2026 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in several trims, including the Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The Black Edition, which we tested in Southern California, was based on the Elite trim and featured distinctive black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, it offered black leather seats with red perforation accents, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. The Pilot's design aimed for a rugged look, especially with the TrailSport trim, but the Black Edition's aesthetic was more suited for suburban environments. Despite its thoughtful interior design and quality materials, the Pilot's digital displays and infotainment system appeared dated, lacking a significant "wow factor."

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, particularly in the SEL Premium R-Line trim, exuded a sense of luxury with its full-LED lighting, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, and sculpted silhouette. The Peak Edition added rugged elements like unique bumpers and blackout trim pieces. Our test vehicle, painted in Pure Gray, maintained a clean appearance even after extensive winter driving. Inside, the Atlas featured quilted diamond-pattern leather seats, metallic accents, and artificial wood trim, creating a warm and inviting environment. The 12-inch touchscreen promised a high-tech experience, though its functionality was more form than function. The Atlas's design and upscale appointments made it stand out in its segment, though it couldn't entirely mask some functional shortcomings.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed most Pilot models to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Pilot offered various driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The AWD system, with torque vectoring, provided up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. However, the transmission sometimes felt slow to downshift, and fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 20 mpg during testing. The Pilot's handling was predictable and secure, though an adaptive-damping suspension system could have improved ride quality.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, generating 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Atlas offered FWD as standard, with AWD available on all trims. The engine's wide powerband made the Atlas feel capable, though initial acceleration was not particularly quick. The Atlas achieved a zero-to-60 mph time of 8.3 seconds, slightly slower than the Pilot. Fuel economy was slightly better, with 22 mpg recorded during testing. The 4Motion AWD system performed well in rain and light snow, but the ride quality suffered due to the large wheels, transmitting vibrations and harshness into the cabin.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat's limited adjustment options were a drawback. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable center section for easy access to the third row. The third row was habitable for adults, though not particularly comfortable. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas was designed for comfort and space, accommodating adults and luggage with ease. The SEL Premium R-Line's front seats were heated, ventilated, and equipped with massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs allowed easy access to the third row, which provided decent leg support. The Atlas offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 96.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. Its cargo capacity was competitive, trailing only the largest vehicles in the segment.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens and a lack of advanced features. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the wireless CarPlay function was problematic, and the voice recognition system was unreliable. The CabinTalk feature allowed the driver to communicate with passengers over the stereo speakers, but the overall technology package met only the bare minimum expectations.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and multiple USB-C ports were included. The SEL Premium R-Line added a Harman Kardon audio system, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera system. However, the MIB3 system was frustrating to use, with a complex interface and touch-sensitive controls that were invisible at night. The voice control system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto the preferred options.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was equipped with Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems had performance issues, and the road sign recognition system was inaccurate. Despite these drawbacks, the Pilot earned high safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS for 2025. The IQ.Drive suite of driver assistance features was standard across all trims, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. The systems performed reliably during testing, and the SEL Premium R-Line added Park Assist for easier maneuvering.