Volkswagen is moving forward with a new Atlas crossover for the United States, eyeing a 2026 debut, according to Motor1. The publication indicates that development has already commenced on the next Atlas, and while the exterior will echo the styling language of the current generation, buyers will gain the option of an electric version alongside the gasoline model.
In the early part of 2023, Volkswagen refreshed both the Atlas and its sportier sibling, the Atlas Sport, with a new front-end design. The automaker also worked to distinguish the two variants more clearly. The Atlas Sport showcases a bolder radiator grille, while the cabin gains a digital instrument cluster and a windshield projection for vehicle indicators, enhancing the driving experience.
The Atlas lineup has seen powertrain updates as well. The naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 was removed from the lineup, leaving the 2.0-liter TSI turbocharged engine as the main gasoline option, now producing 269 horsepower. Both Atlas variants continue to pair with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering smooth shifts and confident highway performance that Canadian and US buyers expect from a family crossover.
Earlier reports also touched on Lada’s X-Cross 5, with indications that sales would begin before the end of 2023, a note that underscores a broader trend in crossovers and crossover-styled SUVs gaining ground in global markets.