Like its namesake, the Volkswagen Atlas can carry the world on its shoulders—figuratively speaking. Two adults fit comfortably in the third row with room for luggage behind them. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; 12-speaker Fender audio is optional. The base model comes with a 235-hp turbo four, front-wheel drive, and an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available if you choose the 276-hp V-6. Optional safety tech includes automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.

With a boxy shape and beefcake styling, the Atlas provides family-friendly passenger and cargo space without so much as a hint of a mom-mobile image. It’s not the fastest or the most fuel-efficient mid-size crossover, but this biggest Volkswagen earns its stars by offering practicality that’s tough to beat, along with a lithe chassis, plush ride comfort, and comfortable seats for up to seven. Technology also takes center stage: the Atlas can be had with the latest active safety features, infotainment displays with crisp graphics, and even a trendy reconfigurable digital gauge cluster. A lengthy, transferable warranty and pricing that undercuts many of the segment’s most popular choices are all additional feathers in the Atlas’s quiver.