A media launch event for Volkswagen’s new Atlas is underway at Studio Paradise in Jung-gu, Incheon, on May 26. (Yonhap)
YEONGJONGDO, South Korea, May 26 (Korea Bizwire) — Volkswagen has officially launched its full-size Atlas SUV in the South Korean market for the first time, signaling a renewed push to bolster its position amid declining sales.
At a media event held on May 26 at Studio Paradise in Yeongjongdo, Volkswagen Korea introduced the new Atlas, a significantly upgraded version of the model that debuted in the U.S. in 2017 as part of a North America-focused strategy.
The latest iteration, a second facelift version that first launched in the U.S. in 2024, arrives with revamped exterior and interior styling, a new powertrain, and enhanced safety and tech features.
Positioned as the largest vehicle built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, the new Atlas measures 5,095 mm in length—making it the longest in its class in the Korean market. The SUV also offers a spacious interior suited for outdoor lifestyles, with a maximum cargo capacity of 2,735 liters when both second- and third-row seats are folded flat.
Powering the Atlas is the EA888 evo4 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, delivering 273 horsepower and a peak torque of 37.7 kg·m between 1,600 and 4,750 rpm. Fuel efficiency is rated at a combined 8.5 km/L.
The Korean version of the Atlas comes in a single trim: the 2.0 TSI 4MOTION R-Line, available in both 6- and 7-seat configurations.
Interior of the new Volkswagen Atlas (Image courtesy of Volkswagen Korea)
Standard features include a 12-inch infotainment system with voice control and wireless app connectivity, as well as the brand’s IQ.DRIVE suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning.
The model also received a “Top Safety Pick” rating in 2024 crash tests conducted by the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Til Scheer, CEO of Volkswagen Group Korea, said the new Atlas is expected to become a “game-changer” in Korea’s large SUV market thanks to its spacious design and reliable performance.
The launch follows Volkswagen Korea’s release of the electric ID.5 and the Golf hatchback earlier this year. A high-performance GTI version of the Golf is also scheduled for release soon.
Volkswagen Korea has faced declining sales in recent years, with 8,273 vehicles sold in 2024, down from 10,247 in 2023, according to the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA). As of April 2025, cumulative sales stood at 1,433 units, marking a 29.4% year-on-year decline.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
