Acura RDX vs Volkswagen Atlas
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Overview
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | RDX | SE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | premium unleaded (recommended) | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $45,100 | $39,310 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $18,766 | $12,499 (best) |
| Median listing price | $36,000 (best) | $43,721 |
| Highest listing price | $56,900 (best) | $58,289 |
| For sale now | 69 | 269 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG (best) | 22 MPG |
| City MPG | 21 MPG (best) | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 27 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.1 gal | 18.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 272 hp (best) | 269 hp |
| Torque | 280 lb-ft (best) | 273 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2 L | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 7 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 58.9 cu ft | 96.6 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs (best) |
| Payload | — | 1,102 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 4,014 lbs (best) | 4,317 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 6.3 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in | 117.3 in (best) |
| Length | 187.4 in | 200.7 in (best) |
| Width | 74.8 in | 78.3 in (best) |
| Height | 65.7 in | 70.4 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Acura RDXRDX | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 2 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Acura RDX | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RDX $45,100 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $39,310 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Technology Package $47,700 MSRP | SE $41,210 MSRP |
| 3 | A-Spec Package $50,700 MSRP | SE w/Technology $43,730 MSRP |
| 4 | Advance Package $52,850 MSRP | SE w/Technology $45,630 MSRP |
| 5 | A-Spec Advance Package $54,850 MSRP | Peak Edition $48,060 MSRP |
| 6 | — | SEL $49,620 MSRP |
| 7 | — | SEL Premium R-Line $54,630 MSRP |
Live inventory
Acura RDX69 for sale
See all
Used2020 Acura RDX
Technology Package
Platinum White Pearl•Ebony143,181 mi$18,805Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2022 Acura RDX
A-Spec Package SH-AWD
Platinum White Pearl•Ebony62,332 mi$29,495Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2019 Acura RDX
w/Advance Pkg
71,858 mi$23,720Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Certified2021 Acura RDX
Technology Package
White51,171 mi$30,597Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Used2020 Acura RDX
Automatic
Majestic Black Pearl29,603 mi$29,500Velocity Autohaus
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Used2017 Acura RDX
w/Technology Pkg
Lunar Silver Metallic - SI•Graystone - GS60,032 mi$18,997Genesis of Cherry Hill
Marlton, NJ
Volkswagen Atlas269 for sale
See all
Used2019 Volkswagen Atlas
SEL
Pure White•Titan Black90,191 mi$19,604Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
Opal White Pearl•Beige12 mi$53,150Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SE w/Technology
Silver Mist Metallic•Titan Black I12 mi$43,014Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
Black101 mi$52,983Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
Opal White Pearl•Shetland Beige12 mi$53,150Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
Opal White Pearl•Beige15 mi$53,150Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Acura RDX vs Volkswagen Atlas FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Acura RDX or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Acura RDX vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Acura RDX or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas starts lower at $39,310. Live Acura RDX listings start at $18,766. Live Volkswagen Atlas listings start at $12,499.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Acura RDX or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (39,310).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Acura RDX or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Acura RDX leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (23).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Acura RDX or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Acura RDX leads on horsepower in this comparison (272).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Acura RDX or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on seats in this comparison (7).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Acura RDX or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Acura RDX vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Acura RDX (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Atlas (5/5 NHTSA overall).