2025 Ford Bronco vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas

$38,995 · SUV

$39,310 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical difference between the 2025 Ford Bronco (Car 1) and the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas (Car 2) is the fuel economy, with the Atlas achieving 23 combined MPG compared to the Bronco's 19 combined MPG—a 4 MPG advantage. Conversely, the Bronco dominates in raw power, boasting 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, significantly outpacing the Atlas’s 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The base MSRPs are closely aligned, $38,995 for the Bronco versus $39,310 for the Atlas. While the Atlas is substantially longer at 200.7 inches versus the Bronco's 173.7 inches, both vehicles offer an identical 20.6 cu ft of standard cargo capacity. The transmission differences are also noteworthy: the Bronco features a 7-speed manual while the Atlas utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas offers superior efficiency with 23 combined MPG and uses less expensive regular unleaded fuel.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas's 200.7-inch length and standard front-wheel drive crossover platform likely offer a more practical and accommodating interior space than the shorter 173.7-inch Bronco SUV.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ford Bronco

The 2025 Ford Bronco provides substantially greater power output with 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 7-speed manual transmission.

💰 Best Value

2025 Ford Bronco

The Ford Bronco offers 31 more horsepower for $315 less in base MSRP ($38,995 vs $39,310).

Choose the Ford Bronco if...

You prioritize maximum engine output, benefiting from 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the engagement of a 7-speed manual transmission over an automatic.
You are looking for a slightly lower entry price point at $38,995 compared to the Atlas's $39,310.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

Fuel economy is critical, as the Atlas delivers 23 combined MPG versus the Bronco's 19.
You require the longer exterior dimension of 200.7 inches, indicative of greater overall passenger volume.
You prefer the lower operational cost associated with using regular unleaded fuel instead of premium (recommended for Car 1).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Bronco	Volkswagen Atlas
Length	173.7"	200.7"
Width	75.9"	78.3"
Height	71.9"	70.4"
Wheelbase	100.4"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

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

Engine

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.3 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	300 hp @ 5700 rpm	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	325 lb-ft @ 3400 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	Ford	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	7-speed manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	four wheel drive	front wheel drive
4WD System Type	Part Time	—
Transfer Case Gearing	Electronic Hi-Lo	—
Locking Hubs	Automatic	—
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	18/21 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	19 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	304.2/354.9 mi.	372.0/502.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.9 gal.	18.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
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	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	12.0 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	2	—
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	41.0 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	43.1 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.1 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	56.3 in.	58.4 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.8 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.7 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	51.8 in.	60.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	43.3 in.	58.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Steel	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	16 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/70R16	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Full Size Matching	—
Spare Tire Location	Outside Rear Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	18 x 8.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Front Suspension Type	Independent	—
Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	—	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	—	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Bronco and 2026 Volkswagen Atlas.

What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 Bronco and the 2026 Atlas?

The 2025 Ford Bronco offers significantly more power, generating 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, which surpasses the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas's output of 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, the Bronco includes a 7-speed manual transmission option while the Atlas uses an 8-speed automatic.

How do the base fuel costs and efficiency compare for these two models?

The Atlas holds a clear advantage in efficiency, achieving 23 combined MPG versus the Bronco's 19 combined MPG. Additionally, the Atlas is rated for regular unleaded fuel, whereas the Bronco recommends premium unleaded, impacting routine operating expenses.

Despite being shorter, does the Ford Bronco offer less cargo space than the Atlas?

No, both vehicles are equally matched in the specific cargo metric provided; both the 2025 Bronco and the 2026 Atlas list a cargo capacity of 20.6 cubic feet. However, the Atlas is considerably longer overall at 200.7 inches compared to the Bronco's 173.7 inches.

Which vehicle is inherently geared towards off-road capability based on the specifications listed?

The 2025 Ford Bronco is designed with four-wheel drive and a structure that emphasizes ruggedness, indicated by its greater height (71.9 inches) and shorter overall length. The Atlas is designated as a Crossover with standard front-wheel drive.

Are the MSRPs very different for the base models of the Bronco and Atlas?

The MSRPs are very close, with the 2025 Ford Bronco starting at $38,995 and the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas starting at $39,310. This small price gap means buyers must weigh the Bronco’s higher performance against the Atlas’s superior fuel economy.

Which vehicle has a larger physical footprint?

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas has a significantly larger physical footprint, measuring 200.7 inches in length and 78.3 inches in width. The 2025 Ford Bronco is noticeably smaller across the board at 173.7 inches long and 75.9 inches wide.