2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Exterior Design

Rugged style and upscale convenience features characterize both the 2025 VW Atlas and 2025 Honda Pilot. Shared or similar exterior features on the two SUVs include a comprehensive array of standard LED lights, an available hands-free access tailgate, and an available panoramic sunroof in the Atlas or panoramic moonroof on the Pilot. For more rugged adventures, pick the Atlas Peak Edition™ or Pilot TrailSport. Both feature all-terrain tires and rugged underbody cladding, along with an off-road suspension for the Pilot TrailSport. Depending on the trim, the Pilot offers 18- or 20-inch wheels, while the Atlas is outfitted with 18-, 20-, or 21-inch wheel options. Rain-sensing windshield wipers are standard on the Atlas and included with upper-level Pilot trims.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Interior Design & Technology

Find genuine comfort and intuitive connectivity in the 2025 VW Atlas and 2025 Honda Pilot. Appreciate the convenience of power-adjustable front seats, three zones of climate adjustability, and split-folding second- and third-row seats with each model. An auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless phone charging, a heated steering wheel, and wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard with the Atlas and available with the Pilot.

Notable interior and technology differences include:

• Available materials — Soft-touch materials like cloth, leather, synthetic leather, or perforated leather are included across the Honda Pilot trim lineup. Likewise, the VW Atlas offers a range of premium materials, including perforated V-Tex leatherette, leather, and quilted Vienna leather. The Atlas steering wheel is wrapped in either leatherette or leather, while the Pilot includes a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel.
• Seat comfort options — Heated and ventilated front seats are standard in the Atlas, along with a heated steering wheel. By comparison, the Pilot has standard heated front seats. To get ventilated seats, pick the upper-tier Pilot Elite trim and above. Heated second-row outboard seats are optional on select trims in both models. Only the VW Atlas offers lumbar massage functionality for the front seats.
• Standard and available displays — The Honda Pilot features a 7-inch driver information screen and 7-inch color information touchscreen as standard equipment, and a 9-inch touchscreen and 10.2-inch driver information screen are available. A 12-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard in the VW Atlas, along with a 10.25-inch VW Digital Cockpit Pro instrument panel display. Keep your eyes on the road with an available head-up display in either SUV.
• Premium sound system — High-quality audio plays through 12 speakers and a subwoofer in either SUV. The Pilot offers a Bose® premium sound system with multi-zone audio, and the Atlas offers a Harman Kardon® 12-speaker surround sound system. Unique to the Pilot, the available CabinTalk® in-car communication system allows you to communicate with your passengers through the audio system.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Engine Specs & Fuel Economy

Strength and performance prowess characterize both the 2025 VW Atlas and 2025 Honda Pilot. Overall, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine of the Atlas makes more torque than the naturally aspirated V6 engine of the Pilot, but the Honda Pilot makes slightly more horsepower. Both SUVs boast a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity when properly equipped. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional with either model, but their automatic transmissions have a differing number of gears — eight speeds in the Atlas and ten speeds in the Pilot. While their fuel economy specifications are similar, the Atlas offers slightly higher MPG estimates in the city, and the Pilot has slightly higher highway MPG ratings.

Select your optimal performance settings in the Atlas with the standard drive mode select system with eco, comfort, sport, custom, and snow modes, as well as off-road mode for AWD models. In the Pilot, standard drive models include normal, econ, snow, tow, and sport; trail and sand drive modes are included on select trims.

Compare the engine specs for both models in the following chart.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Size & Cargo Space

Find family-friendly space and generous cargo accommodations in the 2025 VW Atlas and 2025 Honda Pilot. Both are three-row SUVs, with seating for up to seven in the Atlas and up to eight in the Pilot. You’ll find slightly more front- and third-row legroom in the Atlas and slightly more second-row legroom in the Pilot. With the rear two rows folded down, the Atlas offers up to 96.6 cubic feet of cargo space, while the Pilot provides up to 111.8 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Compare the size differences between the Atlas and Pilot in the following chart.

2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Honda Pilot Safety Options & Features

Advanced driver assistance features characterize both the 2025 VW Atlas and 2025 Honda Pilot. Their standard safety suites — Honda Sensing® in the Pilot and IQ.DRIVE® in the Atlas — include a wide range of high-end driver assistance technologies. Enjoy newfound confidence with similar functions like front assist with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking in the Atlas and forward collision warning with a Collision Mitigation Braking System™ on the Pilot. Furthermore, standard features in both SUVs include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and blind spot monitoring.

In select trims, the Atlas offers a parking steering assistant, which functions with autonomous parallel and perpendicular parking support and area view, which provides an overhead view camera. The Pilot also offers unique camera systems, including a multi-view camera system and TrailWatch™ camera system for a view of the ground below.

Standard Honda Pilot safety features include:

• Honda Sensing technologies
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane departure warning
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System
  • Road departure mitigation system
  • Lane keeping assist system
  • Traffic jam assist
  • Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
  • Traffic sign recognition system
  • Auto high-beam headlights
  • Driver attention monitor
  • Blind spot information system
  • Cross traffic monitor
• Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines and camera washer

Standard VW Atlas safety features include:

• IQ.DRIVE suite
  • Travel assist (semi-automated driving assistance)
  • Front assist (forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring)
  • Rear traffic alert
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
  • Active blind spot monitor
  • Lane assist (lane-keeping system)
  • Emergency assist
• Light assist (automatic high-beam control)
• Exit warning system
• Rearview camera system
• Lane change system side assist