2025 Mazda CX-90 vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Mazda CX-90 and the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas often comes down to prioritizing driving dynamics versus outright space. If your dilemma involves balancing premium feel against cavernous utility, look closely at the core differences. The CX-90 starts cheaper at $38,045 compared to the Atlas's $39,310, and delivers a punchier powertrain with 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque versus the Atlas's 269 hp and 273 lb-ft. The Mazda also wins on fuel economy, achieving 25 MPG combined against the Atlas's 23 MPG combined, using regular unleaded in both cases. However, the Atlas counters with significantly more room, boasting 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the CX-90’s tight 14.9 cu ft. While both are large crossovers near 200.8 inches long, the Atlas is noticeably taller at 70.4 inches, which aids in that massive storage area.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Mazda CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 is the better commuter due to its superior combined fuel economy of 25 MPG.
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
The Volkswagen Atlas is the definitive choice for families needing maximum hauling capacity, offering 20.6 cu ft versus the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.
2025 Mazda CX-90
The CX-90 appeals more to driving enthusiasts by offering more standard power with 280 horsepower and standard All-Wheel Drive.
2025 Mazda CX-90
The Mazda CX-90 offers better performance and better mileage for a lower starting MSRP of $38,045.
Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...
- You value a more energetic driving experience, evidenced by its 280 hp engine.
- You want the slightly lower entry price point, starting at $38,045.
- You prioritize better fuel efficiency with 25 MPG combined and standard AWD.
Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...
- Maximum interior storage is critical, as the Atlas provides an expansive 20.6 cu ft of cargo space.
- You prefer a taller ride height, with the Atlas measuring 70.4 inches high.
- You need standard Front-Wheel Drive and don't mind the slightly lower 23 MPG combined rating.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Mazda CX-90 | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 200.8" | 200.7" |
| Width | 78.5" | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | 20/27 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan 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. | 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: 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. | 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-90 and 2026 Volkswagen Atlas.
Which car has more usable cargo space for weekly errands?
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas wins handily in cargo capacity, offering 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row. The 2025 Mazda CX-90 is significantly smaller in that area, providing only 14.9 cubic feet of storage.
How much more power does the CX-90 offer over the Atlas?
The Mazda CX-90 has a clear horsepower advantage, generating 280 hp compared to the Atlas's 269 hp. This translates to 332 lb-ft of torque for the Mazda versus the Atlas's 273 lb-ft, suggesting better acceleration.
Is one of these models more fuel-efficient for daily driving?
Yes, the Mazda CX-90 is more economical, achieving a 25 MPG combined rating, whereas the Volkswagen Atlas is rated for 23 MPG combined. Both vehicles, however, use standard regular unleaded fuel.
What is the primary difference in their drivetrain setup?
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), providing better traction in varied conditions. Conversely, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas is equipped with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) as standard.
Considering the starting price, which one provides better value?
The Mazda CX-90 offers better value based on the raw numbers, starting at $38,045 compared to $39,310 for the Atlas, while also delivering superior horsepower and fuel economy figures.
Are these two crossovers vastly different in physical size?
Dimensionally, they are very similar in length (around 200.8 inches) and width, but the Atlas is substantially taller at 70.4 inches versus the CX-90's 68.2 inches, contributing to its greater internal volume.
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