2025 Honda Pilot vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

$40,200 · Crossover

$38,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The battle for mainstream three-row supremacy heats up between the robust 2025 Honda Pilot and the newly sharpened 2025 Volkswagen Atlas. The Pilot bursts onto the scene with a naturally aspirated 285 hp engine and a sophisticated 10-speed automatic, offering slightly more peak power for those who push hard. Conversely, the Atlas grabs attention with its accessible $38,200 starting MSRP, beating the Pilot's $40,200 entry point, and it compensates for slightly less horsepower (269 hp) with a healthier 273 lb-ft of torque. Both crossovers land at an identical 22 MPG combined, but the Atlas pulls ahead in utility, boasting a superior 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft. While the Pilot is slightly shorter at 199.9 inches, the Atlas leans into pure spaciousness, creating a compelling argument for practicality seekers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas offers a slightly better city MPG rating of 20 compared to the Pilot's 19 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas provides more pure utility with 20.6 cu ft of cargo space, significantly outperforming the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Pilot

The Pilot's more powerful 285 hp V6 paired with a smoother 10-speed transmission appeals more to driving enthusiasts.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas secures the value win by offering a lower starting MSRP of $38,200 versus the Pilot's $40,200.

Choose the Honda Pilot if...

You prioritize peak engine output, as the Pilot delivers 285 horsepower, surpassing the Atlas's 269 hp.
You prefer the quick, precise shifting action of a 10-speed automatic transmission.
You favor the Honda brand's renowned reputation for long-term powertrain durability and resale.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

Maximizing pure storage is essential, given the Atlas's class-leading 20.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
You want to save $2,000 upfront with the Pilot's significantly lower starting MSRP of $38,200.
You need slightly better city fuel economy, as the Atlas achieves 20 MPG city versus 19 MPG for the Pilot.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Pilot	Volkswagen Atlas
Length	199.9"	200.7"
Width	78.5"	78.3"
Height	71.0"	70.4"
Wheelbase	113.8"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	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	✓	✓
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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Fog Lights	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

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	285 hp @ 6100 rpm	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	262 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	10-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	19/27 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.5/499.5 mi.	372.0/483.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	✓	—
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	240W	—
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	40.5 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.0 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.9 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	58.4 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
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	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	40.2 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.8 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.7 in.	60.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	57.4 in.	58.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	20 x 8.0 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/50R	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	—

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	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas.

How do the fuel economy figures compare for the 2025 Pilot versus the 2025 Atlas?

Both crossovers achieve an identical combined rating of 22 MPG. However, the Atlas holds a slight edge in the city at 20 MPG compared to the Pilot’s 19 MPG, though the Pilot nets one extra highway mile at 27 MPG versus the Atlas's 26 MPG.

Which vehicle offers more usable space for hauling gear?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is the superior hauler, offering 20.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row. The 2025 Honda Pilot lags slightly behind with 18.6 cubic feet in the same configuration.

Is there a significant difference in raw engine output between these two SUVs?

Yes, the Honda Pilot generates 285 horsepower from its engine, exceeding the Atlas’s 269 horsepower rating. However, the Atlas compensates with greater pulling power, delivering 273 lb-ft of torque versus the Pilot’s 262 lb-ft.

What is the MSRP difference between the base models?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas starts at $38,200, giving it a $2,000 price advantage over the 2025 Honda Pilot, which begins its lineup at $40,200.

Do these FWD crossovers use different types of transmissions?

The transmission philosophies differ: the Honda Pilot utilizes a more complex 10-speed shiftable automatic for potentially smoother operation, while the Volkswagen Atlas employs an 8-speed shiftable automatic.