2027 Volkswagen Atlas: real cost in California

Cheapest trim, SE · California · age 35–59 · 6 years · 13,500 mi a yearChange
Sticker$41,610the advertised price
Drive away$47,105with fees and tax
Loan payment$718/mo72-month loan at 7%, $5,000 down
True cost$1,362/moeverything, after resale
Car, fees and tax $47,105Insurance $17,273Fuel $18,621Interest and lost return $19,520Maintenance and plates $12,622

$47,105 to drive away + $68,034 to run it for 6 years − $17,054 back at resale = $98,086, or $1,362 a month.

Where the money goes

Drive away$47,105
Running it, 6 yrs+$68,034
Back at resale−$17,054
Sticker pricethe advertised MSRP
+$41,610
Feesfreight $1,525 · doc fee $85 (typical)
+$1,610
Sales and use tax, 8.99%California
+$3,885
Fuel13,500 mi a year at 25 MPG
+$18,621
Insuranceestimate, age 35–59, California
+$17,273
Lost return on your money5% a year on the down payment and each payment
+$9,939
Loan interest7% over 72 months
+$9,580
Maintenanceestimate
+$9,570
Title, registration and plates6 years in California, incl. 0.65% value tax a year
+$3,052
Resale after 6 years41% of MSRP, you get this back
−$17,054
True cost $98,086 ÷ 72 months$1,362 a month

The car

Size and space
BodySUV203.1 in long
Seats7
Cargo55.9 cu ftbehind row 2
Ground clearance6.5–6.6 in
Engine and fuel
Engine282 hp gas, FWD, AWD
0–60 mph6.8–7.1 sour estimate from power and weight
Fuel economy23–25 MPGEPA combined
TowingUp to 5,000 lb
Tires18", 20" or 21"by trim
Safety and cover
Crash testNot rated yet
Highway assistSteers and brakeshands on the wheel · every trim
Warranty4 yrspowertrain 5 yrs
Resale at 6 years41% of MSRPaverage for its type

Every trim

All trims: 282 hp, 7 seats.
SE 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$41,610$47,105$98,086✓ $1,362/mo25 MPG— No— No
SE with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$43,610$49,285$102,610$1,425/mo23 MPG— No✓ Yes
SE with Technology 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$45,610$51,465$103,323$1,435/mo25 MPG✓ Yes— No
SE with Technology with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$47,610$53,645$107,355$1,491/mo23 MPG✓ Yes✓ Yes
SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$52,110$58,549$112,610$1,564/mo23 MPG✓ Yes✓ Yes
SEL Premium R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$56,610$63,454$117,865$1,637/mo23 MPG✓ Yes✓ Yes
SE2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
✓ $1,362/mo
True cost
Sticker $41,610Drive-away $47,1056 yrs $98,086Fuel use 25 MPGSunroof — NoAWD/4WD — No
SEwith 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
$1,425/mo
True cost
Sticker $43,610Drive-away $49,2856 yrs $102,610Fuel use 23 MPGSunroof — NoAWD/4WD ✓ Yes
SE with Technology2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
$1,435/mo
True cost
Sticker $45,610Drive-away $51,4656 yrs $103,323Fuel use 25 MPGSunroof ✓ YesAWD/4WD — No
SE with Technologywith 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
$1,491/mo
True cost
Sticker $47,610Drive-away $53,6456 yrs $107,355Fuel use 23 MPGSunroof ✓ YesAWD/4WD ✓ Yes
SEL R-Linewith 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
$1,564/mo
True cost
Sticker $52,110Drive-away $58,5496 yrs $112,610Fuel use 23 MPGSunroof ✓ YesAWD/4WD ✓ Yes
SEL Premium R-Linewith 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
$1,637/mo
True cost
Sticker $56,610Drive-away $63,4546 yrs $117,865Fuel use 23 MPGSunroof ✓ YesAWD/4WD ✓ Yes

