2018 Volkswagen Atlas SEL

The Atlas is Volkswagen's three-row family SUV, built in Tennessee and sized to take on the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. It drives with a steady, planted feel that suits highway cruising, and the steering is light enough for easy parking-lot maneuvers. The cabin is genuinely roomy, with a third row that fits adults on short trips and a big cargo area behind the second row. You get useful touches like a hands-free power liftgate on higher trims and plenty of cupholders and USB ports for the whole family. The SEL adds leather seating, a larger touchscreen, and the digital instrument cluster over the SE, making it the sweet spot for families who want the tech without stepping up to the Premium. With the 3.6L I6 making 276 horsepower and all-wheel drive, this Atlas pulls strongly from a stop and stays composed on wet roads; the eight-speed automatic shifts smoothly, and you'll see 24 mpg combined in mixed driving.