2025 Acura ADX vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

$35,000 · Crossover

$38,300 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Acura ADX arrives boasting efficiency and sharp urban maneuverability, exciting drivers with its accessible $35,000 entry point. Its lighter curb weight supports an impressive 28 MPG combined, making it the friendlier choice for the budget-conscious road warrior, despite utilizing premium unleaded fuel. Conversely, the commanding 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport roars onto the scene packing a significant punch: 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque—a whopping 79 hp advantage over the Acura. While this power comes at the expense of fuel economy (23 MPG combined) and a slightly higher $38,300 price tag, the VW rewards drivers with substantially more capability and an expansive 40.3 cu ft of cargo space, dwarfing the ADX's 24.4 cu ft. Buyers face a clear tradeoff between the ADX’s economical footprint and the Atlas Cross Sport’s raw, V-configuration-rivalling muscle delivered through a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Acura ADX

The 2025 Acura ADX wins with its superior 28 MPG combined fuel efficiency and lower initial cost of $35,000.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offers significantly more utility, boasting 40.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the ADX's 24.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

With 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, the Atlas Cross Sport provides 79 more horsepower than the ADX, promising a much more energetic drive.

💰 Best Value

2025 Acura ADX

The 2025 Acura ADX undercuts the VW by $3,300 while still delivering modern crossover utility and strong mileage.

Choose the Acura ADX if...

Prioritizing fuel economy is essential, especially given the 5 MPG difference in combined ratings.
Keeping the initial purchase price under $36,000 is a major consideration.
A more compact exterior footprint (185.8 inches long) is preferable for navigating tight city streets.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...

Maximum cargo volume, up to 40.3 cu ft, is required for gear or luggage.
A potent powertrain generating 269 hp is desired for spirited driving.
Desiring a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission over a CVT system is important.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Acura ADX	Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Length	185.8"	195.6"
Width	72.5"	78.3"
Height	63.8"	68.1"
Wheelbase	104.5"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	1.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	190 hp @ 6000 rpm	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/31 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/434.0 mi.	372.0/502.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	18.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	1	—
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	38.4 in.	39.4 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	58.4 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.7 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	60.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	58.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.0 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	225/55R H	245/60R18

Suspension

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Acura	Volkswagen
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	6 yr./ 70000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Acura ADX and 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

How much more does the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport cost than the 2025 Acura ADX?

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has an MSRP of $38,300, which is $3,300 more expensive than the 2025 Acura ADX starting at $35,000.

Is the extra cost of the Atlas Cross Sport justified by the power increase?

Yes, the Atlas Cross Sport delivers a substantial performance upgrade, producing 269 hp versus the ADX’s 190 hp, a difference of 79 horsepower.

Which crossover uses a more efficient transmission setup?

The 2025 Acura ADX utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT) which helps it achieve 28 MPG combined, while the Atlas Cross Sport uses a standard 8-speed shiftable automatic.

Do I have to use premium gasoline in either crossover?

The 2025 Acura ADX recommends premium unleaded fuel for optimal performance. In contrast, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport operates happily on regular unleaded.

How much more spacious is the cargo area in the VW?

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offers significantly more utility, providing 40.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the 2025 Acura ADX’s 24.4 cu ft.