Photo: kelsonik / Instagram
The Volkswagen Atlas mid-size crossover SUV is currently the bread and butter of the ICE-powered lineup in America, mostly thanks to its practical three-row layout and spaciousness – not necessarily its design.
Introduced by the German automaker in 2017, the VW Atlas was mainly developed for the North American and Chinese markets based on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. It is known as Atlas in the United States and Canadian (plus Chilean) markets, but outside those, it bears the Teramont nameplate. And, while the looks may be deceiving, it is actually set between the long-wheelbase three-row Tiguan and the smaller yet ritzier Touareg.
Of course, in America, starting from $38k, it also acts as the leader of the SUV family alongside the $24k Taos, $29k Tiguan, and $37k Atlas Cross Sport – its five-seat version. The only other more expensive crossover SUV is the all-electric $40k ID.4, but that one plays in the Tesla Model Y league, not the ICE-powered room. Not long ago, Volkswagen revealed the facelifted Jetta and Jetta GLI as part of the 2025 model year roster and some details about the rest of the lineup.
They started with the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport because they are truly some of the most important models for the company in America. However, Volkswagen didn't change much for the 2025MY because there was a "major refresh" the model year before that, complete with "an elegant new interior and a refined turbocharged engine." The only features added to the range were newly standard 15W wireless charging and Light Assist on all trims plus the SEL Premium R-Line getting more creature comforts. Also, new colors were added to the line: Mountain Lake Blue, Avocado Green, and Pure Grey.
As such, with the Atlas on the market since model year 2018, it's easy to imagine that Volkswagen will prepare a complete redesign for the 2026 model year. In fact, the rumor mill already knows for sure, as our spy photographer partners have caught the second-generation Atlas (Teramont) while undergoing the classic pre-production tests and trials. Thus, it is no wonder the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has also caught the scent of the fresh iteration.
More precisely, Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks that now is the right CGI time to work on a second-generation VW Atlas (Teramont) based on those spy shots. As per tradition, the German automaker won't make radical changes on the outside – a new grille combined with subtly restyled headlights plus a fresh bumper design will do at the front. On the side, everyone expects a smoother profile with hidden door handles, and around the back, there's a sleeker full-width LED taillight cluster. So, what do you think?
Of course, in America, starting from $38k, it also acts as the leader of the SUV family alongside the $24k Taos, $29k Tiguan, and $37k Atlas Cross Sport – its five-seat version. The only other more expensive crossover SUV is the all-electric $40k ID.4, but that one plays in the Tesla Model Y league, not the ICE-powered room. Not long ago, Volkswagen revealed the facelifted Jetta and Jetta GLI as part of the 2025 model year roster and some details about the rest of the lineup.
They started with the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport because they are truly some of the most important models for the company in America. However, Volkswagen didn't change much for the 2025MY because there was a "major refresh" the model year before that, complete with "an elegant new interior and a refined turbocharged engine." The only features added to the range were newly standard 15W wireless charging and Light Assist on all trims plus the SEL Premium R-Line getting more creature comforts. Also, new colors were added to the line: Mountain Lake Blue, Avocado Green, and Pure Grey.
As such, with the Atlas on the market since model year 2018, it's easy to imagine that Volkswagen will prepare a complete redesign for the 2026 model year. In fact, the rumor mill already knows for sure, as our spy photographer partners have caught the second-generation Atlas (Teramont) while undergoing the classic pre-production tests and trials. Thus, it is no wonder the imaginative realm of digital car content creators has also caught the scent of the fresh iteration.
More precisely, Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks that now is the right CGI time to work on a second-generation VW Atlas (Teramont) based on those spy shots. As per tradition, the German automaker won't make radical changes on the outside – a new grille combined with subtly restyled headlights plus a fresh bumper design will do at the front. On the side, everyone expects a smoother profile with hidden door handles, and around the back, there's a sleeker full-width LED taillight cluster. So, what do you think?
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