2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2024 Ford Explorer®
The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and 2024 Ford Explorer® are family-friendly SUVs best suited for larger families. Packed with premium amenities, these three-row SUV options are both ready to impress. Learn more by reading through this 2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2024 Ford Explorer® comparison helpfully put together by the pros at Team Volkswagen.
Interested in learning more about the new VW Atlas? View our trims guide to see which features are standard with which Atlas model. Then, take a look through our new inventory to find your ideal VW SUV, and use our online form to schedule a test drive at our Merrillville, IN, dealership. If you have any questions, you can give us a call at (219) 947-1581 or message us online.
The 2024 VW Atlas starts at $37,995, and the 2024 Ford Explorer has a starting MSRP of $36,860 MSRP.
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2024 Volkswagen Atlas
2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2024 Ford Explorer Exterior
Stylish good looks make the 2024 VW Atlas and Ford Explorer eye-catching options. The Atlas boasts an available hands-free easy-open power liftgate that streamlines the process of loading groceries and heavy suitcases, while the Explorer offers a power liftgate. Melt the snow and ice off your exterior mirrors with the handy heating element, which is standard on the Atlas and available on the Explorer. Both SUVs offer wheels that range in size from 18 to 21 inches.
To learn more about the 2024 VW Atlas, head over to our review!
Available VW Atlas exterior features include:
- Heated washer nozzles
- Roof rails
- Integrated light bar in grille
- Illuminated exterior emblems
- Trailer hitch
- Adaptive front lighting system with dynamic cornering lights
- Automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, and tail lights
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
2024 Volkswagen Atlas
2024 Volkswagen Atlas
2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2024 Ford Explorer Interior
Remain centered when you enter the 2024 VW Atlas or Ford Explorer. Both are designed to keep you and your co-pilot happy with available heated and ventilated front seats. Connect effortlessly to the standard 12-inch infotainment touchscreen set into the VW Atlas center console or the available 10.1-inch SYNC® 3 system offered on the Ford Explorer. Treat the audiophiles in your family to a concert-like experience with the available Harman Kardon® premium audio system on the Atlas or the optional B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® on the Explorer.
If you’re interested in learning more about the VW Atlas cabin, head over to our interior overview.
Available VW Atlas interior and infotainment features include:
Interior:
- Eight-way power front seats
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Power tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof
- Climatronic® three-zone automatic climate control
- Multi-color adjustable ambient lighting
Infotainment:
- Wireless charging
- Wired or wireless App-Connect® (Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™)
- 10.25-in. multi-color VW Digital Cockpit Pro
2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2024 Ford Explorer Engine Specs
No matter if you pick a 2024 Volkswagen Atlas or 2024 Ford Explorer, you’ll find roughly similar fuel efficiency ratings produced by their respective engines. The VW Atlas has an all-new engine for the 2024 model year focused on livelier power than previous Atlas engine options. The VW Atlas also comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission with Tiptronic and can be paired with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or 4MOTION® all-wheel drive (AWD). Meanwhile, the Ford Explorer is equipped with a ten-speed automatic transmission and can be built with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD).
| Model | 2024 VW Atlas | 2024 Ford Explorer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L TSI® four-cylinder | 2.3L EcoBoost® I4 | 3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
| Horsepower | 269 HP | 300 HP | 400 HP |
| Torque | 273 lb.-ft. | 310 lb.-ft. | 415 lb.-ft. |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 20 / 27 | 21 / 28 | 18 / 26 |
| Max. Towing Capacity | 5,000 lbs. | 5,300 lbs. | 5,600 lbs. |
2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2024 Ford Explorer Cargo Space
A commodious cabin greets you and your passengers when you enter the 2024 VW Atlas or 2024 Ford Explorer. While both can seat seven passengers comfortably, the Atlas has the most overall cargo space as well as the better third-row legroom. If you need to take full advantage of the cargo space available, the Atlas comes with a 60/40 split-folding second-row seat and 50/50 split-folding third-row seat. The Explorer, on the other hand, offers PowerFold® third-row seats and either second-row captain’s chairs or a 35/30/35 split-fold-flat second-row bench seat.
| Model | 2024 VW Atlas | 2024 Ford Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Seating | Seven | Seven |
| Max. Cargo Space | 96.6 cu.-ft. | 87.8 cu.-ft. |
| Cargo Space (Behind Second-/Third-Row) | 55.5 / 20.6 cu.-ft. | 47.9 / 18.2 cu.-ft. |
| Headroom (First/Second/Third Row) | Up to 41.3 / 40.4 / 38.3 in. | 40.7 / 40.5 / 38.9 in. |
| Legroom (First/Second/Third Row) | 41.7 / 37.6 / 33.7 in. | 43 / 39 / 32.2 in. |
2024 Volkswagen Atlas
2024 Volkswagen Atlas
2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2024 Ford Explorer Safety
Protect your loved ones in either the 2024 VW Atlas or 2024 Ford Explorer. Stay in your lane with help from the lane assist system on the Atlas or the lane keeping system on the Explorer. Park with confidence with the park assist and park distance control on the Atlas or Active Park Assist 2.0 on the Explorer. Available VW Atlas driver assist features include:
IQ.DRIVE®
- Travel assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Active blind spot monitor
- Rear traffic alert
- Front assist
- Emergency assist
- Lane assist
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Ford Explorer | Merrillville, IN
Stylish and versatile, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas and 2022 Ford Explorer are three-row premium SUVs worth considering. What is the main difference between these two SUVs? The Volkswagen Atlas is larger and can hold more cargo overall. For more information, read through the following VW Atlas vs. Ford Explorer comparison put together by Team Volkswagen.
