Volkswagen News From The 2020 Chicago Auto Show

• The Volkswagen Atlas gets a facelift and safety features.
• 4MOTION AWD will now be available with both the turbocharged 4-cylinder and the V6.
• In related news, the Passat’s future may be all-electric.

Competition has never been fiercer in the midsize SUV segments, and especially for the ones that offer three rows of seating. Volkswagen launched the Atlas three years ago and to celebrate its impressive success, the German car manufacturer has updated the SUV’s exterior and upgraded the cabin.

Powertrain-wise, the once FWD-only turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine can now be matched to VW’s 4MOTION AWD system, like the 3.6-litre V6. The 2021 VW Atlas’ shell gains an Atlas Cross Sport-inspired grille and headlight treatment. It also gains new taillights and updated bumpers front and back.

The receives a new steering wheel, contrast-stitching on the leather seating surfaces based on trim and an 8-inch Composition Media infotainment system. The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas will now be equipped with a next-generation Car-Net telematics system that includes Wi-Fi capability and a slew of no-charge services for up to five years.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas arrives this spring.

In other news, CNET’s Road Show had a brief chat with Volkswagen of America’s chief operating officer, Johan de Nysschen, at the 2020 Chicago Auto show. He said: “It’s probably a reasonable assumption that when this Passat reaches the end of its lifecycle, its successor will probably not feature an internal combustion engine.”

The ID. Vizzion sedan, and Space Vizzion, make for a segment-size correct replacement.