First drive: Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak pick-up concept

Driving the Atlas Tanoak concept

Unlike many one-off concepts, it’s clear the Tanoak has true production relevance. The thoroughness and detailing evident within its exterior design, the impressive interior, and convincing properties of its mechanical package make it clear that Volkswagen is taking the new pick-up very seriously indeed. It already feels showroom ready – and it’s a more inviting machine to spend time in than the Volkswagen Amarok.

While the Tanoak’s leather-lined driver’s seat is high, with a commanding view of the road, you feel you sit in it and not on it. The raised shoulder line provides an agreeably encapsulated feel, yet there’s sufficient visibility to each corner to provide confidence when driving. 

The interior builds on the Atlas SUV, with digital instruments and Volkswagen’s latest touchscreen infotainment system among key additions. The Tanoak provides seating for five, although the rear middle seat lacks for legroom due to the transmission tunnel. But it matches the likes of the Tacoma and Ranger for versatility and ease of use.

Volkswagen says a decision on whether to produce the Tanoak has yet to be made, but on the public road it’s clear a good amount of engineering has gone into the concept, and all the key elements appear in place.

The V6 engine propelled the pick-up to a limited 30mph with the sort of rich smoothness you’d expect of a production model. We don’t go any faster over the remaining three miles, but that was enough to get a good feel for the Tanoak’s on-road character. 

The ride is firm, but with the same amount of spring travel as the Atlas and on 20-inch wheels, it traverses bumps in the road without the bone-jarring characteristics of many concepts.

The Tanoak handles and corners well, although at limited speed we barely touched on its dynamic ability.

Will Volkswagen put the Atlas Tanoak into production?

It’s clear the Tanoak has the potential and integral qualities to be a contender in the mid-size pick-up market: it feels remarkably mature and sorted.

There’s still a lot of work to be done before the Tanoak goes into production. The main decision in determining the business case for the pick-up is whether to stick with the monocoque construction of the concept. That gives it rigidity and refinement, but using a more rugged ladder frame chassis, as its main rivals do, would offer greater payoad and towing capacity.

Still, if a business case can be made to put the Atlas Tanoak into production, early indications are that it could be a success.