2026 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Subaru Forester underwent a noticeable visual transformation, focusing on a more generic yet refined appearance. Standard roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels were introduced, enhancing its practicality. The Forester Sport trim featured bronze accents, adding a mature touch, while the Touring trim boasted chrome badging and a low-profile roof rack. The interior saw improvements with StarTex material in the Sport trim and genuine leather in Limited and Touring trims, creating a more intentional and designed cabin atmosphere.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, particularly in the SEL Premium R-Line trim, exuded a sense of luxury with its sculpted silhouette and full-LED lighting. The Peak Edition added rugged elements like unique bumpers and blackout trim. Inside, the Atlas offered quilted diamond-pattern leather seats and metallic accents, creating a warm and inviting environment. However, the ride quality suffered due to the large 21-inch wheels, transmitting vibrations on imperfect surfaces. Despite this, the Atlas maintained a competent chassis with well-weighted steering and linear brakes.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. It came with a Lineartonic CVT and Symmetrical AWD as standard. The Forester's X-Mode system, standard from the Premium trim, enhanced stability and traction on challenging terrains. The Forester Sport's performance was stable on various surfaces, though acceleration was modest. Fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, with slight variations for Sport and Touring trims.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas retained its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it offered FWD as standard, with AWD available on all trims. The Atlas's wide torque band provided flexibility, though initial acceleration felt adequate rather than eager. It achieved a 0-60 mph time of 8.3 seconds for AWD models. The Atlas recorded 22 mpg during testing, slightly above the EPA's 21 mpg combined estimate. The 4Motion AWD system performed well in rain and light snow, though ride quality suffered due to the large wheels.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, increasing cargo space to 29.6 cubic feet with rear seats in place and 74.4 cubic feet when folded. It offered a roomy second row, though cargo space was slightly less than some competitors. The interior featured a dark headliner and power-adjustable seats, with heated options available on higher trims.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in accommodating passengers and cargo. It offered heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, with supportive seating for long drives. The second row featured captain's chairs, allowing easy access to the third row. Cargo capacity was a strong point, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 96.6 cubic feet in total. The Atlas provided competitive space across all three rows, making it ideal for hauling people and belongings comfortably.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual USB ports, and a wireless charging pad. The Touring trim added a navigation system and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Subaru's Starlink connected services suite offered additional capabilities for 2025.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas featured a 12-inch touchscreen with the MIB3 operating system, a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, and wireless connectivity. However, the interface was frustrating to use, with touch-sensitive controls that were invisible at night. The Harman Kardon audio system and Digital Cockpit Pro were highlights, but the tech prioritized form over function, making basic tasks challenging.

The 2025 Subaru Forester offered Emergency Stop Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technology. Enhancements included a wider field of view and an electric brake booster. While crash-test ratings for 2025 were unavailable, the 2024 model received high safety ratings.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS for 2025. The IQ.Drive suite of driver assistance features was standard, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. The systems performed reliably during testing, enhancing the Atlas's safety credentials.