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Used car guide
Used Volkswagen Atlas: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Volkswagen Atlas from 2018 to 2025: what each year typically sells for (about $15,000 to $35,000), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2020, 2022–2025. Look harder at or skip 2018–2019, 2021.
2018–2025 Volkswagen Atlas
A big three-row SUV with an adult-friendly third row and massive cargo space.
Years to target: 2020, 2022–2025. Look harder at or skip: 2018–2019, 2021. It has a below-average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $15,000 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2019 | $16,500 | Skip | 5 of 5 | ~80,000 |
| 2020 | $18,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~70,000 |
| 2021 | $20,500 | Look harder | 5 of 5 | ~60,000 |
| 2022 | $23,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~50,000 |
| 2023 | $27,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~40,000 |
| 2024 | $30,500* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~30,000 |
| 2025 | $35,000* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~20,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Skip 2018–2019. Early Atlas models drew more electrical and fuel system complaints than later years.
- 2018: owner complaints spike (461, mostly the electrical system).
- 2019: owner complaints spike (478, mostly the airbags).
- 2021: owner complaints spike (472, mostly the electrical system).
- Fuel economy is mediocre, especially with the V6. From 2024 only a turbo four is offered, and it is stronger than the old base engine.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the SE with Technology: it adds adaptive cruise, a power liftgate and remote start over the SE. The V6 with 4Motion is preferable for towing and winter driving.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from the start of this generation (2018).
- Adaptive cruise control: standard from 2021, optional from 2018.
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from the start of this generation (2018).
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Highlander 2020 · $28,500
- Mazda CX-9 2021–2023 · $23,000–$29,000
- Lexus GX 2015–2016 · $24,000–$25,500
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.