Volkswagen Atlas vs. The World - 6 Alternatives To VW's Three-Row SUV

The mid-size SUV market is one of the toughest around. Most global automakers have a product, if not multiple, that fits within and presents a real case as to why they should be the recipient of your hard-earned money. Oddly enough, the Europeans mostly avoid this segment, producing highly luxurious versions that double the cost of those from other makes or simply not participating in the three-row market. Only Volkswagen, with its Atlas SUV, presents a challenge to the rest of the globe. It provides similar performance and features to others, but in a way that’s purely VW. How does it really stack up to its competitors, though? Let’s find out.

Volkswagen Atlas

Tall-riding, wagon-esque bodies with “offroad” cladding and enough room to fit five comfortably are what the general public has come to love and desire, so it’s only common sense that they’ve become the main focus of many. VW had a big SUV early on with the Touareg. It debuted alongside the Cayenne and Q7, but dwindling sales spurred the development of its replacement, the Atlas. Known as the Teramont in other markets, the Atlas was VW’s answer for American consumers, and it’s been largely successful in its efforts.

Volkswagen began with the modular MQB platform and stretched it to its largest. While the middle floor section was all new, the front and rear were highly related to other MQB vehicles like the Passat and Arteon, allowing VW to simplify engineering costs and keep production simple. That’s also allowed VW to keep the now older platform relevant. It’s now onto its second facelift and has received the newest EA888 four-cylinder engine, like that found in the Mk8 Golf R. In many respects, it’s the best the Atlas has ever been and shows just how vital the shared engineering was for overall success.

Moving back from the engine, the Atlas is the largest SUV ever offered by VW in the States. The interior is incredibly roomy, with seating for seven via three seats in the second row and two in the third. Interior touch points are primarily plastic, though the feel has improved in each update the Atlas has received. Higher-end comforts like leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and an uprated Beats audio system are all optional unless it’s a post-2024 model. Those received Climatronic heated/ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and the IQ.DRIVE driver assistance package as standard. VW even offers massaging front seats as an option!

Standing outside the Atlas, its size and shape are distinctly built for the American consumer. Front and rear fascias have changed a few times, first in 2021 and again in 2024, but the overall shape has remained the same. Subjective differences aside, the newer models feature more effective lighting than the earlier ones. The tall beltline raises the hood but leaves a sizeable windshield and side windows for solid visibility. Any source of muscularity comes from the enormous wheel arches, which look even better when stuffed with smaller wheels and chunky all-terrain tires. 

If all of that sounds familiar, no one can blame you. The mid-size SUV segment is up there for the most popular, and challengers from all over the globe are putting up stiff competition. The Altas brings a blend of reliability, good style, impeccable useability, a sound basis for overlanding, and some great deals if you’re willing to buy used. But what else is there for the money? Let’s take a look at some of the Atlas’ strongest competitors.

American Competitors

The Americans are the originators of the SUV, so it’s only logical that they’d have a few strong competitors. The two below are arguably the US’s best options, and for good reason. Each bring a good blend of strong performance, quality materials, and a spacious interior. Mechanical and electrical reliability are on the suspect side, relatively speaking, but both are better than anything Stellantis is producing these days. 

Chevy Traverse

It wasn’t too long ago that the Chevy Traverse was far from a quality option for your family. It was oddly portly-looking with an outdated 3.6L V6 and an interior that made even the most basic European car look luxurious by comparison. But the last few years have shown that time is all it takes for some improvement, as the third generation, appearing in 2024, is as competitive as it’s ever been. 

The big and boxy crossover is now much more closely styled to its larger and beloved stable mates, the Tahoe and Suburban, making it more of a looker. Chevrolet’s current styling cues feature a thin DRL placed above a separate main and high beam lower down on the bumper with a relatively thin set of taillights that split into a Y shape as they move forward on the body. It looks pretty sinister, especially when equipped with the Z71 or RS package. Between all that external aggression sits the roomiest interior of any model in this article. Reviewers have found that the rear seats can genuinely fit adults comfortably, something many can’t do while having more cubic feet of space than all but the Grand Highlander. 

For a smidge over $40,000, the base LT trim offers the basis for all Traverse models. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.5L inline-four-cylinder paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. Power is best in class (from a four-cylinder) with 328hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, but its towing capacity with a braked trailer is identical to everyone else, at 5000lbs. The power comes at a price, though, as FWD models offer just 23mpg combined, and it’s only 21mpg with AWD. That’s toward the bottom of the mid-size class but not the worst.

