2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

$38,045 · Crossover

$37,190 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the sophisticated 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the spacious 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boils down to prioritizing power versus pure utility. If maximizing interior volume for cargo is paramount, the Atlas Cross Sport delivers a massive advantage with 40.3 cu ft versus the CX-90’s 14.9 cu ft in the rear. However, the CX-90 leads in performance metrics, boasting 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque compared to the Atlas’s 269 hp and 273 lb-ft. Fuel economy is another close contest; the CX-90 achieves a slightly better combined 25 MPG, edging out the Atlas’s 23 MPG. The Mazda also includes standard All-Wheel Drive, while the VW is Front-Wheel Drive in its base configuration, despite having a lower starting MSRP of $38,045 for the Mazda versus the VW's $37,190. This comparison highlights a classic trade-off: refined driving dynamics versus raw hauling capability.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 offers superior fuel efficiency at 25 MPG combined and comes standard with AWD, making it slightly more versatile for varying daily conditions.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport wins easily for families due to its enormous 40.3 cu ft of cargo space, significantly outpacing the CX-90’s 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90 appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its higher output of 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport offers substantially more utility for a lower entry price point, starting at $37,190.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

You value a more powerful engine setup, providing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
You prefer standard All-Wheel Drive capability right off the lot.
You prioritize slightly better fuel economy, achieving 25 MPG combined.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...

Maximum cargo hauling is essential, given its 40.3 cu ft capacity.
You are looking for the lower entry price, starting at $37,190.
You are comfortable with Front-Wheel Drive as the standard configuration.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mazda CX-90	Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Length	200.8"	195.6"
Width	78.5"	78.3"
Height	68.2"	68.1"
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	✓	✓
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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
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	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	444.0/518.0 mi.	372.0/483.6 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	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	—
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	10.3 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	8	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Memory Card Slot	✓	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	39.7 in.	39.4 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: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	4-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mazda	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	37.8 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.4 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.1 in.	60.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	55.5 in.	58.7 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-90 and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

How much more cargo room does the Atlas Cross Sport offer compared to the CX-90?

The difference in utility is dramatic; the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport provides 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. In contrast, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 trails significantly with only 14.9 cubic feet in the same configuration.

Is the base powertrain significantly stronger in the Mazda CX-90?

Yes, the CX-90 has the performance edge with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque available from its standard engine. The Atlas Cross Sport provides a respectable 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.

Which vehicle will cost less at the pump day-to-day?

The Mazda CX-90 is marginally more fuel-efficient, rated at 25 MPG combined compared to the Atlas Cross Sport's 23 MPG combined. Both use regular unleaded fuel.

What is the main difference in standard drive type between these two crossovers?

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 comes standard with an All-Wheel Drive system, appealing to those needing consistent traction. The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is standard with Front-Wheel Drive.

How close are the starting prices for these two vehicles?

They are quite close, with the Atlas Cross Sport having a slight advantage at $37,190 MSRP, compared to the CX-90's starting MSRP of $38,045.

Are these vehicles comparable in exterior size?

The Mazda CX-90 is longer overall, measuring 200.8 inches compared to the Atlas Cross Sport's 195.6 inches. Width and height differences are negligible, with both vehicles being over 78 inches wide.