19 MPG combined isn’t exactly great, but that’s what you get with the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas 4motion with the 3.6L V6. It’s bought by families who need space, all-weather capability, and the ability to confidently tow a larger SUV. For these buyers, the Atlas offers a good mix of practicality and usability that makes fuel economy less important.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2020 Atlas 4motion at 16 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. The city figure shows how the Atlas’s weight and engine make it work harder in stop-and-go driving. The highway number is more optimistic, achievable with consistent speed and little acceleration. If you drive mostly in the city, it’s important to understand these differences from those who frequently take long road trips.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas 4motion 3.6L is $2,300. This number is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices at the time of the EPA’s testing. Regional fuel prices will change your actual fuel costs, so expect to pay more than $2,300 annually if you live in an area with higher prices. Your driving habits, such as hard acceleration or lots of idling, can also significantly affect your fuel consumption.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standard testing method, but real-world results often differ. Some Atlas owners report slightly lower numbers than the EPA estimates, especially in combined and city driving. Driving style, terrain, and cargo influence your fuel economy. Hard acceleration, short trips, and heavy loads can lower fuel consumption. Careful driving and mostly highway miles can help you get close to the EPA’s 22 MPG rating. Owners in online forums suggest that the average real-world combined MPG is often between 17 and 20.

How it compares

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas competes in a tough segment. The Honda Pilot, known for its reliability, gets 22 MPG combined in its AWD version, which is better than the Atlas. The Toyota Highlander with its V6 engine and AWD gets 23 MPG combined, making the Atlas look less efficient. The Ford Explorer, even with its more powerful engine options, gets similar or slightly better fuel economy depending on the trim. The Atlas prioritizes interior space and a large size, but it sacrifices some fuel efficiency to do so. If fuel economy is your top priority, check out ATLAS MPG across all years before buying the 2020 model.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Avoid hard acceleration and braking. The Atlas, with its weight and V6, doesn’t do well with aggressive driving. Accelerate gently and anticipate traffic will reduce fuel consumption a lot. Be patient when driving, and you’ll get better efficiency.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate to the PSI on the door jamb sticker. This simple thing can improve your fuel economy noticeably.

Don’t idle too much. Idling wastes fuel. If you’ll be stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. Modern cars restart quickly, making this a small but helpful thing to do.

Think about roof-mounted accessories. Roof racks, cargo carriers, and other things that affect airflow increase drag a lot. This extra drag makes the engine work harder, especially on the highway. Remove these things when you’re not using them to reduce wind resistance and improve fuel economy.

Be careful about load distribution and towing. Carrying extra weight in the car or towing heavy loads really hurts fuel efficiency. If you don’t tow often, think about whether hauling your ATV in the Atlas is the best way. Optimizing load and trailer weight can help offset the fuel costs involved. See all Volkswagen fuel economy data to see how different vehicle types affect fuel efficiency.