Lexus NX250 vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Overview
| Spec | Lexus NX250250 | Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportSE |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | 250 | SE |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2025 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Lexus NX250250 | Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportSE |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $40,965 | $38,300 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | — | $17,681 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $38,999 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $56,450 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 89 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Lexus NX250250 | Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportSE |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 23 MPG |
| City MPG | 26 MPG (best) | 20 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14.5 gal | 18.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Lexus NX250250 | Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportSE |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 203 hp | 269 hp (best) |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 273 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.5 L (best) | 2 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Lexus NX250250 | Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportSE |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 46.9 cu ft | 77.6 cu ft (best) |
| Towing capacity | 2,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs (best) |
| Payload | 895 lbs | 1,102 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,660 lbs (best) | 4,165 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in (best) | 6.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in | 117.3 in (best) |
| Length | 183.5 in | 195.6 in (best) |
| Width | 73.4 in | 78.3 in (best) |
| Height | 66.1 in | 68.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Lexus NX250250 | Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportSE |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 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 | Lexus NX250 | Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 $40,965 MSRP(Currently comparing) | SE $38,300 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | 250 $42,565 MSRP | SE $40,200 MSRP |
| 3 | 250 Premium $42,890 MSRP | SE w/Technology $42,720 MSRP |
| 4 | 250 Premium $44,490 MSRP | SE w/Technology $44,620 MSRP |
| 5 | — | SEL $48,610 MSRP |
| 6 | — | SEL R-Line Black $50,560 MSRP |
| 7 | — | SEL Premium R-Line $53,620 MSRP |
Live inventory
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport89 for sale
See all
Used2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2.0T SEL
Pure White•Titan Black59,402 mi$23,987Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2.0T SEL R-Line Black
Opal White Pearl•Gray15 mi$48,880Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2.0T SEL R-Line Black
Opal White Pearl•Black12 mi$49,298Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Certified2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2.0T SE w/Technology
Platinum Gray Metallic•Titan Black40,575 mi$30,746Greensboro Auto Center
Greensboro, NC
Certified2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
3.6L V6 SEL R-Line
Pure White•Titan Black113,003 mi$18,766Stokes Hodges Ford Graniteville
Graniteville, SC
New2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2.0T SEL Premium R-Line
AVOCADO GREEN PEARL•Titan Black w/Blue Underlay6 mi$52,912Volkswagen of Duluth
Hermantown, MN
Lexus NX250 vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport FAQ
- Which is better: 2025 Lexus NX250 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2025 Lexus NX250 vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2025 Lexus NX250 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport starts lower at $38,300. Live Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport listings start at $17,681.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2025 Lexus NX250 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (38,300).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2025 Lexus NX250 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- The 2025 Lexus NX250 leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2025 Lexus NX250 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport leads on horsepower in this comparison (269).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2025 Lexus NX250 or 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (5,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2025 Lexus NX250 vs 2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (5/5 NHTSA overall).