2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

$40,445 · Crossover

$38,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the plug-in utility of the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the sheer size of the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas boils down to priority: electric savings versus maximum space. The Outlander PHEV, starting at $40,445, offers an impressive 38 miles of pure electric range, which can significantly cut daily fuel costs compared to the Atlas’s standard 22 MPG combined. However, the Atlas, priced lower at $38,200, compensates with raw power, boasting 269 hp versus the Outlander’s 248 hp, though it only delivers 20/26 MPG city/highway. Furthermore, the Atlas is substantially longer at 200.7 inches, offering a vast 20.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, dwarfing the Outlander’s 12.8 cu ft, making the sizing difference a major deciding factor for larger families needing roomier hauls.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The Outlander PHEV's 38-mile electric range allows many commuters to complete daily travel without using any gasoline.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is the clear winner for families needing space, offering a much larger 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

Enthusiasts will appreciate the Atlas’s slightly higher 269 hp output and 273 lb-ft of torque delivered through a conventional 8-speed automatic.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas wins on upfront price at $38,200 and provides more usable size, despite the Outlander's fuel savings potential.

Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV if...

You prioritize low running costs and can charge regularly, thanks to the 38-mile electric range.
You prefer the confidence of standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for various weather conditions.
You need a slightly smaller footprint, measuring 185.4 inches long.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

Your top priority is maximum interior room, as the Atlas offers 20.6 cu ft of cargo space.
You want more immediate power, evidenced by the 269 hp engine.
You are looking for the lower initial purchase price, starting at $38,200.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV	Volkswagen Atlas
Length	185.4"	200.7"
Width	84.4"	78.3"
Height	68.5"	70.4"
Wheelbase	106.5"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Headlight Washers	✓	—
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	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	plug-in hybrid	gas
Horsepower	248 hp	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Torque	—	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm

Drive Train

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	1-speed direct drive	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	25/27 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	370.0/399.6 mi.	372.0/483.6 mi.
EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe)	67/61 MPGe	—
EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe)	64 MPGe	—
EPA Electric Driving Range	38 mi.	—
EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi)	52	—
Charging Time (240V)	6.5 hr.	—
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.8 gal.	18.6 gal.
DC Fast Charging Port Type	CHAdeMO	—

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Rear Door Pockets	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
One-Touch Power Windows	1	—
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	40.6 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.9 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	58.4 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.1 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.1 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	60.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	53.3 in.	58.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
One-Piece Folding Third Row Seat	✓	—
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.0 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P235/60R18	245/60R18
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Mitsubishi	Volkswagen
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Hybrid Component Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	—
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	7 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 30000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas.

How does the electric range of the Outlander PHEV compare to the Atlas’s gas-only efficiency?

The 2025 Outlander PHEV provides 38 miles of all-electric driving before needing gas, where it achieves a combined 26 MPG; conversely, the Atlas operates purely on regular unleaded gasoline, delivering a combined 22 MPG.

Which vehicle is truly bigger for hauling cargo?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is significantly larger, with a length of 200.7 inches and a maximum cargo capacity of 20.6 cu ft, compared to the Outlander PHEV's 12.8 cu ft.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV underpowered compared to the Atlas?

While the Atlas leads in peak output with 269 hp, the Outlander PHEV is still capable with 248 hp, meaning the difference of 21 hp is noticeable but likely minor for standard driving duties.

Which car is cheaper to purchase outright?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has the lower Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at $38,200, compared to the Outlander PHEV which starts at $40,445.

Do these cars offer different drive systems?

Yes, the Outlander PHEV comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, while the base model Atlas utilizes Front Wheel Drive paired with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.