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2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Competitors
The three-row crossover segment is one of the most competitive in the U.S. auto industry, with most mainstream brands represented. Back in 2018, Volkswagen tossed its hat into the ring with the Atlas, a midsized family hauler that emerged to challenge the established players. Following a comprehensive refresh for 2024, the VW Atlas still holds its own. Let’s look at how it matches up to the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, and Ford Explorer. Unless we mention otherwise, all comparisons involve the least expensive trim with all-wheel drive for the 2025 model year.
Base MSRP
With a starting MSRP of $40,100, the Atlas is the most affordable option among these midsized three-row crossovers. It undercuts the Toyota Highlander ($41,420), Honda Pilot ($42,300), and Ford Explorer ($41,785).
Standard Equipment
Even at the entry-level trim, VW doesn’t sacrifice premium features. The base Atlas comes with heated front seats, something that’s only matched by the base-edition Pilot, and a heated steering wheel, which is offered only with the starter version of the Explorer. Meanwhile, Volkswagen also includes ventilated seats for the front-row occupants, a feature that requires stepping up to a higher trim with the others. In addition, V-Tex leatherette upholstery is standard across the Atlas range, while the Highlander, Pilot, and Explorer all start with fabric upholstery.
Cost of Ownership
When it comes to long-term affordability, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is the most budget-friendly option in this group. According to Edmunds' five-year ownership cost forecast (based on 15,000 miles per year), the Atlas totals $47,988 over five years – thousands less than the Toyota Highlander ($50,788), Honda Pilot ($52,789), and Ford Explorer ($54,726). The Atlas also posts the lowest cost per mile, averaging $0.64, compared to $0.68 for the Highlander, $0.70 for the Pilot, and $0.73 for the Explorer. The Atlas’s maintenance costs are especially compelling: just $3,280 over five years, which is nearly half the cost of maintaining a Pilot ($6,082) and significantly less than owning a Highlander ($5,810) or Explorer ($4,703). Lower depreciation than its rivals also helps Atlas stay on top in terms of affordability. Adding to the Atlas’s better value equation is a longer bumper-to-bumper warranty covering four years or 50,000 miles, compared with three years or 36,000 miles for all of the others.
Interior Comfort
The Atlas is all about the cabin experience, earning ratings of 8.5 out of 10 (the highest in this comparison) for interior quality and comfort from Edmunds expert reviewers. All four vehicles mentioned on this page offer similar specifications in the first and second rows, with most competing measurements within an inch of each other. However, the Atlas boasts the best third-row legroom, 33.7 inches, compared to the Highlander (28.0 inches), Pilot (32.5 inches), and Explorer (32.2 inches), making this space more adult-friendly.
Cargo Capacity
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas stands out as the most spacious option in this group when it comes to hauling cargo. Behind the third row, it offers 20.6 cubic feet of storage – more than the Toyota Highlander (16.0 cubic feet), Honda Pilot (18.6 cubic feet), and Ford Explorer (18.2 cubic feet). Fold down the second and third rows, and the Atlas opens up to 96.6 cubic feet of total cargo capacity. That’s significantly more than you’ll get in the Pilot (87.0 cubic feet), Explorer (85.8 cubic feet), or Highlander (84.3 cubic feet).
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NHTSA Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program (www.nhtsa.gov/ratings). Model tested with standard side airbags (SAB).
**Based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery pack age/condition, and other factors.