Earlier this month, a mother of four bought a second vehicle. She was looking for something smaller and better on gas than the Chevy Suburban she primarily drives. A Volkswagen Atlas seemed to suit her family’s needs.
Within days, Roberts (@therobertscasa) says she seriously regretted the purchase. So much so that she decided to return the vehicle.
Her TikTok about returning the Volkswagen Atlas struck a nerve. Thousands rushed to the comments of the post, which currently has 3.4 million views.
Some offered suggestions for a vehicle to replace the Atlas or commiserated with her complaints.
Amidst these helpful comments, there was what Roberts found to be a surprising number of angry reactions from people who took issue with her purchasing decisions.
Roberts didn’t immediately respond to an email from the Mary Sue sent Saturday morning.
What’s wrong with the Volkswagen Atlas?
The vehicle seemed fine on the test drive, according to Roberts. After she got it home and drove it for a few days, however, a number of issues came to light.
First of all, Roberts says the Volkswagen Atlas rides “really rough.”
“Like you can literally feel every single bump in the road to the point where it just feels like a cheap, clunky car.”
The interior would get baking hot, too. She explains that the thin fabric covering the sunroof lets enough light in to send the temperature skyrocketing.
“The other thing I hate is the brakes. They’re extremely loud and squeaky,” Roberts adds, demonstrating the grating sound the brakes make, which she describes as “embarrassing.”
She thought about getting new ones, but says research reveals a number of complaints about Atlas’ brakes.
And then there’s the notifications. The Atlas constantly dings at you, she says, opening the door to show how loud the notification is.
“I swear it screams at me for every little thing I do,” Roberts complains.
In the end, the issues were too much. “Baby girl is cute, but she gots to go,” she says.
Mixed reviews for the Atlas
There’s plenty of praise for the Volkswagen Atlas from both experts and consumers.
Consumer Reports says it “drives well,” is “comfortable,” and “surprisingly agile.”
Car and Driver reports that the 2025 model is spacious and aesthetically pleasing, but criticizes its ride and handling as needing “more refinement.” It also echoes a complaint found elsewhere that too many functions are controlled by a touchscreen.
A review of the 2021 model on the Volkswagen subreddit praises the vehicle’s power, comfort, and value. But after three years of ownership, the Redditor echoed some of Roberts’ complaints about the brakes and suspension.
“I honestly think this is the best SUV we’ve ever owned, except it had the worst suspension, and brakes! Unforgivable!” they wrote.
Roberts appears to have purchased the 2025 model. In a follow-up TikTok, she says that the vehicle cost $45,000, which would track with the price of the 2025 Atlas.
Viewers weigh in
There were a surprising number of acerbic reactions to Roberts’ post.
A common refrain takes issue with her describing the Volkswagen Atlas as a “smaller” vehicle. Many of these commenters appear to live outside the United States.
“Smaller car and VW Atlas in the same sentence? America is wild my friend,” reads one.
Roberts didn’t describe the Atlas as small, just smaller than the Chevy Suburban, which is her primary vehicle.
Multiple people accused her of not test-driving the vehicle. Roberts addressed this in a follow-up TikTok, saying that she did test drive it, but the problems didn’t come to light until she’d driven it more.
The blowback was so intense that she says in one of two follow-ups, “Apparently I broke the internet when I said I’m returning my Atlas.”
There were plenty of more helpful and understanding comments. A top comment suggests she try a Hyundai Palisade, describing it as “luxury on a budget.”
“The beeping would send me over the edge,” another sympathizer wrote.
Roberts says she did ultimately return the vehicle. But not before one last irritation. She says the Volkswagen Atlas wouldn’t start when she got in to take it back to the dealership.
“So I have to call a tow truck to tow it back,” she says.
@therobertscasa Turns out I’m not a Volkswagen girly. Returning her, and never looking back! #cartradein#momcar#thirdrowsuv#vwatlas#momsuv#atlasreview#momtok#fourkids#fostercare#adoption#momsbelike#cartok#whitesuvmom ♬ original sound – TheRobertsCasa?
Volkswagen did not respond to an email from the Mary Sue sent Saturday morning.
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