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The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is a great example of a midsize SUV and amply demonstrates why the vehicle class is incredibly popular.
The Atlas has three rows of seating for up to seven passengers, a strong engine, and a roomy interior that could hold a lot of cargo. An LED touchscreen lets you control the infotainment.
A standard configuration of four doors and a rear liftgate is the same that you would find on virtually any SUV. The interior holds up to 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space that expands to 96.8 cubic feet with the passenger seats folded flat.
The Atlas offers your choice between a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces up to 235 horsepower or a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 that pumps out 276 horsepower.
An eight-speed automatic sends the power to a standard front-wheel-drive (FWD) or an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD). The Atlas can do 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and is rated for 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.
The four-cylinder enables the Atlas to tow up to 2,000 pounds while the V6 enables up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity.
It costs between $33,900 and $51,070 across eight trim levels.
Three Best Competing Models
While the Atlas is an ideal midsize SUV, many competitors make models that are just as good. Some models have distinct advantages over the Atlas but also possess disadvantages. The following are three of the best alternative midsize SUV models.
1. Jeep Grand Cherokee
The legendary Jeep Grand Cherokee helped to establish the luxury SUV as a permanently popular vehicle platform.
Ample passenger seating for five plus two strong engines define the Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee has a very comfortable interior with a premium infotainment system and LED touchscreen.
The 2022 model is equipped with your choice between a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that puts out 357 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic sends the power to the drive wheels.
The V6 has a standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) with an option for AWD. The V8 comes standard with AWD. The Grand Cherokee can go from 0-60 in 7.5 seconds.
The Grand Cherokee gets an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. It can to up to 6,200 pounds and holds up to 37.7 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 70.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.
Prices range from $38,325 to $58,300 across five trim levels. When you want a midsized SUV with a potent engine and excellent towing and hauling capability, the Grand Cherokee is the best of the bunch.
And it still has that luxurious interior that makes it very comfortable and attractive from the inside as well as outside.
2. Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is an outstanding midsize SUV that has a potent 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood. It delivers up to 295 horsepower and has an eight-speed shiftable automatic transmission that sends the power to a standard FWD.
There is no option for a 4×4 or AWD drivetrain. Three rows of seating hold up to 8 passengers with many options for seating configurations. The Highlander tows up to 5,000 pounds and carries up to 16 cubic feet of cargo that expands to up to 84.3 cubic feet with the passenger seats folded down.
The Highlander is rated for 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. It can do 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and maybe a bit quicker if you take care of the shifting.
Prices range from $35,405 to $47,760 across six trim levels. The Highlander ranks among the best-built and most comfortable SUVs available. It is especially useful if you have a large family or carry a lot of passengers on a regular basis.
3. Kia Telluride
An impressive and naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine delivers up to 291 horsepower and enables the Kia Telluride to go 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. An eight-speed automatic sends that power to the standard FWD. You also could choose an optional AWD drivetrain.
The Telluride tows up to 5,000 pounds and holds 21 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 87 cubic feet. It seats up to eight passengers across three rows of seating and has an LED touchscreen that controls the onboard infotainment.
The Telluride gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. Prices range from $33,090 to $42,990 across four trim levels. The Telluride affirms that the Korean automakers are on par with the world’s best SUV designers and builders.
Its powerful engine gives you V8-like performance, and it very comfortably seats the entire family with room for one or two friends.
Best of the Rest of the Midsized SUVs
Also joining the Volkswagen Atlas as a great all-around midsize SUV are models from many of the best-known car builders on the plant.
Here are nine makes and models that you might consider other than the Atlas, Grand Cherokee, Highlander, or Telluride.
1. Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is one of the first widely successful SUVs and remains a very popular model. Its 2022 model benefits from more potent engine options and greater horsepower. Three rows of seating let it carry up to seven passengers.
A turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine is the base unit and produces 300 horsepower. The Explorer also has options for a naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V6 or a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that pushes the power output to 400 horsepower.
The Explorer has a 10-speed automatic transmission that enables it to do 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. The standard drivetrain gives you rear-wheel-drive with an option for AWD.
Fuel economy is rated at up to 27 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The Explorer tows up to either 5,000 or 5,600 pounds. It holds 18.2 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 87.8 cubic feet with the seats down.
Pricing ranges from $33,245 to $53,610 across nine trim levels.
2. Hyundai Palisade
The Kia Palisade gives you a potent and naturally aspirated 3.8-liter V6 engine that generates up to 291 horsepower and does 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends the power to the standard FWD drivetrain.
An AWD drivetrain is optional, and the Palisade is rated for an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Palisade’s roomy interior seats up to eight passengers across three rows of seating.
