Volkswagen Atlas Vs. Honda Pilot? Comparing Two Family-Friendly SUVs
Honda Pilot vs. Volkswagen Atlas at a Glance
- The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has more cargo space than the 2025 Honda Pilot, whether with seating folded or upright.
- The VW Atlas is powered by a turbocharged engine with 273 pound-feet of torque.
- The Honda Pilot has a V-6 with 262 pound-feet of torque.
- The Atlas has a higher standard towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.1
- The Pilot can only tow 3,500 pounds2 in its base FWD configuration.
A Honda Pilot vs. Volkswagen Atlas Showdown
How do you compare the Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot? You start by looking at the key specs that matter most to drivers and families seeking a three-row SUV. With all the points tallied, the Atlas is the clear winner, boasting more standard towing capacity, cargo space, style, and substance than the other.
See our detailed Honda Pilot vs. Volkswagen Atlas review below to find out why the VW model comes out on top in many essential categories.
Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Specs & Performance
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine powers the 2025 VW Atlas SUV, along with some other new Volkswagen vehicles. This high-powered yet efficient engine develops 269 horsepower and sends 273 pound-feet of torque to the ground via an eight-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic technology and either standard front-wheel drive or available 4MOTION all-wheel drive. The 2025 VW Atlas SUV can tow up to 5,000 pounds1 with FWD or AWD. You can test-drive the robust new Atlas SUV at Joe Pecheles Volkswagen.
On the other side of this face-off, we have the Honda Pilot, powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 making 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed transmission is paired with front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. With the standard FWD configuration, this Honda SUV can only manage to pull 3,500 pounds.2 Add the optional AWD, and its towing capacity measures up to the Atlas at 5,000 pounds.2
A further comparison of 2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2025 Honda Pilot specs shows that the VW model is longer and more versatile inside, thanks to its greater cargo capacity. The Atlas measures 200.7 inches long and holds up to 96.6 cubic feet of cargo with the rear rows not in use. The Pilot is 199.9 inches long and only accommodates 87 cubic feet of gear in its smaller cargo hold.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2025 Honda Pilot: Quick Comparison
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| 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SE FWD | 2025 Honda Pilot Sport 2WD | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L I-4 turbo | 3.5L V-6 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Horsepower | 269 | 285 |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft | 262 lb-ft |
| Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs1 | 3,500 lbs2 |
| Length | 200.7 in | 199.9 in |
| Width | 78.3 in | 78.5 in |
| Height | 70.4 in | 71.0 in |
| Ground Clearance | 6.3 in | 7.3 in |
| Curb Weight | 4,317 lbs | 4,313 lbs |
| Seating Capacity | 7 | 8 |
| Passenger Volume | 153.7 cu ft | 158.4 cu ft |
| Cargo Space (Behind 1st / 2nd / 3rd Row) | 96.6 / 55.5 / 20.6 cu ft | 87 / 48.5 / 18.6 cu ft |
Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Safety & Reliability
The IQ.DRIVE suite of advanced driver-assistance systems is standard on every new 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SUV and includes:
- Front Assist
- Rear Traffic Alert
- Side Assist: Lane Change System
- Exit Warning System
- Light Assist: High Beam Control
- Travel Assist
- Lane Assist
- Emergency Assist
Many new and used Volkswagen vehicles for sale at our VW dealership come pre-loaded with the IQ.DRIVE package for safer on-road journeys.
The Honda Sensing suite standard on the 2025 Pilot comes with:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System
- Road Departure Mitigation System
- Blind Spot Information with Cross Traffic Monitor
- Multi-Angle Rearview Camera
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
You can learn about the safety and reliability ratings of the Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot online or with our team when you visit for a test drive.
Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Interior & Features
Step inside the 2025 VW Atlas and you'll have 153.7 cubic feet of passenger space for up to seven occupants to spread out and enjoy the ride. With more cargo space than the Honda Pilot, the Atlas is designed around busy and active families that need to load up with passengers or supplies at a moment's notice.
The Honda Pilot has a bit more passenger volume, at 158.4 cubic feet, but it also comes standard with eight seats instead of seven, meaning a full crew of occupants might feel more cramped inside.
Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Trims
The 2025 Honda Pilot is available in six trim levels, including the:
- Pilot Sport
- Pilot EX-L
- Pilot TrailSport
- Pilot Touring
- Pilot Elite
- Pilot Black Edition
Opting for the Volkswagen Atlas presents you with five editions to select from:
- Atlas SE
- Atlas SE with Technology
- Atlas Peak Edition
- Atlas SEL
- Atlas SEL Premium R-Line
Let's compare the standard features in the base models. You'll get a 7-inch touchscreen and heated front seats in the 2025 Honda Pilot Sport. The 2025 VW Atlas SE comes with a much larger 12-inch center touchscreen display and front seats that are both heated and ventilated. You can find pre-owned Volkswagen SUVs that are similarly equipped to the stellar 2025 Atlas here at Joe Pecheles Volkswagen.
What Reddit Users Say About the Volkswagen Atlas and the Honda Pilot
People search for Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Reddit reviews to hear from real car shoppers why they chose one of these models over the other. You can find plenty of insightful SUV shopping tips comparing the Honda Pilot vs. VW Atlas, like these:
Dugaldthomson
The ability to easily access the third row with three car seats installed in the middle row. That was the definitive feature I didn't see on any other in-class SUVs.
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Does the Volkswagen Atlas offer more interior space than the Honda Pilot?
The Volkswagen Atlas offers more cargo space than the Honda Pilot, whether you have all seats upright or two of the three rows folded. The Atlas gives you up to 96.6 cubic feet of interior space behind the first row for your cargo-carrying needs. The Pilot only has up to 87 cubic feet of interior space behind its first row. The Pilot has slightly more passenger volume.
Which SUV is better suited for growing families: the Atlas or Pilot?
The Volkswagen Atlas SUV is likely better suited for most growing families, as it offers an excellent balance of passenger volume and cargo space. The Atlas nearly equals the Pilot in passenger room but has substantially more cargo capacity than its Honda rival. You'll get up to 20.6 cubic feet for standard cargo space in the Atlas and only 18.6 cubic feet in the Pilot.
What makes the Volkswagen Atlas stand out in the midsize SUV segment?
The Volkswagen Atlas stands out from the rest of the entries in the midsize SUV segment because of its ample cargo space throughout the cabin and innovative IQ.DRIVE technology, as well as its standard 12-inch center touchscreen display and 5,000-pound towing capacity (when properly equipped). Learn about these benefits and more at our Volkswagen dealer today.
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1Maximum tow rating when equipped with 2.0L turbo engine and factory-installed towing hitch. Vehicle load, other accessories, and options may reduce maximum towing capacity. See vehicle Owner’s Manual for details.
2Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.