2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$37,190 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant numerical disparity between the 2026 Mazda CX-90 and the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport lies in torque output, where the CX-90 delivers 332 lb-ft compared to the Atlas Cross Sport's 273 lb-ft. The CX-90 also claims a slight edge in fuel economy, achieving 25 MPG combined against the Atlas’s 23 MPG combined, with its superior City MPG of 23 versus the VW’s 20 MPG. While the Atlas Cross Sport is marginally less expensive at an MSRP of $37,190 versus the CX-90's $38,800, the Mazda compensates with a more powerful 280 hp engine (vs. 269 hp). Furthermore, the CX-90 includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), whereas the Atlas starts at Front Wheel Drive (FWD). However, the Atlas offers substantially more utility with 40.3 cu ft of cargo space, far exceeding the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft, despite the Mazda being 5.2 inches longer overall.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mazda CX-90

The CX-90’s superior City MPG of 23 and standard AWD make it a marginally more efficient and capable daily driver.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport provides vastly superior utility with 40.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 appeals more strongly with 332 lb-ft of torque and 280 horsepower versus the VW’s 273 lb-ft and 269 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Atlas Cross Sport undercuts the CX-90 on MSRP by $1,610 while still delivering substantial cargo volume.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport if...

You prioritize maximum cargo volume, as the Atlas offers 40.3 cu ft versus 14.9 cu ft in the CX-90.
Sticking to a budget is critical, as the Atlas starts at an MSRP of $37,190, making it $1,610 cheaper.
You prefer FWD configurations, as the base Atlas Cross Sport utilizes a front-wheel-drive layout.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Superior power figures are necessary, due to the CX-90's higher torque output of 332 lb-ft.
Standard All-Wheel Drive capability is a non-negotiable requirement for the vehicle.
Better fuel efficiency is sought, as the CX-90 achieves a 25 MPG combined rating over the Atlas's 23 MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport	Mazda CX-90
Length	195.6"	200.8"
Width	78.3"	78.5"
Height	68.1"	68.3"
Wheelbase	117.3"	122.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic 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 Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Preparation System	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	—
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Cornering 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	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	—
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.3 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 6
Base Engine Type	gas	mild hybrid
Horsepower	269 hp @ 5500 rpm	280 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	332 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

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

Fuel

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	23/28 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	372.0/483.6 mi.	425.5/518.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.6 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	—
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	39.7 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	59.2 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	56.2 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	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Driver Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Passenger Seat Ventilation	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Rear Head Room	37.8 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	40.4 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.4 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.7 in.	55.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Volkswagen	Mazda
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited 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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and 2026 Mazda CX-90.

Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for highway driving?

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 shows an advantage on the highway, achieving 28 MPG compared to the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s 26 MPG highway rating. This 2 MPG difference could translate to fewer stops at the pump over long distances.

How do the dimensions compare, particularly for parking in tight spaces?

The Atlas Cross Sport is slightly shorter at 195.6 inches in length versus the CX-90's 200.8 inches, giving the VW a minor advantage in overall footprint. Both vehicles share very similar widths (78.3 vs 78.5 inches).

Is the difference in horsepower significant between these two crossovers?

The power difference is minimal on paper; the CX-90 generates 280 hp, which is just 11 horsepower more than the Atlas Cross Sport's 269 hp. The larger 59 lb-ft torque advantage for the Mazda is likely a more noticeable performance differentiator.

What is the main trade-off when selecting the more affordable Atlas Cross Sport?

The primary trade-off involves drivetrain and capacity; the Atlas starts with FWD and sacrifices nearly 25 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the more capable, standard AWD equipped CX-90.

Do both vehicles use the same type of gasoline?

Yes, both the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the 2026 Mazda CX-90 are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, meaning neither requires premium gasoline for their listed performance figures.

Which transmission handles shifting duties in these models?

Both vehicles are equipped with an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This specification indicates a similar approach to gear management across the two models.