2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

$40,050 · Crossover

$37,190 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Ford Explorer bursts onto the scene with a muscular 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, offering a distinctly rear-wheel-drive bias that hints at a sportier soul. Contrast this with the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, which prioritizes pure utility, boasting a cavernous 40.3 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft. While both are substantial crossovers, the Explorer feels more eager to push, thanks to its 31 hp advantage over the VW's 269 hp. Fuel economy is neck-and-neck, with the Ford achieving a 24 MPG combined versus the Atlas Cross Sport's 23 MPG combined. The Explorer starts at a higher $40,050 MSRP, while the Atlas Cross Sport undercuts it significantly at $37,190, making the choice a classic battle between premium power and outright practicality.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport offers a slightly better 29 MPG highway rating and a lower starting MSRP of $37,190, making daily driving costs more predictable.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport crushes the Explorer in hauling capability with 40.3 cu ft of cargo volume versus only 18.2 cu ft for the Explorer.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Ford Explorer

The Explorer delivers superior performance with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, complemented by a more engaging rear-wheel-drive platform.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport provides significantly more utility and respectable power for $2,860 less than the starting price of the Explorer.

Choose the Ford Explorer if...

You crave higher performance figures, enjoying the raw output of 300 horsepower.
You prefer the dynamic handling characteristics of a rear-wheel-drive architecture.
You need the increased length of 198.8 inches for presence or road manners.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...

Maximizing storage is critical, as the 40.3 cu ft cargo capacity dwarfs the competition.
Sticking closer to a $37,190 budget is a primary purchasing factor.
You prefer the efficiency and traction offered by the standard front-wheel-drive setup.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Ford Explorer	Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Length	198.8"	195.6"
Width	78.9"	78.3"
Height	69.9"	68.1"
Wheelbase	119.1"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Ford	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 (with Head Protection Chamber)	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

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 @ 5500 rpm	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	310 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	Ford	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	10-speed automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	rear wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/29 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	358.0/519.1 mi.	372.0/483.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	17.9 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	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	40.7 in.	39.4 in.
Front Leg Room	43.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.8 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 in.	58.4 in.
Seat Material: Premium Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	40.5 in.	37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.0 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	60.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	59.1 in.	58.7 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P255/65R18	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—
Wheel Size	—	18 x 8.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Ford	Volkswagen
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 Explorer and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

What is the practical difference between the engine outputs?

The 2025 Ford Explorer has a notable 31 hp and 37 lb-ft advantage, generating 300 hp versus the Atlas Cross Sport's 269 hp. This means the Explorer will feel stronger when merging or passing on the highway.

How much more spacious is the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

The Atlas Cross Sport is substantially larger inside for cargo, offering 40.3 cu ft compared to the Explorer's 18.2 cu ft. This nearly doubles the usable hauling space behind the rear seats.

Are these two crossovers built for the same type of driving?

No, the Explorer is configured with a rear-wheel-drive base, often preferred for better driving dynamics and handling feel. The Atlas Cross Sport utilizes a front-wheel-drive setup, which is typical for maximizing interior space efficiency.

Which vehicle offers better fuel efficiency?

The two are very close, but the Ford Explorer inches ahead with a combined MPG of 24 versus the Atlas Cross Sport's 23 MPG. Highway cruising favors the Explorer slightly at 29 MPG versus 26 MPG.

Is the higher price of the Ford Explorer justified by its features?

The 2025 Ford Explorer starts at $40,050, a premium over the Atlas Cross Sport's $37,190. Buyers pay extra for the superior horsepower and the RWD platform setup.

How do their sizes compare in terms of footprint?

The Explorer is slightly larger overall, measuring 198.8 inches long and 69.9 inches high. The Atlas Cross Sport is slightly shorter in length (195.6 inches) and significantly shorter in height at 68.1 inches.