09:12 20-12-2025

2026 Volkswagen Atlas earns IIHS Top Safety Pick+, but AEB and child-seat anchors need refinement

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas has reached one of the most coveted safety marks in the U.S.: IIHS awarded the crossover a Top Safety Pick+. For a three-row family model, that’s a persuasive credential, and the Atlas clears the key crash evaluations with confidence, including front-overlap impacts and the side-impact test. Still, the institute made it clear the Atlas isn’t flawless just yet.

The main concern is the performance of the standard Front Assist system—automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, bundled in the IQ.DRIVE suite. In the child running across the road scenario at 26 mph, the system cut impact speed by only 10 mph and failed to avoid contact. Nighttime trials with an adult pedestrian also underdelivered. IIHS didn’t specify whether software logic, sensors, or their calibration are to blame, but the message to the brand is straightforward: the driver-assistance tuning needs refinement.

The second point involves child-seat mounts. IIHS noted that the lower anchors on the outboard positions of the second row sit too deep, and latching them requires notable effort. For families that frequently move seats around, that’s not a minor inconvenience but everyday safety ergonomics—and it’s exactly the kind of detail that shapes ownership experience over time.

Technically, the Atlas has been without a V6 for several years now. In its place is a 2.0-liter turbo engine that may trail on paper for peak power, yet delivers stronger low-end torque and better efficiency. In everyday driving, that balance often proves more valuable than spec-sheet bragging rights.