2025 Honda Ridgeline vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

$40,150 · Crossover

$38,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Picking between the 2025 Honda Ridgeline (starting at $40,150) and the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas (MSRP $38,200) often boils down to a trade-off between truck utility and outright passenger space. If your primary need is hauling lightweight gear or needing the security of AWD, the Ridgeline offers a modest 280 hp and standard All-Wheel Drive. However, the Atlas, while Front-Wheel Drive standard, provides significantly more utility for passengers, boasting a massive 20.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Ridgeline's measly 7.3 cu ft. The Atlas also edges out the Ridgeline slightly on fuel economy, achieving 22 MPG combined versus the Ridgeline’s 21 MPG combined. Despite being less powerful on paper (269 hp vs 280 hp), the Atlas manages better torque (273 lb-ft vs 262 lb-ft), suggesting better low-end pulling, though the Ridgeline features a slightly higher horsepower figure.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 22 MPG and lower entry price of $38,200.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is the clear winner for families because it offers nearly three times the cargo capacity at 20.6 cu ft compared to the Ridgeline's 7.3 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its 280 hp output and standard All-Wheel Drive system, despite having slightly less torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas presents better immediate value, costing $1,950 less at the starting MSRP while offering substantially more usable interior volume.

Choose the Honda Ridgeline if...

You prioritize having All-Wheel Drive standard for better traction management.
You need the slightly higher peak horsepower rating of 280 hp.
You prefer the functionality inherent in a crossover designed with light truck bed versatility, even if the capacity is small (7.3 cu ft).

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

You absolutely need maximum storage, as the Atlas boasts 20.6 cu ft versus 7.3 cu ft.
You want to save money upfront with a lower MSRP of $38,200.
Better city fuel efficiency is important, with the Atlas achieving 20 MPG in the city compared to the Ridgeline's 18 MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda Ridgeline	Volkswagen Atlas
Length	210.2"	200.7"
Width	78.6"	78.3"
Height	70.8"	70.4"
Wheelbase	125.2"	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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
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	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)	18/24 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	21 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	351.0/468.0 mi.	372.0/483.6 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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front 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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	215W	—
Speaker System	7	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	40.1 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: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
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	Honda	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	38.8 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.7 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	60.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.6 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 Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
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 Ridgeline and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas.

Which vehicle is better for highway trips regarding fuel costs?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas generally has the edge on the highway, rated for 26 MPG compared to the Ridgeline's 24 MPG. While both use regular unleaded, the Atlas's slightly better highway rating will result in fewer fuel stops on long journeys.

How much smaller is the Ridgeline's cargo area than the Atlas?

The difference is significant: the Atlas provides 20.6 cubic feet of cargo volume, whereas the Ridgeline offers only 7.3 cubic feet. This means the Atlas can swallow nearly three times the luggage or groceries.

Does the horsepower difference translate to a noticeable performance gap?

The Ridgeline has 280 hp to the Atlas's 269 hp, a small difference. However, the Atlas counters with more torque (273 lb-ft vs 262 lb-ft), which might make it feel slightly peppier during initial acceleration from a stop.

If I live in a snowy area, which drivetrain is preferable?

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, which is typically preferred over the Atlas's standard Front-Wheel Drive setup for reliably handling snow and slick roads.

Which vehicle has a longer body overall?

The 2025 Honda Ridgeline is the longer vehicle, measuring 210.2 inches in length compared to the Atlas's 200.7 inches. This extra 9.5 inches of length on the Ridgeline does not translate into more usable cargo volume, though.

Are the base prices very different?

Yes, there is a slight price advantage for the VW Atlas. It starts at $38,200, which is $1,950 cheaper than the 2025 Honda Ridgeline's starting MSRP of $40,150.