Volkswagen recently revealed the updated Atlas for North America, which arrives for the 2027 model year. The SUV received new styling and an upgraded engine, but some enthusiasts noticed it looks similar to an SUV VW already sells in China.
That is the Volkswagen Teramont, an SUV that actually shares the same platform as the Atlas. In fact, given that they are both on the same platform, you’d have forgiven Volkswagen for just using the same styling and making the two cars identical. But that wasn’t something that they wanted to do.
In an interview with Car Design News, William Lee, a Volkswagen exterior designer, explained how the two differed from each other and why they ensured both models were styled differently. Some of this is down to what is more important and relevant to the market in each of the countries.
What the interview revealed was how automotive manufacturers have to tailor their products to different markets. What works in China won’t work in America, and vice versa, so it is fascinating to see the two different approaches and how each car has to be tailored to suit people’s needs.
How Different Are the Volkswagen Atlas and Teramont?
The front shows off just how different the two cars actually are. The Atlas, for example, has a unique hood, and it sits a little higher than that on the Chinese model. Williams Lee said that it was “more solid looking than the Teramont,” and there is a very good reason for that.
Visibility is a bigger priority for those in China. In America, it is less relevant, hence the reason that the Teramont has a lower hood than its American cousin. The Teramont also has a closed upper mask without an air intake. What that meant was that Volkswagen could add more detail to the Chinese model, something that its buyers love. This is something else that is less relevant to buyers in the United States.
In fact, the Atlas has an open grille, so the two look very different in that regard. Looking down the side, we can see that the American Volkswagen has regular door handles. But if you look at the Chinese Teramont, they are flush with the bodywork. You can, however, see some similarities between the two models thanks to their overall proportions. Some of the changes are subtle, but they make all the difference depending on where the cars are being sold.
The Atlas Is a Popular Car in the United States
Volkswagen also tweaked the engines slightly, as they have to meet different regulations in America and China. In America, the SUV has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 282hp and 253lb-ft of torque. For those waiting for the new Atlas in the United States, Volkswagen expects it to start arriving at dealerships in the Fall of 2026.
The SUV remains a popular choice for the American consumer. In fact, the Atlas makes up around a third of its sales, with the current model retailing at $39,310. Proving that SUVs remain popular, and that Volkswagen can make its mark in North America. With it rumored that the regular Golf might be coming back to the United States, it appears Volkswagen is on a roll at the moment with the American market.