- Third IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK for the Atlas family since redesign
Reston, VA — Volkswagen of America, Inc., is proud to announce that the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas and 2026 Atlas Cross Sport were each named a TOP SAFETY PICK+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This is third TOP SAFETY PICK accolade for the two Volkswagen midsize family SUVs since the redesign for model year 2024.
To qualify for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award in 2025, a vehicle must earn a good rating in the Institute’s updated moderate overlap front test and updated side test, as well as a good rating in the small overlap front test. Acceptable or good headlights must be standard across all trims and the vehicle must achieve an acceptable or good rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention test. The 2026 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport come with a standard front crash prevention system that earns an acceptable rating in the pedestrian front crash prevention test and standard LED headlights that received a good rating. These lights also feature the Adaptive Front-lighting System, whereby they swivel with steering input to help illuminate the road while cornering.
Volkswagen’s IQ.DRIVE® advanced driver assistance technology is standard on all 2026 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models and features hands-on semi-automated capability. On the highway, IQ.DRIVE features lane centering and a capacitive steering wheel to make driving easier. Around town, IQ.DRIVE can help alert you to surprise obstacles in front of you and keep an eye around you to help make driving safer. The system utilizes front and rear radar, a front camera, and several ultrasound sensors to collect data from the surrounding area, enabling Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance); Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring); Active Side Assist (Blind Spot Monitor); Rear Traffic Alert; Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Go; Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System); and Emergency Assist (semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency).
Within physical system limits, Front Assist is intended to warn drivers of potential frontal collisions (Forward Collision Warning) with vehicles and pedestrians, and in some cases provide automatic braking assistance (Automatic Emergency Braking). It can also detect cyclists or pedestrians traveling parallel to or crossing in front of the vehicle and alert the driver.
Within physical system limits, Forward Collision Warning warns the driver of potential imminent front-end collision situations, both acoustically and visually by a warning symbol in the instrument cluster if the car is traveling above 18 mph. Furthermore, an automatic jolt of the brakes can warn the driver of the danger. If the driver fails to brake, Automatic Emergency Braking is activated to help slow the vehicle. If the car is traveling below 18 mph and the system detects a potential front-end collision, Automatic Emergency Braking activates without a prior acoustic and visual warning. If the brake pedal is applied but the driver brakes too lightly, the brake pressure is increased by the system (Braking Support).
In addition to IQ.DRIVE, the 2026 Atlas family has standard Exit Warning and Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights), and available Park Distance Control, Park Assist (Parking Steering Assistant), Dynamic Road Sign Display, Head-up Display, Predictive ACC, and Area View (Overhead View Camera).
MSRP for the 2026 Atlas starts at $39,310 and destination is $1,475. MSRP for the 2026 Atlas Cross Sport starts at $38,300 and destination is $1,475.
IIHS launched its front crash prevention rating program in 2013 to help consumers sort through the maze of available technologies and zero in on the systems it determines to be most effective. For more information on IIHS, visit www.iihs.org. To learn more about the 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, visit https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks.
About Volkswagen
Volkswagen of America, Inc. is an operating unit of Volkswagen Group of America, which is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Volkswagen of America sells the Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, Golf GTI, Golf R, ID.4, ID. Buzz, Jetta, Jetta GLI, Taos, and Tiguan vehicles through more than 600 independent U.S. dealers. Volkswagen Group of America operates a state-of-the-art assembly facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee which produces Volkswagen brand vehicles including the Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, and the ID.4. The global Volkswagen Group is one of the world’s largest producers of passenger cars and Europe’s largest automaker. Learn more at www.vw.com or media.vw.com.
“IQ.DRIVE,” “VW,” “Volkswagen,, all model names and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
This information and any vehicle specifications are preliminary and subject to change.
Features and technical data apply to models offered in the USA. They may differ in other countries.
All prices provided are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and exclude destination, taxes, title, accessories installation, other options and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted.
Driver assistance features are not substitutes for attentive driving. See owner’s literature for important information.
Park Assist utilizes autonomous steering. However, entering and exiting parking spots, as well as preventing collisions are always the responsibility of the driver. See owner’s literature for important information.
To qualify for 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+, a vehicle must earn good ratings in the small overlap front test and the updated moderate overlap front and updated side tests. It also must earn an acceptable or good rating for the pedestrian front crash prevention test and come with standard acceptable- or good-rated headlights.
