2026 Volkswagen Atlas & Atlas Cross Sport Earn TOP SAFETY PICK+ Honors

The International Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), as part of its mission to make American highways safer for everyone, names vehicles that are particularly safe as TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+. Volkswagen is proud to have multiple vehicles designated as TOP SAFETY PICK—including the 2026 VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport.

The IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation for the Volkswagen Atlas and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is the third accolade for the two VW midsize family SUVs since their 2024 redesigns. Keep reading below to learn more about the IIHS and VW Atlas line, or head to our Encinitas showroom to see these award-winning family SUVs for yourself!

How Do Vehicles Qualify For A TOP SAFETY PICK+ Award?

To qualify for a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award, a vehicle must earn at least the following ratings in the following Insurance Institute tests:

• Good updated moderate overlap front test
• Good updated side test
• Good small overlap front test
• Acceptable or Good pedestrian front crash prevention test

Both the VW Atlas and VW Atlas Cross Sport come standard with an acceptable-rated front crash prevention system, and good-rated LED headlights. The headlights also feature the Adaptive Front-lighting System, which swivels with steering input to illuminate the road while cornering.

Award-Winning Safety Features For VW Atlas And VW Atlas Cross Sport

When you drive a Volkswagen Atlas or Atlas Cross Sport in the Encinitas area, you will benefit from a number of standard safety features designed to make your drives more confident:

• IQ.DRIVE® advanced driver assistance technology, featuring hands-on semi-automated capability
• Front Assist (Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring)
• Active Side Assist (Blind spot monitor)
• Rear Traffic Alert
• Adaptive Cruise Control with stop and go
• Lane Assist (Lane keeping system)
• Emergency Assist (Semi-automated vehicle assistance in a medical emergency)

What’s more, the 2026 VW Atlas family has standard Exit Warning and Light Assist, which provide high-beam control for the headlights, as well as available Park Distance Control, Park Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Head-up Display, and much more.

Test-Drive The Volkswagen Atlas & Atlas Cross Sport At Herman Cook Volkswagen

Ready to explore the safety, comfort, and tech features of these VW SUVs for yourself? Come to our showroom today to tour our new inventory and find your next Volkswagen. Give us a call at (760) 753-6256 to schedule your visit, or stop by at your convenience. Streamline your visit by valuing your trade and applying for financing online.