Anonymous wrote:I have a tiguan with the 3rd row. I wouldn't subject an adult to sitting back there, but it does exist.

We almost bought the Tiguan with the 3rd row, but the Consumer Reports reviews were terrible.

I have both a 2010 Tiguan and 2018 Atlas so can provide a good comparison. We recently went back and forth on upgrading to the 2018 Tiguan vs Atlas and ultimately went with the Atlas.

OP, it honestly will come down to how much car you need. For us, we have the Tiguan for short city trips as you are right, it is easier to park (and also older so I don't care too much about door dings now). The Atlas though is a great car for a good value.

I disagree on the leg room remark, it has by far one of the more generous seating in it's class for all passengers, even in the 3rd row. Compare it against Highlander, Explorer, etc. The Tiguan 3rd row is a pop up, so as in use very sparingly. I am 5'2 and I wouldn't want to sit in the back row for a long period of time.

In comparing gas consumption, the Tiguan isn't that much better. The Atlas also takes regular gas which makes me feel a little better about mpgs. The reason gas mpgs are lower in the Atlas is because of the weight of the car. That weight is awesome to have in the winter though. Comparing the two cars in the snow, the Atlas was amazing. I can't tell you how many times I got stuck in our Tiguan because of lack of clearance.

The Atlas lengthwise is similar to a minivan or other 3rd row SUVs, so not that big. The hood does take some getting used to since it is larger. If I were to pick over again, I would have upgraded to SEL to get the 360 camera view. I don't love not being able to see my side view but I am overly cautious since it's still a new car to us.

I don't think you can lose when both cars have the 6 year warranty, that to me was a huge selling point.

I have a tiguan with the 3rd row. I wouldn't subject an adult to sitting back there, but it does exist.

The big difference is the Atlas has a third row.

Anonymous wrote:Why these 2 cars? They are both crap. European reliability without the prestige of Mercedes/BMW/Land Rover.

Hm.. Land Rover? yep, reliability.

Why these 2 cars? They are both crap. European reliability without the prestige of Mercedes/BMW/Land Rover.

So we were looking into Atlas for a while and now after few test drives we are flipping more towards the Tiguan. Please share your thoughts and give your comments to the following choices. My thinking is:
- Atlas is way too big of a junk considering how little it offers leg-room wise.
- Atlas is a cow comparing to Tiguan re fuel consumption. A 19/22 vs T22/29.
- Atlas is really awkwardly big in front and the view is solidly blocked by the gigantic front.
- Atlas is fun to drive and park in burbs but a pain in the butt in the city, or any urban area for that matter. Finding a spot for such a big car can be really challenging
- Atlas is big and can be more comfortable for large family or someone who lags stuff but form smaller family it seem total overkill in each and every way.
- Tiguan is so much cheaper and it is so much cheaper to buy loaded Tiguan because Atlas comes so bare bone in basic version and it adds up so fast then before you know it you could buy a Mercedes SUV for a mediocre Atlas VW.
- Tiguan has gigantic leg room on the back, really big easily comparable with back seat Atlas.
- Tiguan so easy to park.
- Tiguan so much cheaper to buy so many nice options for so much less.

Both have good warranty.

Please help me to see if I am missing some important points that could help me to decide. Please feel free to trash the ones I made if you think they are not worth anything. Would love to hear second opinion. It is quite substantial expense and for quite few years so it would be great to hear some wisdom to avoid any regrets.