It tows up to 5,000 pounds and carries 18 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 86.4 cubic feet with the passenger seats folded flat. Pricing ranges from $33,350 to $47,040 across four trim levels.
3. GMC Acadia
The GMC Acadia has three rows of seating for up to seven passengers and your choice of two great engines. A turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine gives you up to 228 horsepower while an optional 3.6-liter V6 boosts power to 310 horsepower.
A nine-speed shiftable automatic sends the power to the FWD drivetrain in the base model and an optional AWD in three other trim levels. The Acadia does 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds and gets an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
The GMC Acadia tows up to 3,500 or 4,000 pounds and holds 12.8 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 79 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. Pricing ranges from $34,800 to $46,105 across four trim levels.
4. Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot gives you three rows of seating to accommodate up to eight passengers in its comfortable interior. A proven and reliable 3.5-liter V6 gives Honda’s largest SUV up to 280 horsepower.
A nine-speed automatic sends the power to the standard FWD or an optional AWD drivetrain. The Pilot can go from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds and gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
The Pilot tows up to 5,000 pounds and carries up to 16.5 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 83.9 cubic feet with the passenger seats folded down. Pricing ranges from $37,580 to $51,370 across seven trim levels.
5. Chevrolet Traverse
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The 2022 Chevrolet Travers midsize SUV gives you three rows of seating for up to eight passengers in a very roomy cabin that holds a lot of cargo. All models are powered by a proven 3.6-liter V6 that gives you up to 310 horsepower.
A nine-speed automatic sends the power to a standard FWD while AWD also is available. The Travers does 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and gets an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway.
The Traverse holds up to 23 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 98.2 cubic feet. It tows up to 1,500 pounds or 5,000 pounds, depending on your chosen trim level.
Pricing ranges from $33,700 to $51,200 across six trim levels.
6. Mazda CX-9
The 2022 Mazda CX-9 midsize SUV with three rows of seating for up to seven passengers. The CX-9 has a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces up to 227 horsepower when using 87 octane or 250 horsepower with 93 octane fuel.
A six-speed automatic sends the power to the CX-9’s standard FWD or optional AWD drivetrain. The CX-9 does 0-60 in 7.2 seconds and gets an estimated 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
It tows up to 3,500 pounds and holds 14.4 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 71.2 cubic feet with the passenger seats folded. Pricing ranges from $35,280 to $47,210 across six trim levels.
7. Dodge Durango
The 2022 Dodge Durango builds upon the midsize SUV’s already excellent reputation for good power and reliability. It holds up to seven passengers over three rows of seating. Your choice of three very potent engines provides plentiful power.
The Durango holds up to 17.2 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 85.1 cubic feet with the passenger seats folded down. A 3.6-liter V6 produces up to 293 horsepower. A 5.7-liter Hemi V8 gives you 360 horsepower, and a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 tops out at 475 horsepower.
An eight-speed shiftable automatic sends the power to either a standard rear-wheel-drive or an optional AWD drivetrain. The Durango’s towing capacity is rated at either 6,200 or 8,700 pounds, and it gets an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Its 0-60 time is 7.4 seconds with the V6 and just 6.2 seconds with either of the V8 engines. Pricing ranges from $36,995 to $68,195 across five trim levels.
8. Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent has three rows of seating for up to eight passengers. The Ascent holds up to 17.6 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 86.5 cubic feet with the passenger seats down. A turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder boxer motor produces 260 horsepower.
A continuously variable (CVT) transmission sends the power to its AWD drivetrain. The Ascent goes from 0-60 in 6.9 seconds and gets an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Towing capacity is rated at either 2,000 or 5,000 pounds.
Pricing ranges from $32,295 to $45,445 across five trim levels.
9. Buick Enclave
Buick updated its popular Enclave midsized SUV with a more refined and aerodynamic body that enables it to perform better than ever. Three rows of seating enable it to carry up to seven passengers.
The interior holds up to 23.6 cubic feet of cargo that expands to 97.4 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The Enclave’s 3.6 V6 engine produces up to 310 horsepower that a nine-speed automatic sends to either a standard FWD or an optional AWD drivetrain.
It does 0-60 in 7.8 seconds. The Enclave can tow up to 5,000 pounds and gets an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Pricing ranges from $42,800 to $55,100 across three trim levels.
Pick the Best of the Midsize-SUV Litter
The Volkswagen Atlas and 12 other midsize SUVs listed above all show that they can suit your transportation needs in very different ways. You can choose traditional and naturally aspirated motors or turbocharged engines that all produce good power.
Comfortable seating, generous cargo, and towing capacities, and mostly good fuel economy make them all good options for whatever you need them to do.
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