2025 Buick Enclave vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas

$45,100 · Crossover

$39,310 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical divergence between the 2025 Buick Enclave and the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas is the $5,790 MSRP difference, with the Atlas starting at $39,310 versus the Enclave's $45,100. Power output is also substantially different; the Enclave boasts 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, outperforming the Atlas's 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque by a margin of 59 horsepower. Fuel economy is a dead heat, with both vehicles achieving a 23 MPG combined rating (20 City/27 Highway). The larger Buick measures 207.6 inches long, offering marginally more room than the Atlas's 200.7-inch length, which translates to 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Atlas's 20.6 cu ft. Both utilize regular unleaded fuel and an 8-speed automatic transmission for their standard front-wheel-drive configurations.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas wins for commuters due to its lower $39,310 MSRP, saving $5,790 upfront.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Buick Enclave

The 2025 Buick Enclave provides superior spatial accommodations, offering 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Atlas's 20.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave clearly leads in performance metrics with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas offers comparable 23 MPG combined efficiency for a significantly lower initial investment.

Choose the Buick Enclave if...

You prioritize engine performance, requiring the class-leading 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.
Maximum utility is necessary, as the Enclave offers the greater 22.9 cu ft of cargo space.
You prefer the slightly larger exterior dimensions, measuring 207.6 inches in length.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

Budget constraints are primary, with an MSRP $5,790 lower than the competitor at $39,310.
Similar fuel efficiency (23 MPG combined) is acceptable for a less powerful vehicle.
You are comfortable with less power, accepting the 269 hp engine for the lower price point.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Buick Enclave	Volkswagen Atlas
Length	207.6"	200.7"
Width	79.6"	78.3"
Height	71.0"	70.4"
Wheelbase	120.9"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
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	2	3
Rear Folding Headrests	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5500 rpm	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3500 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	Buick	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	388.0/523.8 mi.	372.0/502.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.4 gal.	18.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	30.0 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	12	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	—
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	4	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	42.6 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.2 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	58.7 in.	58.4 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	2-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.1 in.	60.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.5 in.	58.6 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	20 in.	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P255/55R20	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	18 x 8.0 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Buick	Volkswagen
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Buick Enclave and 2026 Volkswagen Atlas.

What is the primary performance gap between the 2025 Enclave and 2026 Atlas?

The Buick Enclave offers a substantial performance advantage, delivering 328 horsepower, which is 59 hp more than the Volkswagen Atlas's 269 horsepower. Both vehicles share the same 8-speed automatic transmission for their FWD configurations.

Are there significant differences in fuel economy for city driving?

No, both vehicles are rated identically for fuel economy based on the provided data, achieving 20 MPG in city driving conditions. Furthermore, both utilize regular unleaded fuel.

How does the cargo capacity compare between these two large crossovers?

The 2025 Buick Enclave holds a capacity advantage, providing 22.9 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third row compared to the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas’s 20.6 cubic feet.

Which vehicle has the higher starting price, and by how much?

The 2025 Buick Enclave has the higher MSRP at $45,100. This represents a premium of $5,790 over the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, which starts at $39,310.

Are the exterior dimensions notably different for parking or garage fitment?

Yes, the Buick Enclave is larger across all dimensions, measuring 207.6 inches long, 79.6 inches wide, and 71.0 inches high. The Atlas is shorter in length (200.7 inches) and slightly narrower and lower.

Do either of these models offer optional all-wheel drive?

Based solely on the provided specifications, both the 2025 Buick Enclave and the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas are listed with a standard front-wheel-drive configuration.