2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2026 Nissan Murano

$38,200 · Crossover

$41,670 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas explodes onto the scene with a robust 269 hp from its new turbocharged engine, promising confident highway merging and an imposing 200.7-inch footprint that hints at spaciousness. In contrast, the refined 2026 Nissan Murano brings an aura of sophisticated efficiency, prioritizing maneuverability with its 192.9-inch length and standard All-Wheel Drive system, sipping fuel slightly better at 23 MPG combined. While the Atlas offers superior brute force (273 lb-ft of torque vs. the Murano's 260 lb-ft), the Murano counters with 32.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, dwarfing the Atlas's 20.6 cubic feet, despite costing $3,470 more at its base MSRP of $41,670. Enthusiasts might lean toward the Atlas's power edge, but the Murano’s tighter dimensions and slightly better efficiency present a compelling, polished alternative for city dwellers needing usable, versatile space.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Nissan Murano

The 2026 Nissan Murano wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 23 MPG and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Murano

Families will prefer the Murano's significantly larger 32.9 cu ft cargo capacity compared to the Atlas's 20.6 cu ft for hauling gear.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas delivers more exhilarating performance with 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas offers substantially more horsepower for $3,470 less than the starting MSRP of the Murano.

Choose the Volkswagen Atlas if...

You prioritize raw performance, as the Atlas boasts 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
Budget is a major concern, given the Atlas's $38,200 MSRP undercuts the Murano by $3,470.
You need the maximum possible length for an imposing road presence (200.7 inches long).

Choose the Nissan Murano if...

You require superior utility, as the Murano offers 32.9 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly 12 cubic feet more than the Atlas.
You value standard All-Wheel Drive for enhanced all-weather grip, a key feature over the Atlas's FWD base.
You seek slightly better long-distance fuel economy, with the Murano achieving 27 MPG highway vs. the Atlas's 26 MPG highway.

Key Dimensions

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

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Volkswagen	Nissan
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	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Volkswagen	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	269 hp @ 5500 rpm	241 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	273 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm	260 lb-ft @ 4400 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	Nissan
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

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

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Volkswagen	Nissan
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	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Volkswagen	Nissan
Infotainment Display	12.0 in	12.3 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	Volkswagen	Nissan
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
One-Touch Power Windows	—	2

Frontseats

Feature	Volkswagen	Nissan
Front Head Room	41.3 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	61.5 in.	60.8 in.
Front Hip Room	58.4 in.	56.9 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	—
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

Rearseats

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

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Volkswagen	Nissan
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 Cover Type	—	Full
Wheel Diameter	—	20 in.

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Volkswagen	Nissan
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 Nissan Murano.

What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 Atlas and the 2026 Murano?

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is significantly more potent, putting out 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the 2026 Nissan Murano trails with 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

How much more cargo space does the Murano offer compared to the Atlas?

The 2026 Nissan Murano offers a substantial advantage in hauling capacity, boasting 32.9 cubic feet of cargo room compared to the 2025 Atlas's 20.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

Is the higher price of the Murano justified by better fuel economy?

The Murano does achieve marginally better fuel efficiency at 23 MPG combined versus the Atlas's 22 MPG combined, but this small gain may not offset the $3,470 price difference for many buyers.

Which vehicle offers better standard driving dynamics for slippery roads?

The 2026 Nissan Murano includes All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment, giving it a notable advantage in adverse conditions over the front-wheel-drive biased 2025 Volkswagen Atlas.

Are the transmission systems significantly different between these two crossovers?

Yes, the Murano utilizes a slightly more modern 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, whereas the Atlas employs an 8-speed unit to manage its output.

How does the physical size of the Atlas compare to the Murano?

The Volkswagen Atlas is considerably larger overall, measuring 200.7 inches long and 70.4 inches high, making it nearly 8 inches longer than the 192.9-inch Nissan Murano.