2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2026 Buick Enclave

$38,200 · Crossover

$46,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas roars onto the scene focused on robust utility, boasting a capable 269 hp and a notably lower starting MSRP of $38,200, making it the pragmatic choice for spacious transport. Conversely, the 2026 Buick Enclave attacks with undeniable vigor, throwing down a massive 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, promising a significantly punchier drive, though it comes with an $8,000 premium over the VW, starting at $46,200. While both large crossovers offer similar fuel efficiency around 22-23 MPG combined, the Enclave sneaks ahead with 27 MPG highway versus the Atlas's 26 MPG. Dimensionally, the Enclave is longer at 207.6 inches compared to the Atlas’s 200.7 inches, translating to slightly more utility, evidenced by its 22.9 cu ft cargo capacity against the VW's 20.6 cu ft. This comparison pits raw value against significant performance gains.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas wins for commuters due to its lower starting MSRP of $38,200, making daily driving costs lower overall.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Buick Enclave

The Enclave edges out the win by offering superior passenger/cargo space with its 22.9 cu ft capacity and greater overall bulk (207.6 inches long).

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Buick Enclave

The 2026 Buick Enclave dominates the excitement factor with 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, a clear performance advantage over the Atlas's 269 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas provides excellent utility for $8,000 less than the Buick Enclave, cementing its status as the better value proposition.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

You absolutely must keep the starting price under $40,000, as the Atlas begins at $38,200.
You prefer a slightly less bulky vehicle, with the Atlas measuring 200.7 inches in length.
You want reliable power delivery without paying a premium for the 328 hp engine of the competition.

Choose the Buick Enclave if...

Maximizing power is key, as the Enclave delivers an extra 59 horsepower (328 hp total).
You require the maximum cargo space available, with the Enclave offering 22.9 cubic feet.
You value the prestige and higher specification that accompanies the $46,200 starting price.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Atlas	Buick Enclave
Length	200.7"	207.6"
Width	78.3"	79.6"
Height	70.4"	71.0"
Wheelbase	117.3"	120.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
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	✓	✓
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 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	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	269 hp @ 5500 rpm	328 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	326 lb-ft @ 3500 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	Volkswagen	Buick
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	372.0/483.6 mi.	388.0/523.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.6 gal.	19.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Front View Camera	—	✓
Side View Camera	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Sun Sensor	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
Infotainment Display	12.0 in	30.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	12
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bose
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
Front Head Room	41.3 in.	42.6 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	62.2 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	58.7 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	2-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Driver Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Passenger Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
Rear Head Room	40.4 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.6 in.	41.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.5 in.	62.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.6 in.	58.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	P255/55R20
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Volkswagen	Buick
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.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 20000 mi.	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and 2026 Buick Enclave.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Buick Enclave than the 2025 VW Atlas?

The Enclave holds a significant power advantage, generating 328 horsepower compared to the Atlas's 269 horsepower, resulting in a 59 hp difference.

Is the fuel economy meaningfully different between these two crossovers?

No, the difference is negligible; the Atlas achieves 22 MPG combined, while the Enclave slightly improves to 23 MPG combined, though both achieve 20 MPG in city driving.

What is the main reason to choose the Atlas despite the performance gap?

The Atlas is the superior financial choice, starting at $38,200 versus the Enclave’s $46,200, saving buyers $8,000 immediately.

Which vehicle offers more room for luggage behind the third row?

The 2026 Buick Enclave provides slightly more utility with 22.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity compared to the 2025 Atlas’s 20.6 cubic feet.

Do both vehicles require the same type of fuel?

Yes, both the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2026 Buick Enclave are specified to run efficiently on regular unleaded fuel.

Are these crossovers similarly sized in the driveway?

They are quite large, but the Enclave is noticeably longer at 207.6 inches versus the Atlas at 200.7 inches, making the Buick nearly 7 inches longer overall.