswagen atlas today. To tell you the truth, I was actually impressed with the brakes and the technology. I liked the digital instrument gauge in the safety features. It was spacious but the leather seats felt a little cheap. The only thing that was bad was the power. I believe the 0 to 60 takes about 7.5 seconds which is pretty slow. It was right around $50,000 but you can get them for 44,000 for the top-of-the-line. They also have a six-year and 72,000 mile warranty bumper-to-bumper which is pretty sweet. It used to be half that.

 

[BoxerRules]

VW also has some questionable business practices so I am not sure if I would jump on VW until they redeem themselves a bit.

I just saw the first episode of the “Dirty Money” documentary series on Netflix that goes into detail about the VW emissions scandal. It’s very well done, I highly recommend watching it. After seeing it though I’m not sure I’d ever want to buy one.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Ascent Beats Atlas on Braking and Acceleration

I test drove the Volkswagen atlas today. To tell you the truth I was actually impressed with the brakes and the technology. I liked the digital instrument gauge in the safety features. It was spacious but the leather seats felt a little cheap. The only thing that was bad was the power. I believe the 0 to 60 takes about 7.5 seconds which is pretty slow. It was right around $50,000 but you can get them for 44,000 for the top-of-the-line. They also have a six-year and 72,000 mile warranty bumper-to-bumper which is pretty sweet. Are used to be half that.

Interestingly, it's worse than the Ascent in various performance metrics. Here's two important ones. As you noted, acceleration isn't as good in the Atlas. But, as for the brakes, as nice as the Atlas' brakes may be, the Ascent's are better.

BRAKING:

• Ascent 60mph braking distance: 119 feet
• Atlas 60mph braking distance: 139 feet

0-60 ACCELERATION:

• Ascent 0-60mph: 6.9-7.3 seconds
• Atlas V6 0-60mph: 7.9 seconds

This should also go towards the comments from the people who want a less capable 6 cylinder in the Ascent. The Atlas is LIGHTER than the Ascent by 100-200 pounds (4,336 to 4,502 lbs for the Atlas vs 4,430 to 4,608 lbs for the Ascent), and yet the Ascent SMOKES the Atlas by 0.6 seconds (Touring, Limited) to a whole second (Premium, Base).

And, Eyesight is standard on all Ascent trim levels, while VW's system is not (and is not rated as well as the Eyesight system)

 

[Dandy]

They also have a six-year and 72,000 mile warranty bumper-to-bumper which is pretty sweet. Are used to be half that.

You would need it. VW drive-lines seem to be solid, but the quality of everything else, is questionable at best. Based on my previous VW experiences, you will be in the shop often for warranty work following 50K. It will be little things, like switches, sensors, door panel material peeling away from the panel...but they all add up.

My wife owned a CPO 2006 Passat. Normally this car had 36K warranty, we purchased it with 21K for 1/2 price of new and being CPO had 72K warranty. It was in for warranty work often, again the little things and since they were under warranty, we may have been a bit nit-picky. I looked at the dollars that were being written off through warranty and realized that it would practically cover a new car payment. We had the last oil change done with the last set of warranty work just shy of 72K and traded it at 76K before the next change was due. Traded for a 2014 Outback. Had that until 32K with ZERO issues when we traded for a 2017 Outback. My wife will most likely be a solid Subaru owner for many years to come.

I would give VW a chance again if they could get me the Atlas with the TDI in it. I would drive it through warranty and trade just before it was up. For diesel torque and mileage I would be willing to make a few extra trips to the service department.

 

[MAGNUMB]

I test drove the Atlas and liked the design and the overall packaging was very nice....i could not however get over how weak and unrefined the engine felt. Has to be one of worst V6 I've driven in awhile....I was expecting alot more from VW as I've owned a Passat and engine was a jem as far as performance and smooth power delivery.

 

[bmac]

I test drove the Volkswagen atlas today. To tell you the truth I was actually impressed with the brakes and the technology. I liked the digital instrument gauge in the safety features. It was spacious but the leather seats felt a little cheap.

Are you sure they were leather seats? Most trim levels have fake leather that they have called leatherette.

 

[Orestes85]

Are you sure they were leather seats? Most trim levels have fake leather that they have called leatherette.

My Wife's '16 beetle has the fake leather; it's awful...but she loves that car so I'm probably going to be dealing with it for a while since we just paid it off. I keep trying to hint she should get an Impreza or a Crosstrek but I haven't been successful yet.

 

[irvineboy]

I test drove the Volkswagen atlas today. To tell you the truth I was actually impressed with the brakes and the technology. I liked the digital instrument gauge in the safety features. It was spacious but the leather seats felt a little cheap.

Are you sure they were leather seats? Most trim levels have fake leather that they have called leatherette.

The SEL Premium is supposed to have real leather. Agreed on how weak the car felt. They have to change especially for a car this heavy.