Interested in getting behind the wheel of the Volkswagen Atlas? View our online inventory and pair your favorite model with a finance or lease offer. Then, contact our Merrillville, IN, dealership by phone at (888) 824-9154 or through our online form.
The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SE starts at $34,335 MSRP, while the 2022 Ford Explorer has a starting MSRP of $33,745.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Ford Explorer Exterior Design
Sophisticated silhouettes will meet your gaze as you approach the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas and 2022 Ford Explorer. Both models offer hands-free liftgates to make loading heavy cases of water into your trunk easier. You’ll also appreciate the power-folding, heated side mirrors with memory settings on both models. Illuminate the road with LED headlights, daytime running lights, and tail lights on both models.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Ford Explorer Interior Design & Technology
Appreciate plush accommodations in both the 2022 Ford Explorer and 2022 Volkswagen Atlas. Both come equipped with second-row captain’s chairs and seven-passenger seating. Everyone in the vehicle will appreciate the ability to regulate the temperature of the cabin with tri-zone automatic climate control.
Stay connected with the world around you thanks to technology included with both models. Belt out your favorite tunes while listening through the Fender® premium audio system on the Atlas or the B&O® sound system on the Explorer. Connect to the internet with help from the 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot on both models. Other VW Atlas technology features include:
- Standard VW Digital Cockpit
- Keyless access
- Wireless charging
- Remote start
- Wireless App-Connect
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Ford Explorer Engine Specs & Fuel Economy
Get in and go when you choose either a 2022 Volkswagen Atlas or 2022 Ford Explorer. The VW Atlas comes with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or available with 4MOTION® with Active Control (all-wheel drive) with the following modes: Snow Mode, On-Road Mode, Off-Road Mode, and Off-Road Custom Mode. The Ford Explorer, on the other hand, comes equipped with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD) with the Terrain Management System™.
View VW Atlas and Ford Explorer engine specs in the following chart.
|
2022 SUV Model |
VW Atlas |
VW Atlas |
Ford Explorer |
Ford Explorer |
Ford Explorer |
|
Engine |
2.0L turbo four-cylinder |
3.6L V6 |
2.3L EcoBoost® I4 |
3.3L Hybrid |
3.0L EcoBoost V6 |
|
Horsepower |
235 HP |
276 HP |
300 HP |
318 HP |
365/400 HP |
|
Torque |
258 lb.-ft. |
266 lb.-ft. |
310 lb.-ft. |
322 lb.-ft. |
380/415 lb.-ft. |
|
MPG |
21 city/25 hwy |
18 city/24 hwy |
21 city/28 hwy |
27 city/28 hwy |
18 city/26 hwy |
|
Towing Capacity |
2,000 lbs. |
5,000 lbs. |
5,300 lbs. |
5,000 lbs. |
5,600 lbs. |
|
Transmission |
Eight-speed automatic with Tiptronic® |
Eight-speed automatic with Tiptronic |
Ten-speed automatic |
Ten-speed automatic |
Ten-speed automatic |
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Ford Explorer Size & Cargo Space
Appreciate a spacious cabin regardless of whether you select the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas or 2022 Ford Explorer. The Atlas is the larger of the two models and offers the most cargo capacity of the two.
|
VW Atlas |
2022 SUV Model |
Ford Explorer |
|
Seven |
Passenger Capacity |
Seven |
|
41.3/40.4/38.3 in. |
First/Second/Third Row Headroom |
40.7/40.5/38.9 in. |
|
41.7/37.6/33.7 in. |
First/Second/Third Row Legroom |
43/39/32.2 in. |
|
96.8 cu.-ft. |
Cargo Capacity Behind First Row |
87.8 cu.-ft. |
|
55.5 cu.-ft. |
Cargo Capacity Behind Second Row |
47.9 cu.-ft. |
|
20.6 cu.-ft. |
Cargo Capacity Behind Third Row |
18.2 cu.-ft. |
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. Ford Explorer Safety Options & Features
Work to protect your loved ones with driver assistance technology on the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas and 2022 Ford Explorer.
2022 Volkswagen Atlas
- IQ.DRIVE®
- Travel Assist (hands-on semi autonomous driving)
- Adaptive cruise control
- Front Assist (forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking)
- Active blind spot monitor
- Rear traffic alert
- Emergency Assist (automatic emergency braking)
- Lane Assist (lane keep assist)
2022 Ford Explorer
- Ford Co-Pilot360™ technology
- Auto high beam headlamps
- Rear view camera
- BLIS® (blind spot information system) with cross traffic alert
- Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping system
- Intelligent adaptive cruise control
2024 Volkswagen Atlas for Sale Near Me
The new VW Atlas is for sale at Team Volkswagen in Merrillville, IN! Find your ideal SUV in our new inventory, use our online form to schedule a test drive, and figure out how and when to get here through our hours and directions page. Call us at (219) 947-1581 or message us online if you have any questions.
We're sorry, availability of some equipment, options or features may be limited due to global supply issues affecting the auto industry. Please be sure to verify that the vehicle you purchase includes all expected features and equipment.
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