Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Atlas
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Overview
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Active 100A | SE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $38,465 (best) | $39,310 |
| Lowest listing price | $17,470 (best) | $28,999 |
| Median listing price | $46,486 | $28,999 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $64,269 | $28,999 (best) |
| For sale now | 35 (best) | 1 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG (best) | 23 MPG |
| City MPG | 20 MPG | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 27 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 17.9 gal | 18.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 300 hp (best) | 269 hp |
| Torque | 310 lb-ft (best) | 273 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 2.3 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 6 seats | 7 seats (best) |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 85.8 cu ft | 96.6 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 5,300 lbs (best) | 5,000 lbs |
| Payload | — | 1,102 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | — | 4,317 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 7.9 in (best) | 6.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 119.1 in (best) | 117.3 in |
| Length | 198.8 in | 200.7 in (best) |
| Width | 78.9 in (best) | 78.3 in |
| Height | 69.9 in | 70.4 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Ford ExplorerActive 100A | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (driver) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (passenger) | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side pole | — | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Rollover | — | 4 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 (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 | Ford Explorer | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Active 100A $38,465 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $39,310 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Active 100A $40,465 MSRP | SE $41,210 MSRP |
| 3 | Active 200A $40,400 MSRP | SE w/Technology $43,730 MSRP |
| 4 | Active 200A $42,400 MSRP | SE w/Technology $45,630 MSRP |
| 5 | ST-Line $44,200 MSRP | Peak Edition $48,060 MSRP |
| 6 | ST-Line $46,200 MSRP | SEL $49,620 MSRP |
| 7 | Tremor $49,200 MSRP | SEL Premium R-Line $54,630 MSRP |
| 8 | Tremor $56,460 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Platinum $50,660 MSRP | — |
| 10 | Platinum $52,660 MSRP | — |
| 11 | ST $53,660 MSRP | — |
| 12 | ST $55,660 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Ford Explorer35 for sale
See all
Used2022 Ford Explorer
Platinum
Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat•Ebony63,438 mi$34,249Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
New2027 Ford Explorer
ST
Avalanche Gray•Onyx w/Red Stitching5 mi$64,269MSRP $64,270Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST-Line
Carbonized Gray Metallic•Onyx22,025 mi$36,480Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Star White Metallic Tri Coat•Onyx29,816 mi$47,449Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2025 Ford Explorer
ST
Agate Black Metallic•Onyx19,148 mi$49,070Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Used2026 Ford Explorer
ST
Vapor Blue Metallic•Onyx1,945 mi$55,470Middleton Ford
Middleton, WI
Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Atlas FAQ
- Which is better: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2027 Ford Explorer 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: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2027 Ford Explorer starts lower at $38,465. Live Ford Explorer listings start at $17,470. Live Volkswagen Atlas listings start at $28,999.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,465).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (24).
- Which has better horsepower: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on horsepower in this comparison (400).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2027 Ford Explorer or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2027 Ford Explorer leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,600).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2027 Ford Explorer vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Volkswagen Atlas (5/5 NHTSA overall).