2025 Honda Passport vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas

$42,400 · Crossover

$39,310 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

When trying to decide between the rugged 2025 Honda Passport and the newly redesigned 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, many buyers wrestle with balancing rugged capability against lower entry price. The Passport immediately sets itself apart with 280 horsepower and standard All-Wheel Drive, appealing to those needing sure footing, though it sacrifices efficiency, achieving only 21 combined MPG. Conversely, the Atlas comes in significantly cheaper at $39,310 compared to the Passport's $42,400 MSRP and manages better fuel economy at 23 combined MPG, though its standard setup is Front-Wheel Drive. Interestingly, while the Atlas is longer at 200.7 inches, the Passport boasts a much larger 50.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which is a crucial metric for active users. The Atlas counters with slightly better torque at 273 lb-ft versus the Passport's 262 lb-ft, suggesting a different feel when accelerating.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas wins for commuters due to its better fuel efficiency, offering 23 combined MPG versus the Passport's 21 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Honda Passport

The 2025 Honda Passport is better suited for families needing significant storage, offering 50.5 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Atlas's 20.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Passport

The Passport appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its superior 280 horsepower and standard All-Wheel Drive system.

💰 Best Value

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas delivers superior initial value, starting at $39,310, which is $3,090 less expensive than the Honda Passport.

Choose the Honda Passport if...

You require maximum usable cargo space, as the Passport delivers 50.5 cu ft.
You prioritize outright power, benefiting from the Passport's 280 horsepower rating.
You need standard capability in varied conditions, thanks to the Passport's standard All-Wheel Drive.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

Your budget is tight, given the Atlas's $3,090 lower starting price of $39,310.
Fuel economy is paramount, with the Atlas achieving 27 MPG highway versus 24 MPG in the Passport.
You prefer slightly more pulling grunt, as the Atlas provides 273 lb-ft of torque.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Passport	Volkswagen Atlas
Length	189.1"	200.7"
Width	78.6"	78.3"
Height	72.2"	70.4"
Wheelbase	110.9"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 6000 rpm	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Single overhead cam (SOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
[object Object]	✓	—
[object Object]	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/24 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	370.5/468.0 mi.	372.0/502.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.5 gal.	18.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	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	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	215W	—
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	2	—
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Passenger Mirror	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	39.5 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.0 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	59.1 in.	58.4 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	4-way	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.6 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	60.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.3 in.	58.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	20 in.	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/45R	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	—	18 x 8.0 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Honda	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	3 yr./ 36000 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 Honda Passport and 2026 Volkswagen Atlas.

What is the biggest difference in size between the 2025 Passport and the 2026 Atlas?

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas is significantly longer, measuring 200.7 inches compared to the Passport's 189.1 inches. However, the Passport is notably taller at 72.2 inches, which helps it achieve superior cargo capacity behind the rear seats.

Does the Atlas's lower horsepower mean it feels sluggish compared to the Passport?

While the Atlas has less horsepower at 269 hp versus the Passport's 280 hp, the Atlas counters with 273 lb-ft of torque, slightly exceeding the Passport's 262 lb-ft, which might translate to similar low-end responsiveness.

Which vehicle is better for daily driving efficiency?

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas is the more efficient choice for daily commuting, achieving 23 combined MPG. The 2025 Honda Passport trails slightly with 21 combined MPG, likely due to its standard AWD system.

Why does the Passport cost over $3,000 more than the Atlas?

The primary reason for the $42,400 MSRP on the Passport is its standard inclusion of All-Wheel Drive and likely a different packaging strategy, whereas the base Atlas starts lower at $39,310 with Front-Wheel Drive.

If I haul gear often, which crossover has better space?

The 2025 Honda Passport is the clear winner for cargo haulers, providing 50.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row. The 2026 Atlas offers considerably less, with only 20.6 cubic feet in that configuration.

Are both vehicles able to use regular unleaded gasoline?

Yes, both the 2025 Honda Passport and the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas specify regular unleaded as their required fuel type, helping to keep long-term operating costs predictable.