2025 Mazda CX-70 vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas

$40,445 · Crossover

$39,310 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the sporty luxury feel of the 2025 Mazda CX-70 and the sheer bulk of the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas can be tough. If your main concern is blending power with efficiency, the Mazda pulls ahead immediately, delivering 280 hp and achieving 25 MPG combined, significantly better than the Atlas's 23 MPG combined. However, the Atlas offers a massive advantage in passenger and raw utility space, boasting a taller frame at 70.4 inches versus the CX-70's 68.2 inches. The price point is competitive, with the Atlas starting lower at $39,310 compared to the CX-70's $40,445, though the Mazda offers standard All-Wheel Drive versus the Atlas's FWD base. For pure driving enjoyment, the CX-70’s 332 lb-ft of torque overmatches the Atlas's 273 lb-ft, but families might overlook that for the Atlas's inherent size, even if it sacrifices rear cargo volume, offering only 20.6 cu ft against the Mazda's 39.6 cu ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-70

The Mazda CX-70 wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 25 MPG versus the Atlas's 23 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is better for large families needing maximum height and passenger room, despite its smaller base cargo volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-70

The CX-70 is the choice for enthusiasts because it generates more horsepower (280 hp) and significantly more torque (332 lb-ft).

💰 Best Value

2026 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas offers better baseline value with a lower starting MSRP of $39,310 compared to the CX-70's $40,445.

Choose the Mazda CX-70 if...

You prioritize fuel efficiency and expect 25 MPG combined for your daily driving.
You prefer the driving dynamics of standard All-Wheel Drive over the Atlas's FWD.
You want punchier performance figures, specifically 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

You frequently need maximum vertical space, as the Atlas is over two inches taller (70.4 inches).
You are focused strictly on the lowest entry price point at $39,310.
You are carrying a larger number of passengers where sheer cabin space outweighs cargo volume.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-70	Volkswagen Atlas
Length	200.8"	200.7"
Width	-	78.3"
Height	68.2"	70.4"
Wheelbase	122.8"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
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	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling 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	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Brake Assist	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	3.3 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	280 hp @ 5000 rpm	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	332 lb-ft @ 2000 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	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	24/28 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	372.0/502.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	18.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mazda	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	✓	✓
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	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
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	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
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	Mazda	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	4	—
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass	—
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	59.2 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	56.2 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
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	Mazda	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	60.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	58.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	19 x 8.5 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	265/55R19	245/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mazda	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./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mazda CX-70 and 2026 Volkswagen Atlas.

Does the smaller cargo area of the 2026 Atlas impact its usability?

Yes, the 2026 Atlas only offers 20.6 cu ft of cargo space, which is significantly less than the 39.6 cu ft found in the 2025 CX-70. If you haul large items regularly, the CX-70 is the clear winner for storage volume.

How do these two crossovers handle daily highway cruising regarding efficiency?

The CX-70 holds a slight efficiency advantage on the highway, achieving 28 MPG highway compared to the Atlas's 27 MPG highway. While close, the CX-70’s 25 MPG combined rating is preferable for minimizing fuel stops.

Is the 2025 Mazda CX-70 more powerful than the 2026 VW Atlas?

Yes, the Mazda comes out ahead in raw power, delivering 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, easily surpassing the Atlas's 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.

Which vehicle is physically larger overall?

While both are nearly identical in length (around 200.8 inches), the 2026 Atlas is substantially taller at 70.4 inches versus the CX-70’s 68.2 inches, making the Atlas feel larger inside.

Are both vehicles compatible with regular unleaded gasoline?

Yes, both the 2025 Mazda CX-70 and the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas specify regular unleaded as their required fuel type, which helps keep running costs predictable.

What is the drivetrain difference between the base models?

The base 2025 Mazda CX-70 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, whereas the entry-level 2026 Volkswagen Atlas utilizes Front Wheel Drive, which is a significant consideration for different climates.