The Volkswagen Atlas made its public debut at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show as the company's largest SUV to date. A three-row SUV with plenty of room for seven people, the Atlas rides on the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform, which is shared with the slightly smaller Skoda Kodiaq. As the crossover is being prepared to arrive in dealerships in the Spring of 2017, Volkswagen unveils the Weekend Edition at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show.

Designed to demonstrate how the Atlas can be "enhanced with smart accessories," the Weekend Edition is actually more of a concept car rather than a limited-edition model scheduled for production. Volkswagen says it is inspired by the “Weekender” packages offered on the classic Vanagon and Eurovan pop-up camper models and integrates several accessories that enhance the its versatility.

Simply put, Volkswagen is preparing the Atlas for a tough North American market disputed by offerings from Ford, General Motors, and FCA, by matching the vast customization options buyers can get for Detroit-made SUVs. We've seen a similar strategy at Chevrolet recently, with many almost production-ready concept sporting upcoming accessories and features.

Many of the accessories showcased on this conceptual Atlas will be available from Volkswagen dealers when the Atlas goes on sale in Spring 2017. Let's see what the Germans are offering in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Volkswagen Atlas Weekend Edition.

Exterior

Comparison Volkswagen Atlas Weekend Edition vs Volkswagen Atlas production model

Needless to say, a quick glance is enough to notice that the Weekend Edition isn't a regular Atlas. The styling features may be identical to the standard SUV, but the new accessories help it stand out among its siblings.

The first feature that catches the eye is the carbo box on the roof. Dubbed Urban Loader, it offers up to 17.7 cubic feet of cargo room (only five cubic feet short of the Golf's trunk space) when expanded. When empty, it offers a sleek appearance with limited impact on the SUV's aerodynamics. Remove the Urban Loader and the carrier bars can be uses for accessories such as skis, snowboards, kayaks or bikes.

Down below, the Atlas received wheelbase-long side steps for easy access to the roof, as well as helping smaller persons get into the vehicle. The window and hood deflectors, as well as the splashguard enhance the concept's practicality. The Weekend Edition is rounded off by wheel locks and a set of 18-inch Prima rims finished in Anthracite Gray.

Interior

Inside, Volkswagen added various accessories to enhance comfort and practicality. The front seatbacks are fitted with a universal tablet mount that enables passengers to bring along just about any type of touchscreen tablet. Volkswagen says that the mount's design is innovative, providing easy access to the home button on the most common models, while enabling the devices to use the Media Control feature using Wi-Fi technology for Android and iOS.

A robust cargo divider mounted behind the second-row seats provides a safe barrier for pets, including large dogs, which can ride in comfort when the trunk section is empty. There's also a heavy-duty trunk liner with seat-back coverage, a privacy cargo cover, and all-weather rubber mats.

It's all cool so far, but I'm a bit disappointed that Volkswagen didn't create a unique upholstery for this concept, but maybe things will change as the Atlas arrives in showrooms and the company begins rolling out more special-edition models.

Drivetrain

The Weekend Edition is based on the SEL Premium model, which means it is powered by the turbocharged, 3.6-liter V-6 engine rated at 276 horsepower. The unit mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission and can be optioned up with the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. Although it's nice of Volkswagen to mention this, this piece of information isn't exactly relevant, as the accessories should be available for every model in the lineup. This means that customers will also be able to add them to trims powered by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates 235 horsepower.

Conclusion

Factory customization isn't exactly mainstream when it comes SUVs, but the U.S. market has plenty of offerings. For instance, Chevrolet Accessories are available for a wide range of models, while Mopar offers numerous parts for Dodge and Fiat crossovers. Volkswagen is obviously aiming its new line of accessories in the same direction and this is a good thing. With the Atlas conceived primarily for the North American market, Volkswagen needs to be able to compete with what local automakers have to offer. Making the Atlas a customizable SUV with enhanced practicality is definitely the way to go in this crowded segment.