Features, trim by trim

Cheapest on the left. Each bar starts at the trim that adds it. + $ is the cheapest factory option or package that adds it (hover for its name).
Feature
SE 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$41,610
SE with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$43,610
SE with Technology 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$45,610
SE with Technology with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$47,610
SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$52,110
SEL Premium R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic$56,610
Safety and driver assist
Automatic braking
✓ Every trim
Blind-spot monitor
✓ Every trim
Adaptive cruise
✓ Every trim
Lane centering
✓ Every trim
360° camera
✓ from SEL Premium R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Parking sensors
✓ Every trim
Comfort
Heated seats
✓ Every trim
Cooled seats
✓ Every trim
Heated steering wheel
✓ Every trim
Heated rear seats
✓ from SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Dual-zone climate
✓ Every trim
Massaging seats
✓ from SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Convenience
Push-button start
✓ Every trim
Remote start
✓ Every trim
Power liftgate
✓ Every trim
Wireless phone charging
✓ Every trim
Power driver's seat
✓ Every trim
Memory seat
✓ from SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Tech and audio
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
✓ Every trim
Built-in navigation
✓ from SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Premium sound system
✓ from SEL Premium R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Head-up display
✓ from SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Large touchscreen (12 in+)
✓ Every trim
Capability and looks
AWD or 4WD
✓
✓ from SE with Technology with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Tow hitch included
✓ Every trim
Sunroof
+ $1,200
✓ from SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Panoramic roof
✓ from SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
LED headlights
✓ from SEL R-Line with 4MOTION 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic
Not listed on any trimRear cross-traffic alertHands-free drivingWireless CarPlay
Full standard equipment on the SE SE 2.0L TSI 8-speed Auto with Tiptronic (56 items)
  • Hill start assist
  • Trailer hitch preparation
  • Advanced Airbag Protection System
  • Exterior mirrors, power-adjustable and heated, auto-dimming on driver side
  • Front-wheel drive
  • App-Connect smartphone integration (for compatible devices) via wireless & USB
  • Front Assist (Forward Collision Warning & Automatic Emergency Braking w/ Pedestrian & Cyclist Monitoring)
  • Tool kit and jack
  • Driving Mode Selection
  • Black roof rails
  • Anti-theft alarm system w/ engine immobilizer
  • Metal front door sill scuff plates
  • Park Distance Control, front & rear
  • USB-C Charging Ports
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
  • 8-speed automatic transmission
  • Rear seat bench / backrest, split folding with center armrest and 2 seats in 3rd row of seats
  • Climatronic Touch three-zone automatic climate control w/ advanced air filter
  • Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror
  • Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System)
  • Ventilated front seats
  • Rear View Camera System
  • 10 Color adjustable ambient lighting
  • Reading lights in front and rear
  • Electric Power Steering
  • Light Assist (High Beam Control for headlights)
  • Adjustable lumbar support for drivers seat
  • Leatherette-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, heated, with tiptronic
  • 9-speaker sound system
  • Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro: 10.25" configurable digital instrument display
  • Advanced driver attention & drowsiness monitor
  • Poor Weather Lights (improves visibility in inclement weather)
  • 18" multi-spoke two-tone machined alloy wheels w/ all-season tires
  • 12.9" touchscreen center display w/ backlit sliders
  • All-season tires 245/60 R18 105H
  • Compact spare tire
  • Curtain airbags in front and rear, side airbags in front, center airbag
  • LED rear combination lamps with dynamic turn signal
  • Hands-free Easy Open & Easy Close remote power rear liftgate
  • Seat trim covers in leatherette
  • 8-way power adjustable driver seat with lumbar, 6-way manually adjustable passenger seat
  • Heated front seats
  • Voice control
  • Active Blind Spot Monitor Lane Assist (Lane Keeping System)
  • Travel Assist (semi-automated driving assistance)
  • Privacy glass
  • Roll-up manual sunshades for 2nd-row windows
  • 12-V outlet in center console in rear and in luggage compartment
  • Preparation for retrofitting, engine starter plus remote start feature
  • Rain-sensing, variable intermittent front wipers
  • Body-colored door handles
  • Advanced keyless access (KESSY) w/ proximity unlocking
  • SiriusXM (3-month trial subscription; requires acceptance of Terms)
  • Mobile phone interface with wireless charging feature
  • Additional warning lights in front and rear
  • Lower Anchors & Tethers for Children (LATCH)

Recalls

6 NHTSA recalls for 2025 to 2027 Atlas models. Dealers fix them free; a new car should have them done before delivery. Ask the dealer to check the VIN.

Quick answers
How much is a 2027 Atlas in California?
$47,105 to drive away for the SE, from a $41,610 sticker.
What does it cost a month?
A $718 loan payment, about $1,392 a month with insurance, fuel and upkeep ($5,000 down); about $1,362 a month all in, after resale.
How much can it tow?
5,000 lb for every trim.

Colors

Opal White+$495Deep Black PearlSilver Mist MetallicMountain Lake Blue MetallicSandstoneSacramento Green MetallicBlackberry MetallicPure Gray+$495

Similar SUVs

US prices in US dollars from Volkswagen's US website, read 2026-11-09; destination as the brand lists it. Taxes, registration and the dealer doc fee follow your state. Insurance and maintenance are estimates. How we count.