To say Volkswagen has an SUV problem would be an understatement.  While most automakers scrambled to capitalize on the growing popularity of SUVs in recent years, Volkswagen stood pat with its two offerings, the Tiguan and the Tuoareg, both of which are among the worst selling in their respective segments.  Now, Volkswagen is looking to remedy that issue by introducing its first three-row SUV, the 2018 Atlas, to the world last night at an event in Santa Monica, California.  FOLLOW DAILY NEWS AUTOS ON FACEBOOK. 'LIKE' US HERE.  Stylish, versatile and, most importantly, big, there’s a lot to like about the new midsize SUV, not the least of which is its name. Volkswagen has made a welcome shift away from its other SUV names, which are awkward to read and etymologically unknown to English speakers, like Tiguan (a Germanic hybrid of “tiger” and “iguana”) and Touareg (a nomadic North African tribe), in favor of the more familiar “Atlas.”  Also, the name Atlas is especially fitting for a vehicle that will shoulder a heavy load for the ailing Volkswagen brand.  With a bold, two-bar grille flanked by standard LED headlights and a long, sculpted hood, the Atlas avoids some of the design pitfalls of other family vehicles. Flowing lines prevent it from being too boxy and the A-pillar curves seamlessly into the roof, which tapers into a nice angular D-pillar.  Tastefully simple on the inside, Volkswagen claims the Atlas can seat seven adults with enough room for everyone’s luggage, which, if true, is like hitting the midsize SUV jackpot. Volkswagen also said it has solved the issue of the cumbersome third-row entry through an “innovative folding seat solution;” I’m not sure what that means, but if makes the third row easily accessible for non-contortionists, it’s a plus.  Under the hood, the Atlas will be available with either a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injected TSI f4-cylinder engine that makes 238 horsepower or a more powerful 3.6-liter VR6 that cranks out 280 horsepower. Both powertrains come with an eight-speed transmission and either front-wheel or 4Motion all-wheel drive, the latter of which features driving mode selection.  On the safety side of things—an especially important factor in this vehicle segment—the Atlas has an array of advanced features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance and rear traffic alerts. It also has a unique system called automatic post-collision braking, which applies the brakes as soon as airbags are deployed in order to prevent the vehicle from being slammed into something else after its initial impact.  The Atlas also has some fun technology, such as Volkswagen’s Car-Net smartphone connectivity package that includes apps such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. Also, a digital cockpit allows the driver to customize the infotainment display to his or her liking.  At 198.3 inches long, 77.9 inches wide and 69.6 inches tall, the Atlas will be the biggest vehicle Volkswagen sells in America and with today’s cheap gas-fueled thirst for trucks and SUVs, that’s just what the doctor ordered.  Volkswagen might be late to the family SUV game, but the debut of the Atlas is still rather timely for the brand, which is still reeling from the reputational damage of its diesel emissions scandal. One vehicle can’t save an entire brand, but it can provide a fresh start and a new direction.  We’ll see just how far the Atlas can carry Volkswagen when it debuts next spring.  Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it using the "Join the Conversation" buttons below, and thank you for visiting Daily News Autos.
Still recovering from the damage of the so-called 'Dieselgate' scandal, Volkswagen is looking for a fresh start with this midsize SUV.