2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade

$38,200 · Crossover

$39,435 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The battle between the refreshed 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and the upcoming 2026 Hyundai Palisade pits efficient utility against brute strength. The Atlas excites with its newly boosted turbocharged 269 hp engine and slightly better fuel economy, achieving 22 MPG combined on regular unleaded fuel. Its sheer presence is undeniable, measuring an imposing 200.7 inches long, offering superior overall volume. Conversely, the Palisade counters with a more potent 287 hp engine, although its slightly lower 21 MPG combined rating suggests higher thirst. While both massive crossovers feature FWD and 8-speed automatics, the Atlas boasts a larger footprint for practicality, yielding 20.6 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Palisade’s 19.1 cu ft. The Atlas starts marginally cheaper at $38,200 versus the Palisade's $39,435, making the German contender a compelling, efficient giant for families needing maximum utility.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2025 Atlas offers superior fuel economy at 22 MPG combined, minimizing stops at the pump during daily drives.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas wins for families due to its larger physical dimensions, offering 20.6 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Palisade's 19.1 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The 2026 Palisade appeals more to the enthusiast driver with its higher 287 hp engine output compared to the Atlas's 269 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas secures the value victory by offering more power and significantly more cargo space for a lower starting MSRP of $38,200.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

You prioritize efficiency, as the Atlas achieves 26 MPG highway versus the Palisade's 25 MPG.
Maximum storage is essential, evidenced by the Atlas's leading 20.6 cu ft of cargo volume.
You want the slightly lower entry price point, starting at $38,200 versus $39,435.

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

You desire peak power, leveraging the Palisade's 287 hp engine advantage.
You prefer a slightly smaller vehicle footprint, as the Palisade is nearly 1.5 inches shorter in length.
You want the latest model year, as the Palisade is presented as a 2026 model against the 2025 Atlas.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Atlas	Hyundai Palisade
Length	200.7"	199.2"
Width	78.3"	78.0"
Height	70.4"	69.5"
Wheelbase	117.3"	116.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	269 hp @ 5500 rpm	287 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 5000 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	Hyundai
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/26 MPG	19/25 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	22 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	372.0/483.6 mi.	361.0/475.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.6 gal.	19.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
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 Parking Sensors	—	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	12.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Front Head Room	41.3 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	61.4 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	58.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Driver Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Passenger Seat Ventilation	✓	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	40.4 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.6 in.	43.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.5 in.	61.0 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.6 in.	56.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volkswagen	Hyundai
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R18	235/65R
Spare Tire Type	—	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	—	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.

Which vehicle offers more passenger or cargo space between the Atlas and Palisade?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas provides better overall utility, boasting 20.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row. In comparison, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade offers slightly less usable space at 19.1 cubic feet in the same configuration.

Is there a significant difference in engine performance between the two large crossovers?

Yes, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is noticeably stronger on paper, producing 287 horsepower. The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas comes slightly behind with 269 horsepower, though it offers higher torque at 273 lb-ft.

How do the fuel economy ratings compare for these FWD crossovers?

The 2025 Atlas is the more economical choice for commuting, achieving 22 MPG combined and up to 26 MPG highway. The 2026 Palisade trails marginally with a combined rating of 21 MPG.

What is the price difference between the base models of the Atlas and the Palisade?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas holds a slight MSRP advantage, starting at $38,200. The 2026 Hyundai Palisade is positioned slightly higher on the pricing ladder, beginning at $39,435.

Do both SUVs come standard with the same type of transmission?

Both the 2025 Atlas and the 2026 Palisade utilize an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. This suggests a similar level of control and smoothness in power delivery for both front-wheel-drive equipped models.

Are there any major physical size discrepancies between the two vehicles?

The 2025 Atlas is visibly larger, measuring 200.7 inches in length compared to the Palisade's 199.2 inches. The Atlas is also slightly taller at 70.4 inches versus the Palisade's 69.5 inches.