Honda Pilot vs Volkswagen Atlas
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Atlas
Overview
| Spec | Honda PilotSport 2WD | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Sport 2WD | SE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front 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 | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Honda PilotSport 2WD | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $42,195 | $39,310 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $39,540 (best) | — |
| Median listing price | $48,917 (best) | — |
| Highest listing price | $55,867 (best) | — |
| For sale now | 12 (best) | 0 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Honda PilotSport 2WD | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 22 MPG | 23 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 19 MPG | 20 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 27 MPG | 27 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 19 gal (best) | 18.6 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Honda PilotSport 2WD | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 285 hp (best) | 269 hp |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 3.5 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | V6 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Honda PilotSport 2WD | Volkswagen AtlasSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 8 seats (best) | 7 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | — | 96.6 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 3,500 lbs | 5,000 lbs (best) |
| Payload | — | 1,102 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 4,336 lbs | 4,317 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | — | 6.3 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 114 in | 117.3 in (best) |
| Length | 200.1 in | 200.7 in (best) |
| Width | 79 in (best) | 78.3 in |
| Height | 71 in (best) | 70.4 in |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Honda PilotSport 2WD | 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) | 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 | Honda Pilot | Volkswagen Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sport 2WD $42,195 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $39,310 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Sport AWD $44,295 MSRP | SE $41,210 MSRP |
| 3 | EX-L $44,495 MSRP | SE w/Technology $43,730 MSRP |
| 4 | EX-L $46,595 MSRP | SE w/Technology $45,630 MSRP |
| 5 | TrailSport AWD $50,395 MSRP | Peak Edition $48,060 MSRP |
| 6 | Touring $51,095 MSRP | SEL $49,620 MSRP |
| 7 | Touring S $52,295 MSRP | SEL Premium R-Line $54,630 MSRP |
| 8 | Elite $53,495 MSRP | — |
| 9 | Black Edition AWD $54,995 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Honda Pilot12 for sale
See all- New
2026 Honda Pilot
TrailSport
Ash Green Metallic4 mi$52,767Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
- New
2026 Honda Pilot
EX-L
Smoke Blue Pearl•Gray4 mi$47,207Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
New2026 Honda Pilot
Elite
Platinum White Pearl•Brown4 mi$55,867Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
New2026 Honda Pilot
EX-L
Platinum White Pearl•Gray5 mi$48,967Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
New2026 Honda Pilot
Touring Blackout
Platinum White Pearl•Gray5 mi$54,567Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
New2026 Honda Pilot
Touring
Platinum White Pearl•Brown5 mi$54,507Rancho Santa Margarita Honda
Santa Margarita, CA
Honda Pilot vs Volkswagen Atlas FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Honda Pilot 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 Honda Pilot or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas starts lower at $39,310. Live Honda Pilot listings start at $39,540.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (39,310).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (23).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Honda Pilot leads on horsepower in this comparison (285).
- Which has better seats: 2026 Honda Pilot or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- The 2026 Honda Pilot leads on seats in this comparison (8).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Honda Pilot (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Atlas (5/5 NHTSA overall).