 The interior of the big mid-size is perfectly adequate. Infotainment is handled on an enormous 17.7” screen separate from the 11” instrument cluster screen. Google software powers the big screen, but owners can use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto as standard. Cloth is the standard upholstery on the base LT, but faux leather is available if preferred. Higher trims get genuine leather and contrasting stitching. As mentioned, the Traverse’s interior space is its highlight, boasting more than all others. If that’s what you’re after, then this is the vehicle for you. 

The Traverse also offers an off-road trim, the Z71. Meant to handle loose surfaces, it has AWD as standard, along with chunky all-terrain tires mounted to Z71-specific 18-inch wheels. Underneath the suspension is the otherwise optional Ride and Handling package, while the underbody sees protection from aluminum skidplates. Other standard features include the Towing package, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Ford Explorer

It’s almost impossible to talk about the American SUV landscape without mentioning the Ford Explorer. The hallowed name has been the transport of millions of families in the ‘States, evolving over the decades into the family-hauling, crime-busting we know today. In many respects, it was the origin of the mid-size segment, but its popularity has taken a hit as competition is as strong as ever. 

The Explorer is refreshed for 2025 with a reworked exterior, a minimized trim list, and a host of interior improvements. To update the exterior, a new front bumper, and headlights are paired with a slightly reworked taillight, but the trim line determines the grille inlay and lower edge trim. As with other fast Fords, the ST trim is the sportiest and most expensive, sporting unique suspension tuning, large brakes, and 400hp and 415lb-ft from the 3.0L turbocharged EcoBoost V6. At the other end, the Active trim stickers for $15000 less than the ST but still features everything you’d need, like heated front seats, LED exterior lighting, a tow package, seating for seven, and a 2.3L turbocharged EcoBoost inline-four pumping out 300hp and 310lb-ft.

All-wheel-drive is an optional extra on all trims. Unique to the Explorer, the standard drivetrain sends its power to the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic. The extra drive is a $2000 option for most trims, but that’s all you’d need. If luxury is what you’re after, the Platinum trim is the way to go. It’s available with either engine and features the best interior appointments, including standard and optional leather upholstery, multi-contour front seats, heated rear seats, a Bang & Olufson stereo, and adaptive headlights.

Despite both engines having more power than the Atlas, the tow rating is identical at 5000 lbs. Fuel mileage is best with the smaller engine despite the 4500+lb curb weight. Ford claims 27mpg on the highway and 23 combined, which is about on par for the class, if not in the better half. Arguably, its most important feature in class, the third-row seating, lacks compared to other competitors, including the Atlas. But the ST trim offers something none of the others on this list do: genuine performance. The base four-cylinder is enough to scoot the SUV to 60mph in 6 seconds, and the V6 found in the upper trims cuts nearly a full second off from that time. This may be the choice if you want to keep your tires on the tarmac.

Asian Competitors 

While American and European companies have created the vehicle segments we know today, many of the Asian manufacturers have become the ones to beat. That sentiment rings true today, as the trio of Asian three-row midsize SUVs below are about as good as the segment gets.

Kia Telluride

I come from a generation that remembers when a Kia was good for nothing but an eye roll. But for seemingly the last decade, the Korean automaker has wholly revamped itself into what we see today as a genuine competitor and, in some cases, a class leader. Years of poaching the best talent from automakers across the globe have transformed them into something worth considering, and their mid-size SUV, the Telluride, is one of the latest examples of that.

Take a peek at Car & Driver’s thorough mid-size SUV rankings, and you’ll see the Telluride standing atop the list with a perfect score. Not long ago, the thought of that would make many laugh, but in the last six years, the Telluride has been offered, and none have delivered such a complete package. According to the experts, it hits its marks everywhere, from a borderline luxurious interior to solid exterior styling, a solid driving feel, and plenty of trims and options to tailor an example to owners’ taste. Even the back seat has space to seat adults comfortably. But what do you get for the money?

The Telluride is built around a stretched Sorrento chassis and fitted with a naturally aspirated 3.8L V6. Its 291hp and 262lb-ft of torque are about average for the class, so I wouldn’t expect to win any races. Fuel mileage is strictly OK for the class, with just 24mpg estimated on the highway for those with AWD, but that’s to be expected without a turbocharger. Sticking with FWD sees that figure jump to 26mpg est and saves about $2000 on the sticker price. The V6 is backed up by an eight-speed automatic transmission regardless of how many wheels are driven.