 

[PNW]

Actually in regards to the braking distance:

BRAKING:
Ascent 60mph braking distance: 119 feet
Atlas 60mph braking distance: 115 feet (Edmunds)

BRAKING:
Ascent 70mph braking distance: 178 feet (Car and Driver)
Atlas 70mph braking distance: 174 feet (Car and Driver)

 

[norway]

Actually in regards to the braking distance:

BRAKING:
Ascent 60mph braking distance: 119 feet
Atlas 60mph braking distance: 115 feet (Edmunds)

BRAKING:
Ascent 70mph braking distance: 178 feet (Car and Driver)
Atlas 70mph braking distance: 174 feet (Car and Driver)

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/volkswagen/atlas/2018/2018-volkswagen-atlas-first-test-review/

Part of the confusion may be from this review from MotorTrend where they did get 139 feet braking from 60mph. They do make a small note in the narrative that the test surface they used was very new and may have affected results slightly.

 

[eckowear1]

I loved the Atlas look! I didn't like it's transmission nor it's fake leather. Those were just easy enough for me to put it aside. My wifes friend who let us test drive hers a few months ago asked last weekend if I had gone to look at one. I was in a hurry, and just said, I picked something with better gas mileage (Top Level trim comparison). I really wanted to tell her all about the Ascent, but shes the type that wont know much about what I am saying in detail about automobiles so it would have been pointless conversation. I'm happy knowing I got the better vehicle.

 

[Nhwheelman]

I attended a 5K charity run yesterday in Concord NH and set up my Ambassador booth with an Ascent loaner from a local Subaru Retailer. An attendee approached me to discuss the Ascent and check it out. He is a current Atlas owner and expressed extreme regret in buying one. He said the vehicle has been in the shop for multiple warranty repairs...... “to a point where everyone in the service depot know him on a first name basis and say “you here again?” He will be buying a ne Ascent within the next couple of weeks.

 

[Percy Garris]

we came very close to buying an SEL premium, this had real leather and had that really nice black and tan two-tone interior. While I don't think the leather in the Ascent is super luxurious feeling, the leather in the Volkswagen just felt cheap.

I was surprised that the 6 cylinder in the atlas makes its max torque at 2750rpm. It really didn't feel like it had much until you got to about 3,500. I think that's a vehicle where a diesel engine, even with lower horsepower would have benefited the feel of the car immensely, especially around town where it really felt like it didn't have anything unless you really stood on it. it didn't seem so bad once you were moving, but it did feel really weak off the line. I'm assuming by the rather large size of the fuel access flap, that the intent was to put a diesel in it until they got busted.

 

[catem07]

The Atlas does have the second row tilt on the captains chairs, which is better for big families with lots of kids in car seats since it's easier to access the third row with a rear-facing car seat installed in the captains chair.

 

[Sirk98]

We test drove Atlas before deciding on Ascent

2019 Atlas 4motion w Tech vs 2020 Ascent Premium package 12, both in 7 passenger configuration

Atlas Pros:

• Slight edge on curb appeal
• VERY comfortable throughout the cabin
• Attractive incentives to push us to a trim almost comparable to Ascent Limited (minus leather)
• Cargo space

Atlas Negatives:

• Felt BIG. Felt more like a truck than a car
• Major reliability concerns based on research and consumer reports scoring
• My wife HATED the front end when parallel parking (important in our area). Hard to judge passenger side of the nose from the drivers seat. MAYBE you get used to it but...
• Gas mileage wasnt wonderful

Ascent Pros:

• Felt a lot like more like driving a car vs a truck--almost like driving a slightly bigger Forester (which we currently drive)
• Excellent ratings on Consumer Reports
• Excellent gas mileage, based on ratings
• Easier to park
• Vs the Ascent, there is a CHANCE we might consider buying this at the end of the lease (highly reliable car)

Ascent Negatives:

• Not a whole lot of cargo space with third row up--less than my Forester? With third row down, I am guessing that cargo would be about same as Forester/slightly more..?
• For the targeted lease price point, Ascent felt more trimmed down than the Atlas. This is likely due to :
• Subaru (especially this new model type, the Ascent) "doesnt lease well"-- no incentives (I did discover the VIP program and loyalty coupons, thanks to this forum!) really
• (biggest con for me) felt more cramped inside than the Atlas. WAY better than the Highlander (test drove that as well) for the third row, but I had to remove my cap (I am 6' 0") as the button on top was pressing into my skull as my head was at ceiling height. Also, the arm rests in the third row waste precious real estate. Two medium-large adults in the third row mean potentially angling knees toward center, I would think.

In the end, I chose the 'better vehicle' in terms of holding its value and having the best shot at minimal reliability issues in the future. I liked the way the Ascent drove better than the Atlas. I felt passenger comfort goes to the Atlas. But then I remembered that I wouldnt be the one sitting in the back

 

[columnshift]

atlas is big and nice BUT my experience with VW has been poor non warranty costs are huge
i did a A/C service 55 and 60k mile service on my 2015 OB both for $450 my honda was 950
my two subarus 2015 OB and 2019 forester only oil changes nothing else
I hate hate hate going to the dealer i want reliable. also subaru much better resale value

 

[Ascentlover4me]

I was considering the Atlas when it first launched. To get AWD, fuel economy takes a big hit because they are using an old V6. No AWD 4cyl option.

Liked the interior a lot but that's because my gf had a Jetta at the time.

VW maintenance costs are insane especially here in SoCal.

Subaru, Toyota, or Honda, I believe, are way better choices

I'm just now reading your out on the Vzzw

 

[Ascentlover4me]

VzzwThey do in fact make a VW Atlas with AWD. I was going to buy an Atlas.

zWife decided to try it.Well she loved it enough to buy it
T