Discover the Best Volkswagen Features for Traveling with Kids: A 2018 Atlas Review
Traveling with kids often requires a vehicle equipped to handle everything from car seats and cargo to keeping everyone comfortable and connected. Finding the right family SUV can make road trips and daily commutes significantly smoother. Based on a hands-on experience, let’s explore some of the Best Volkswagen Features For Traveling With Kids found in the 2018 VW Atlas, highlighting why this SUV became a strong contender for family transportation.
The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas was designed with families in mind, offering a blend of space, technology, and safety tailored for the demands of carrying passengers and their belongings. Testing the vehicle involved navigating diverse terrains, from winding roads to highways, providing a practical insight into its capabilities as a family vehicle. This review focuses on the specific attributes that cater directly to the needs of families on the go.
Driving the 2018 VW Atlas in Boerne, Texas
Spacious Interior Designed for Families
One of the most critical aspects of an SUV for traveling with kids is interior space. The 2018 VW Atlas excels here, offering seating for up to seven adults comfortably. The third row is genuinely usable, providing ample space even for taller passengers. For families with young children, the ability to easily fit three car seats across the second row (especially models equipped with captain’s chairs) is a major advantage, making carpooling or transporting multiple children convenient.
Generous legroom and headroom throughout the cabin ensure that even on long journeys, passengers of all sizes can ride without feeling cramped. Furthermore, the flexible cargo space is a significant benefit. Whether you need room for strollers, luggage, sports equipment, or groceries, the Atlas provides various configurations to accommodate your needs, making it ideal for everything from weekend getaways to everyday errands. The practicality extends to accessing this space, with a remote lift trunk door and an optional hands-free power liftgate allowing easy access when your hands are full – a common scenario when managing children.
Interior of the 2018 VW Atlas SUV
Technology Enhancing the Family Travel Experience
Keeping kids entertained and connected on the road is crucial, and the 2018 VW Atlas includes technology features that significantly help. The digital cockpit provides drivers with customizable instrumentation, including a large navigation map display right in front of them, controlled easily from the steering wheel. This keeps essential information readily accessible, reducing distractions while driving.
The touchscreen entertainment and navigation system, complete with App Connect® for smartphone integration, allows families to access their preferred navigation apps, stream music, and stay connected. The optional 480-watt Fender Premium Audio System can turn road trips into enjoyable listening experiences. Thoughtful additions like remote start, 3-zone automatic climate control (ensuring everyone is comfortable regardless of their seat), and multiple USB ports throughout the cabin address practical needs, allowing kids to charge their devices and keeping the climate controlled evenly. Rear view and overhead cameras simplify parking and maneuvering, adding an extra layer of convenience when navigating busy parking lots with children in tow.
2018 Volkswagen Atlas digital cockpit allows you to toggle through the instrumentation, switch driver settings, large navigation map
2018 VW Atlas review, rear view camera
Driver assistance features are another technological highlight beneficial for family travel, contributing to safer and less stressful journeys. Systems like lane changing assistance, blind spot monitoring, park assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic alerts provide an extra layer of safety and convenience, helping drivers navigate confidently, especially with precious cargo on board.
Front seat and cargo space in the trunk of the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
Prioritizing Safety for Family Peace of Mind
When traveling with kids, safety is non-negotiable. Volkswagen’s commitment to high safety standards is evident in the 2018 Atlas. The vehicle is constructed with a high-strength steel exterior frame and a front-end safety cage designed to protect occupants in a collision.
An intelligent crash response system is a crucial safety feature for families. In the event of a collision, it automatically unlocks the doors, turns off the fuel pump, and activates the hazard lights, potentially aiding quick exit or rescue. The Automatic Post-Collision Braking System is another impressive feature, designed to slow the vehicle down after a primary impact, reducing the likelihood and severity of subsequent collisions. These built-in safety measures provide parents with significant peace of mind, knowing the vehicle is equipped to offer robust protection.
2018 VW Atlas SUV front dash interior with navigation
Performance and Handling Suitable for Family Adventures
While features are important, how a vehicle drives also impacts the travel experience. The 2018 VW Atlas offers a smooth and stable ride, which is particularly appreciated when traveling with children who might be sensitive to bumpy roads. Whether navigating city streets, highways, or even light off-road conditions, the handling feels secure and comfortable.
Available with either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 3.6-liter VR6 engine, the Atlas provides sufficient power for daily driving and highway merging, even when fully loaded with passengers and cargo. The 8-speed automatic transmission delivers smooth shifts. For families in varied climates or those planning trips to challenging terrains, the available 4MOTION® all-wheel-drive system on the V6 adds confidence and capability. A towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs also means families can bring along campers, boats, or trailers for more adventurous getaways.
A look inside the new 2018 VW Atlas, a great family SUV
The 2018 VW Atlas: A Strong Candidate for Family Travel
Based on its design, technology, safety features, and performance, the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas presents a compelling case as a well-equipped family SUV. The focus on interior space, flexible seating and cargo options, family-friendly technology integrations like comprehensive climate control and connectivity, and advanced safety systems make it a practical choice for traveling with kids. With a starting price point noted around $33,500 at its launch, it positioned itself as an affordable option packed with features valuable to families. Its blend of capability and convenience caters directly to the needs of modern families on the go.