What Kia offers best is options. There are ten trim lines, each with a slightly different MSRP and collection of features. The higher trims are based on one of two lower ones with added bits like X-Line or X-Pro packages, which bestow the Telluride with luxury-like appointments and black badging or chunky all-terrain tires and off-road features, respectively. Smack in the middle of them is the EX X-Line, and for about $46,000, you get what you pay for. It includes black badging and trim, heated and ventilated 8-way power front seats, leather upholstery with available Nappa leather, self-leveling rear air suspension, increased ground clearance, and a heated steering wheel. Grab a higher trim line, and there are heated and ventilated second-row seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a 110-volt power converter outlet. 

It’s a truly dizzying array of options and trims, but stick with it, and you’ll be able to build yourself the mid-size SUV that fits your family best without any compromise. 

Mazda CX-90

Mazda has always brought a different approach to its vehicles, choosing a few things that separate its products from the rest of the segment. The current CX-90 has its share of interesting choices, and it should, considering the need to stand out in the mid-size segment. But it does so with a shot at luxury that rises above others. Not to mention, with an inline six and some pure-EV range, it has arguably the most interesting powertrain of the bunch. Pricing can get up there with the best of them, too, but plenty of more affordable trims offer lots of value.

The CX90 presents a strong argument on paper. All models have a 3.3L turbocharged straight-six and a mild hybrid system that makes strong power regardless of trim. The Turbo trims make 280hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque, but the Turbo S models see that jump to 340hp and 369 ft-lbs, trailing behind only the Ford Explorer ST. The eight-speed automatic makes things even sportier, sending all that torque and horsepower into forward motion through a rear-biased AWD system. Unfortunately, the gearbox has been a leading source of contention for many drivers. Low-speed clunks and hesitations make for an occasionally unsettling ride, but things like that aren’t uncommon for vehicles fresh on the market. Expect that to change moving forward.

Six trim lines make up the complete offering, with the base model being somewhat of an outlier. It’s the only one not to use the 12.3” infotainment screen, leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, or the glass moon roof. Stepping up one trim level from the Select to the Preferred adds all that, opening up more paint and upholstery options. There’s also a Sport trim with larger 21” wheels and black accents. Nappa leather, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system are reserved for the Turbo S models. But the 2nd-row captain’s chairs with a pass-through to the rears are available on most. Only the Turbo S Premium Plus gets a center console between the 2nd-row captain’s chairs.

If that all sounds quite luxurious, you’re right. Many who’ve reviewed the CX-90 have considered it a shot at the XC90 in the luxury mid-size segment. I’ve not sat in one, but everything I’ve seen backs that up, as Mazda has really gone for broke, at least with their higher trims. It’s not difficult to push the top-spec model into the mid-$60,000 range, something not often achievable with a Mazda product. But reviews have praised it for all it offers as a package, and that’s as a very nicely appointed sporty mid-size SUV.

Toyota Grand Highlander

Toyota’s Highlander has been Japan’s best mid-size contender for almost three decades. Families across the country have benefitted from the class-leading reliability and general Toyota toughness, transporting themselves anywhere they like. But times change, and the segment has grown, leaving the Highlander somewhat undersized. Recognizing that Toyota developed the Grand Highlander, a scaled-up version of its long-offered mid-size family machine. Now, with some extra room, the Grand Highlander makes its case for the top spot in the segment.

Building on an already solid product, the Grand Highlander stretches the less-grand model by four inches and widens it slightly over two inches. Cargo volume is just a shade behind the Traverse with all the seats up, but it squeaks by it once it folds down. The rest of the interior falls somewhere in the middle of the pack, with nicer materials on the higher trims but cloth and hard plastics at the bottom. Infotainment isn’t lacking, which runs on a 12.3” screen on all trims. Similarly, the gauge cluster is a configurable 7.7” unit. The amenities you may want, like a power liftgate, heated front seats, and a smattering of USB outlets, require the XLE trim, costing just under $3000 more than the base LE. At the top, the Platinum offers goodies like a panoramic roof, heated leather front and second row, JBL audio, and a 10” HUD. 

Non-hybrid Grand Highlanders feature a 2.4L turbocharged inline-four good for 265hp and 310lb-ft of torque. That’s then mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and put to the ground through the front wheels or optional AWD system. It’s not the slowest, but look elsewhere for a sporty demeanor. As with previous Highlanders, this one delivers adequate power and economy. FWD models score an estimated 28mpg on the highway, while AWD drops that figure to 26mpg. Highway figures drop from 21mpg to 20mpg, respectively. 

