2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Honda Pilot blasts off with a punchy 285 hp, signaling a focus on immediate power delivery, while the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas counters with greater low-end grunt, boasting 273 lb-ft of torque against the Pilot's 262 lb-ft. Both are substantial three-row cruisers, but the Atlas enjoys a slight edge in efficiency and sheer utility, achieving 23 combined MPG versus the Pilot's 22, and offering a superior 20.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft. The Pilot's larger 10-speed transmission promises potentially smoother highway cruising than the Atlas's 8-speed unit, but the Atlas slips in at a lower entry price of $39,310 versus the Pilot's $40,200. Dynamically, the nearly identical 199.9-inch length (Pilot) versus 200.7 inches (Atlas) suggests comparable road presence, but the Atlas wins on base cargo volume, making it the practical champion.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
The 2026 VW Atlas wins for commuters due to its slightly superior 23 combined MPG rating and lower starting MSRP of $39,310.
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Families will benefit more from the Atlas's maximum usable space, delivering 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Pilot's 18.6 cu ft.
2025 Honda Pilot
Enthusiasts seeking the highest peak power figure will prefer the 2025 Honda Pilot's 285 hp engine.
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas offers better raw utility and fuel economy for a lower entry price point of $39,310.
Choose the Honda Pilot if...
- You prioritize the highest available horsepower figure, topping out at 285 hp.
- You prefer the refinement associated with a sophisticated 10-speed automatic transmission.
- You desire the superior outright engine output for spirited driving situations.
Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...
- You need the maximum available cargo volume, boasting 20.6 cu ft behind the third row.
- You are optimizing for fuel economy, earning 23 combined MPG.
- You want the lower starting point with an MSRP of $39,310.
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 | 20/27 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 22 MPG | 23 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 351.5/499.5 mi. | 372.0/502.2 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 2026 Volkswagen Atlas.
Which crossover is more powerful between the 2025 Pilot and the 2026 Atlas?
The 2025 Honda Pilot holds the advantage in peak horsepower, producing 285 hp. However, the 2026 VW Atlas delivers more pulling force with 273 lb-ft of torque compared to the Pilot's 262 lb-ft.
How do the fuel economy figures compare for these front-wheel-drive models?
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads slightly in efficiency, achieving 23 combined MPG (20 city/27 highway). The 2025 Honda Pilot returns 22 combined MPG (19 city/27 highway).
Does the difference in transmission technology matter between the two?
Yes, the Pilot uses a 10-speed automatic, which typically allows for closer gear ratios and potentially smoother acceleration. The Atlas utilizes an 8-speed automatic.
Which vehicle offers more space for cargo when all seats are occupied?
The 2026 Atlas is the more practical choice for luggage, offering 20.6 cu ft of cargo space. The 2025 Pilot provides a slightly tighter 18.6 cu ft in the same configuration.
What is the price difference between the base models?
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas starts at a more accessible $39,310 MSRP. The 2025 Honda Pilot begins at $40,200, making the Atlas nearly $900 cheaper at the entry level.
Are these crossovers significantly different in exterior size?
They are very similar in footprint; the Atlas is marginally longer at 200.7 inches versus the Pilot's 199.9 inches, while the Pilot is slightly taller at 71.0 inches compared to the Atlas's 70.4 inches.
More Mid-Range SUVs ($30k-$50k)
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool