2025 GMC Acadia vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

$42,900 · Crossover

$37,190 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 GMC Acadia bursts onto the scene with a robust 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, offering a distinctly more muscular shove than the competent 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, which puts down 269 hp and 273 lb-ft. While both crossovers achieve an identical 23 MPG combined, the Acadia’s significant 59-horsepower advantage promises a more exhilarating highway merge. Design-wise, the Acadia is substantially larger, measuring 204.0 inches long compared to the Atlas Cross Sport's 195.6 inches, giving it a commanding presence. However, this size doesn't translate to superior utility, as the Atlas Cross Sport delivers a cavernous 40.3 cu ft of cargo space versus the Acadia's 23 cu ft. The Atlas Cross Sport undercuts the Acadia dramatically on entry price, starting at $37,190 against the Acadia's $42,900, creating a sharp contrast between power and affordability in this crossover clash.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport wins for commuters due to its significantly lower starting MSRP of $37,190.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Families prioritizing maximum capacity will favor the Atlas Cross Sport, which offers 40.3 cu ft of cargo room compared to the Acadia's 23 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 GMC Acadia

Enthusiasts will gravitate toward the Acadia for its potent 328 hp engine, easily outpacing the Atlas Cross Sport's 269 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport provides better value by offering comparable fuel economy (23 MPG combined) for $5,710 less.

Choose the GMC Acadia if...

You demand the maximum pulling power, benefitting from the Acadia's 326 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer the commanding road presence provided by the Acadia’s greater length of 204.0 inches.
You seek the highest performance output available, boasting 59 more horsepower than the competitor.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...

Your budget is tight, as the Atlas Cross Sport undercuts the competition by $5,710 starting at $37,190.
You need maximum hauling capability, utilizing the superior 40.3 cu ft of standard cargo space.
You desire a slightly more agile footprint, as the Atlas Cross Sport is nearly 8.4 inches shorter in length.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	GMC Acadia	Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Length	204.0"	195.6"
Width	79.6"	78.3"
Height	70.1"	68.1"
Wheelbase	120.9"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	GMC	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 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 Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	GMC	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	GMC	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	GMC	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	0/0 mi.	372.0/483.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	—	18.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	GMC	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	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	GMC	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	15.0 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	GMC	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	4	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	GMC	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	42.6 in.	39.4 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	59.2 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 Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	GMC	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	60.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.4 in.	58.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	GMC	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/65R18	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	GMC	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 GMC Acadia and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

Which crossover is faster off the line, the 2025 Acadia or the Atlas Cross Sport?

The 2025 GMC Acadia is definitively faster, sporting 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque compared to the Atlas Cross Sport's 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This nearly 60-horsepower difference will be noticeable during aggressive acceleration and highway passing maneuvers.

Does the larger 2025 Acadia offer more room for luggage?

Surprisingly, no; the smaller Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is the clear winner for hauling gear. The Atlas boasts an expansive 40.3 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly overshadowing the Acadia's 23 cu ft figure.

Since both list 23 MPG combined, is their fuel efficiency identical?

While both achieve 23 MPG combined and use regular unleaded fuel, the Acadia has a slight edge on the highway at 27 MPG versus the Atlas Cross Sport's 26 MPG. However, they share the exact same 20 MPG city rating.

What is the primary financial difference between these two crossovers?

The price gap is substantial: the 2025 GMC Acadia starts at $42,900, while the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport enters the driveway at just $37,190, saving the buyer $5,710 upfront.

Do either of these vehicles offer All-Wheel Drive configurations?

Based on the provided data, both the standard configurations listed specify Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.