The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas recently got a refresh that brought both better looks and some small interior upgrades, and the swoopier, five-seat Atlas Cross Sport was added to its model lineup. But VW has now added what it’s calling the Basecamp pack of accessories to its family hauler to make it more capable off-road. Even though the Atlas is far from our our first choice to take up a hard-core trail like the Rubicon, we’ll never say no to a little extra capability.
Originally slated to be unveiled at the now rescheduled New York International Auto Show, the Basecamp pack isn’t an extensive overhaul of the Atlas’s mechanicals. Instead it adds small touches like new, tougher door sills and side skirts; a two-tone bumper guard; fender flares to protect the body sides; and a satin silver rear valance that surrounds the exhaust tips. While all those upgrades sound cosmetic, they do at least offer additional protection against stones, dirt, and grime.
The most functional part of the package, however, are the wheels and tires. Volkswagen partnered with Fifteen52 to build an exclusive set of 17-inch Traverse MX wheels paired with a set of 245/70R17 all-terrain tires. The wheels will be available in either frosted graphite or radiant silver. Overall, the add-ons make the Atlas look ready to tackle something off the beaten path.
Volkswagen said the Basecamp options will be rolled out to dealers by spring of 2020, but adds that the goodies aren’t compatible with R-line-trimmed models. As of this writing, there’s no word on if the Basecamp line of accessories will be made available for the Cross Sport.
