Our Atlas DOES have this same inconsistent acceleration - both my wife and I notice this every time we drive it. You try ever so carefully to push the gas pedal down because you do not know how the vehicle will react - most of the time it will throw your head back at the touch of the pedal - terrible when hauling something you don't want to spill or slide around. The other day while going thru a roundabout I was trying to accelerate on the exit and I had the pedal pushed at least 1/4 of the way down then it finally (but slowly) ramped up. While passing it sometimes downshifts too many gears and will wind out for about 5 seconds at 5,000 RPM with my foot completely off the gas before it will upshift. VERY difficult to drive in city traffic or when parking. It has 3,000 miles and is in the shop for the 2nd time - has not has AC since we bought it - found out on a road trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama - made for a miserable trip. Had them look at AC and the throttle/transmission last week as well - was told they could not replicate the acceleration issue. So nothing was resolved. Contacted VW directly in hopes of a buyback - this has been a horrible experience since we bought it.