The Volkswagen Atlas has three rows and can seat seven, but Car and Driver says it doesn’t have “even a hint of minivan-ness.” While it doesn’t have a luxury feel inside, it is a comfortable SUV to drive. Buyers can choose between a four-cylinder and a V-6 engine, but the Atlas comes standard with a number of driver-assistance and other technology features. Does the Atlas also come with Android Auto?

Android Auto

Drivers who have Android Auto in their vehicle can use their phones hands-free through the vehicle’s infotainment system. Android Auto is software that’s similar to Apple CarPlay and displays icons and menus similar to the phone’s.

The driver can use the Google Assistant by saying  “Hey, Google.” The Google Assistant lets the driver ask a question or make a request to play a podcast, set a reminder, check the schedule, hear the weather, and more. Drivers can also make a phone call or respond to a text. Android Auto provides access to a number of apps, including Google Maps, Waze, Pandora, Spotify, Audible, and Skype.

All Android phones running Lollipop 5.0 or higher can connect to Android Auto compatible vehicles as long as they also have the Android Auto app. Phones that have Android 10 don’t need to have the app. While Android Auto works best when the phone is plugged into the USB port, some vehicles will also work wirelessly.

2020 Volkswagen Atlas infotainment system

All the Atlas trims (S, SE, SE with Technology, SEL, and SEL Premium) feature infotainment systems that are compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The S trim has a 6.5-inch touchscreen, and the SE and SEL trims have a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen.

More tech in the Atlas

The Atlas provides a number of technology features in addition to the infotainment system. The S trim has six stereo speakers plus Bluetooth connectivity, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and one USB port. The SE and SEL trims have eight stereo speakers along with four USB ports and SiriusXM radio. The available digital instrument cluster can be personalized for four different drivers and can show navigation.

The available VW Car-Net Security & Service subscription provides additional help for drivers, ranging from locating your vehicle to finding parking to locking the doors. The service can request help and get vehicle diagnostics. The Atlas also has remote start available to warm it up on cold days.

Safety features

The tech features extend to safety and driver-assistance features in the Atlas. There are nine available driver-assistance features: blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning with pedestrian monitoring, rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, high beam control, lane keeping assist, overhead area view camera, park assist, and parking distance control. The Atlas’s Intelligent Crash Response System is able to deploy the airbags, turn off the fuel pump, unlock the doors, and turn on the hazard lights in the event of an accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the Atlas five stars out of five for overall frontal crash (although four stars for front driver side) and five stars out of five for side crash. It earned four out of five stars for the rollover test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2020 Atlas the highest rating of Good for all of its crashworthiness categories along with Superior for front crash prevention. However, it earned Marginal and Poor ratings for its headlights, depending on the trim. The SEL Premium trim received the Marginal rating, while the S, SE, SE with Technology, and SEL trims were rated Poor for their headlights.

A family-friendly SUV, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas is an excellent option for buyers looking for tech and safety features along with the ability to connect an Android phone through Android Auto.