2024 Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport Earn IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ Honors

Volkswagen of Duluth is pleased to announce that both models of the Atlas family, the Atlas and the Atlas Cross Sport, were designated a Top Safety Pick+ (TPS+) by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). TPS+ is IIHS’ highest safety rating and the two Atlas models join the ID.4 in this achievement. 

What Earns a Top Safety Pick+?

Earning a TPS+ means achieving a “Good” rating (their highest) in all IIHS collision tests, including their updated side test, driver-side small overlap front test, passenger-side small overlap front test, and the original moderate overlap front test. In addition, all trims within the model line must have headlights rated as “Acceptable” or “Good”, and the model must have a front crash prevention system that earns “Advanced” or “Superior” ratings in both the daytime and nighttime vehicle-to-pedestrian evaluations. 

The IQ.DRIVE safety and driver-assist system is standard on both Atlas models. It includes Front Assist, a standard front crash prevention system that earned an “Advanced” rating in both the daytime and nighttime pedestrian crash avoidance tests. Front Assist is designed to warn drivers of potential frontal collisions with vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. If the warnings do not result in action, the system will provide automatic braking assistance (Automatic Emergency Braking). Outside of the IIHS evaluation, the system can also detect cyclists or pedestrians traveling parallel to the vehicle and alert the driver. Forward Collision Warning, which is also part of IQ.DRIVE, provides the driver with both audio and visual alerts of potential critical front-end collision situations when the car is traveling above 18 mph. If there is no response, a subsequent automatic jolt of the brakes will occur to warn the driver of the danger. If the driver still fails to brake or there is simply no time, Automatic Emergency Braking is activated to help slow the vehicle.

As family-focused vehicles, the TPS+ designation carries even more weight. Rather than minimize the visual effect of front impacts, the Atlas models and all Volkswagen models are designed to sacrifice front body integrity to provide a cushioning effect while keeping the cabin as intact as possible. 

Safety is just one item among the many factors in selecting a two- or three-row mid-size crossover, but it is an important one. If you are in the market for such a model or any of the other well-engineered VW models, we invite you to visit Volkswagen of Duluth for an Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport test drive. Fortunately, IIHS has done the crash testing for you.