Standard safety features are great, too. Lane-departure warnings with lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection are a part of every Grand Highlander sold to the public in the United States. It’s all a part of Toyota’s Safety Sense 3.0 driver assistance, its latest iteration. All of these features are available on the other models in this article, but some have them as optional extras, and when it comes to safety, it’s nice to know it’s included, no matter how much you have to spend. 

European Competitor

Volkswagen Atlas

It’s not often a model can be competition for itself, but a quick peek at the second-hand market shows there are some ridiculous deals if you don’t need the latest and greatest.

There’s a lot to like about the Atlas. Since its introduction almost a decade ago, VW has continued to refine the package, adding features and updating the looks to keep it relevant in a quickly evolving automotive landscape. Sure, the 2025 model is the newest at the time of writing and features the latest Evo4 engine, a fresh exterior update, and some new standard features, but much of it is what you could’ve had on a high-spec trim model from just a few years ago. 

Market saturation is excellent for a buyer as it really lets you either find the perfect spec you’re after or gives you more substantial bargaining power. Head to your favorite online auto sales website, and you’ll find hundreds of lightly used Atlas’ as new as 2023, ready to transact for far less than what they stickered for not long ago. Miles are typically what brings a vehicle’s value down, but at the maximum $30,000 price point I set in my research, you can find models in all trims with as little as 25,000 miles on them. I put the cap at 60,000 miles and had no issue finding any model year in any trim. The two upper trims, the SEL Premium and SEL R-Line, generally featured higher mileage, but not always by much over the SE and SEL. For what it’s worth, that $30,000 price point is twenty-two thousand dollars less than the MSRP for the top-spec SEL Premium in 2022 and twenty-five thousand less than the current model. 

So what do you get for less money?

The facelifted (2021) Atlas is well within range, with even some 2023 models appearing. Original Atlas models can be found but will be priced in the lower twenties, even if mileage is still reasonably low. In both body styles, the familiar EA888 gen3 2.0L turbocharged inline-four engine was featured alongside the EA390 3.6L VR6, giving the Atlas a pair of well-developed and widespread engines that perfectly serve their purpose in the big SUV. They don’t turn the Atlas into anything remotely sporty, but fuel mileage is good, and low-down torque is plentiful. An eight-speed automatic puts power and torque down from the equipped engine through the front wheels unless optioned with all-wheel-drive, which many are. Fuel economy isn’t near the best in class, but it’s not the worst.

With mileage also comes the need for maintenance. The standard warranty on the facelifted Atlas was 4 years/50,000mi, so many are out there with time remaining. That buys you time to get a check over the car and a dealer to make any repairs before it runs out. Any repair it may need is circumstantial, but the Atlas is generally a trouble-free vehicle. The shared drivetrain shines here as both drivelines feature minimal significant issues and shouldn’t require much more than standard servicing. Then, once out of warranty, you can tinker with the engine and suspension if that’s your thing. 

The EA888 gen3 in the Atlas is related to the engine in the Mk7 GTI, so many of the same performance tuning benefits apply here. Something simple, like a flash tune, is enough to push power figures up to modern rivals and beyond the current Atlas. More power is possible, but there’s more to modifying the Atlas than the engine. Many have found that a lift kit and some all-terrain tires are just what the VW needs to make it a pretty competent trail-capable camping machine. All of that can be done for less than the cost of a new base model Atlas.

How Does The Volkswagen Atlas Stack Up vs The Competition

Pound for pound, the current Atlas doesn’t quite hit the heights its heaviest competitors do. Its Asian competition features nicer interior styling and much better optional upholstery. The Americans are about on par there with the VW, but both offer quite a bit more performance. The Mazda offers power and luxury, but it's somewhat at the far end of the range. 

It’s not often the least expensive model is the best option, but the lightly used Atlas makes a lot of sense. None of its competitors can be found in the same model range with as few miles for the money. Interior quality is still reminiscent of a high-trim Golf, and power is still on the lower side, but for around 40% off for a single lease’s worth of mileage and time left of the original warranty should make up for a lot in an economy that seems as unstable as it has since the Great Financial Crisis. Skipping the latest and greatest here helps you keep your money where it should be: in your pocket. 

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Written by :

Christian Schaefer

Car and motorsports-obsessed writer/editor for FCP Euro's DIY Blog. Constantly dreaming of competing behind the wheel or searching for another project. Owner of a turbo Subaru Forester and a ratty Porsche 914, both of which are running.