2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2026 Mazda CX-90

$38,200 · Crossover

$38,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between a massive three-row crossover like the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and a more premium contender like the 2026 Mazda CX-90 presents a real dilemma: raw utility versus efficiency and refinement. If cavernous space is your priority, the Atlas delivers, boasting a significantly larger 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the CX-90’s 14.9 cubic feet, even behind the third row. However, the CX-90 brings the performance punch, offering superior torque at 332 lb-ft versus the Atlas’s 273 lb-ft, despite a slightly higher starting MSRP of $38,800 versus the Atlas’s $38,200. Furthermore, the Mazda pulls ahead in fuel economy, achieving 25 MPG combined, easily besting the Atlas’s 22 MPG combined. While the Atlas is longer at 200.7 inches, the CX-90 includes standard AWD, which often enhances daily driving confidence.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Mazda CX-90

The Mazda CX-90 wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, netting 25 MPG combined versus the Atlas’s 22 MPG combined.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas is the choice for families needing maximum utility, offering a noticeable advantage with 20.6 cubic feet of cargo room compared to the CX-90's 14.9 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Mazda CX-90

Enthusiasts will prefer the CX-90 because it produces significantly more torque at 332 lb-ft compared to the Atlas’s 273 lb-ft.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas offers better utility for a lower initial outlay, starting at $38,200 compared to the CX-90's $38,800.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

You need the absolute maximum utility, as the Atlas provides 20.6 cu ft of cargo space.
Staying under the $39,000 MSRP mark is critical, with the Atlas priced at $38,200.
You prefer a slightly taller stance, as the Atlas sits at 70.4 inches high versus the CX-90's 68.3 inches.

Choose the Mazda CX-90 if...

Superior efficiency matters, given the CX-90 achieves 28 Highway MPG compared to the Atlas's 26 Highway MPG.
You prioritize quick acceleration, benefiting from the CX-90’s robust 332 lb-ft of torque.
All-Wheel Drive is a requirement for your driving conditions, which the CX-90 includes standard.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Volkswagen Atlas	Mazda CX-90
Length	200.7"	200.8"
Width	78.3"	78.5"
Height	70.4"	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	✓	✓
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	—	✓
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)	22 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	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

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	41.3 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	40.4 in.	39.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.6 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	60.5 in.	58.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.6 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 and 2026 Mazda CX-90.

Which vehicle is better for hauling cargo on road trips?

If absolute maximum capacity is needed, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is the clear winner, offering 20.6 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which is over 5 cubic feet more than the 2026 Mazda CX-90’s 14.9 cubic feet.

Is the Mazda CX-90 significantly faster than the VW Atlas?

Yes, the CX-90 has a notable performance edge, generating 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, easily outperforming the Atlas’s 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque.

How much more do I pay for the better fuel economy of the CX-90?

The CX-90 costs $600 more upfront ($38,800 vs $38,200) but offsets this with better fuel efficiency, achieving 25 MPG combined versus the Atlas’s 22 MPG combined.

Does the drive type make a difference between these two crossovers?

It does; the 2026 Mazda CX-90 comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, offering better traction management, while the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is listed with standard Front Wheel Drive.

Which crossover is physically larger?

While very similar in overall length (200.7 inches for Atlas vs 200.8 inches for CX-90), the Atlas is substantially taller at 70.4 inches, leading to its greater cargo volume.