2025 Nissan Murano vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

$40,470 · Crossover

$38,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant quantifiable difference is the power output, where the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas offers 269 horsepower, a notable 28 hp advantage over the 2025 Nissan Murano’s 241 hp, alongside a superior 273 lb-ft of torque compared to the Murano's 260 lb-ft. However, the Atlas is larger overall, measuring 200.7 inches long versus the Murano’s 192.9 inches, resulting in a substantial trade-off in utility; the Murano offers 32.9 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Atlas’s 20.6 cu ft in standard configuration. From an efficiency standpoint, the Murano maintains a slight edge with a combined 23 MPG rating (21/27 city/highway), while the Atlas manages 22 MPG combined (20/26 city/highway). Pricing also favors the Atlas, starting at an MSRP of $38,200, which undercuts the Murano’s $40,470 entry price, despite the Murano using a 9-speed automatic transmission against the Atlas’s 8-speed unit.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano offers superior fuel economy at 23 MPG combined, which reduces running costs for daily commuting.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Murano

Despite its smaller exterior, the Murano provides significantly more usable storage with 32.9 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Atlas’s 20.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas delivers higher performance metrics with 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas starts at a lower MSRP of $38,200, providing more horsepower per dollar spent.

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

Fuel economy is a primary concern, as the Murano achieves 23 MPG combined versus 22 MPG for the Atlas.
Maximizing cargo space in the base trim is necessary, as the Murano offers 32.9 cu ft compared to 20.6 cu ft.
A smoother shifting experience is desired from the 9-speed automatic transmission over the Atlas's 8-speed.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

Higher outright power is required, evidenced by the Atlas's 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
The lowest possible starting price is essential, as the Atlas begins at $38,200 compared to the Murano's $40,470.
A larger physical footprint is preferred, with the Atlas measuring 200.7 inches long and 70.4 inches high.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Murano	Volkswagen Atlas
Length	192.9"	200.7"
Width	78.0"	78.3"
Height	67.9"	70.4"
Wheelbase	111.2"	117.3"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	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	✓	✓
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 Preparation System	✓	✓
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 Fixed Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Cornering Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Volkswagen
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	241 hp @ 5600 rpm	269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	260 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Nissan	Volkswagen
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Volkswagen
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	21/27 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	392.7/504.9 mi.	372.0/483.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.7 gal.	18.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	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	✓	✓
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	✓	—
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Volkswagen
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	12.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Volkswagen
Front Head Room	41.1 in.	41.3 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	61.5 in.
Front Hip Room	56.9 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 Power Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	—	✓
Driver Seat Ventilation	—	✓
Passenger Seat Ventilation	—	✓

Rearseats

Feature	Nissan	Volkswagen
Rear Head Room	39.7 in.	40.4 in.
Rear Leg Room	36.3 in.	37.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	58.5 in.	60.5 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.9 in.	58.6 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Volkswagen
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Cover Type	Full	—
Wheel Diameter	20 in.	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P255/55R20	245/60R18
Wheel Size	—	18 x 8.0 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	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./ 24000 mi.	2 yr./ 20000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Murano and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas.

Which vehicle has better fuel efficiency for highway driving?

The 2025 Nissan Murano is slightly more efficient on the highway, achieving 27 MPG compared to the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas's 26 MPG. This results in a 1 MPG difference in highway driving cycles.

How does the cargo capacity compare between the two crossovers?

The Murano leads significantly in standard cargo volume, offering 32.9 cu ft, which is over 12 cubic feet more than the Atlas's 20.6 cu ft. This metric suggests the Murano is better suited for hauling large volumes of gear.

Is the Atlas faster than the Murano based on published specs?

Yes, the Atlas demonstrates superior performance specifications with 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, exceeding the Murano's 241 hp and 260 lb-ft. This 28 hp advantage suggests quicker acceleration potential for the Atlas.

What is the price difference between the base models?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has a lower starting MSRP at $38,200, whereas the 2025 Nissan Murano is priced higher at $40,470. This establishes a $2,270 difference in entry cost favoring the Atlas.

Are there differences in transmission technology?

The Murano utilizes a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, potentially offering finer gear spacing for efficiency. In contrast, the Atlas employs an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

How do the exterior dimensions contrast?

The Atlas is notably longer at 200.7 inches compared to the Murano’s 192.9 inches, and also taller at 70.4 inches versus 67.9 inches, suggesting a bulkier exterior presence for the Volkswagen.