2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2025 Honda Pilot

September 20, 2025 · 4 min read

Looking for a family-friendly SUV that combines performance, comfort, and features? The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas and 2025 Honda Pilot are two of the top contenders for Rhode Island shoppers. Here’s a comparison to help you decide which SUV fits your family’s needs best.

Trims and Pricing

Volkswagen Atlas

Available in five trims (SE, SE with Technology, Peak Edition, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line), the Atlas starts at $38,200 for the base SE and goes up to $53,205 for the fully loaded SEL Premium R-Line. Its bold styling includes standard adaptive LED headlights, an optional illuminated grille, and a striking athletic stance.

Honda Pilot

The Pilot offers six trims (Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition). While visually appealing with its conservative design, only the rugged TrailSport trim stands out. The base Sport trim starts at $40,200, with the range-topping Black Edition priced at $54,580.

Engine Performance and Towing

Volkswagen Atlas

Powered by a turbocharged 2.0L engine delivering 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, the Atlas pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission. With available AWD and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, the Atlas is ready for any adventure across Rhode Island, from Newport’s waterfront to the woods of Arcadia.

Honda Pilot

Equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, the Pilot’s standard 10-speed transmission offers smooth shifts, though it can feel overly eager in urban driving. With up to 5,000 pounds of towing capacity on AWD models, the Pilot is capable, but not as refined as the Atlas in terms of handling.

Fuel Efficiency

Both SUVs deliver comparable MPG figures:

Volkswagen Atlas:
- FWD: 20 MPG city / 26 MPG highway
- AWD: 19 MPG city / 26 MPG highway
Honda Pilot:
- FWD: 19 MPG city / 27 MPG highway
- AWD: 19 MPG city / 25 MPG highway

The Atlas maintains similar efficiency despite its turbocharged powertrain, making it a great option for families commuting across Rhode Island or heading out for a weekend road trip.

Interior Comfort and Versatility

Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas comfortably seats up to seven passengers (or six with optional captain’s chairs). Even the base SE is packed with premium features like synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and tri-zone climate control. Higher trims add luxury touches like massaging front seats, leather upholstery, driver memory settings, and a panoramic sunroof.

Cargo space is another Atlas highlight:

- 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row
- 96.6 cubic feet with rear seats folded flat, perfect for hauling gear to Narragansett’s beaches or a family outing to Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Honda Pilot

Seating for up to eight passengers makes the Pilot appealing, though legroom in the third row is noticeably tighter. Many features, like a heated steering wheel or leather seats, require upgrading to higher-priced trims.

Cargo capacity:

- 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row
- 87 cubic feet with folded seats, less spacious than the Atlas.

Technology and Features

Volkswagen Atlas

Standard tech includes a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone connectivity, USB ports for every row, and a wireless charging pad.

Honda Pilot

Lower trims come with a smaller 7-inch touchscreen and wired smartphone connectivity. Upgrading to the EX-L trim is required for wireless options, a larger 9-inch touchscreen, and third-row USB ports.

Driving Dynamics and Handling

Volkswagen Atlas

Known for agile handling, the Atlas offers precise steering and impressive cornering grip, making it enjoyable on winding roads near the Rhode Island coastline. Its suspension is tuned to absorb road imperfections, giving passengers a smooth yet controlled ride.

Honda Pilot

The Pilot delivers a quiet ride and comfortable suspension, but its steering feels less precise, with minimal road feedback. The V6 engine sounds promising during acceleration but may feel sluggish compared to competitors like the Atlas.

Which SUV is Right for You?

For Rhode Island families wanting a spacious, feature-rich SUV with athletic styling and refined handling, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas edges out the Honda Pilot. With a lower starting price, a more luxurious standard feature set, and superior cargo capacity, the Atlas is an SUV built for New England adventures.

At Speedcraft Volkswagen, you can experience the Atlas for yourself. Visit our Wakefield dealership or contact us today to schedule a test drive. Whether you’re commuting to Providence, exploring Block Island, or tackling snow-covered roads in winter, the Atlas is here to keep your family comfortable and confident.

Contact Speedcraft Volkswagen Today!

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Aug 13, 2026 in Vehicle Comparison

What are some differences between the Atlas and Tiguan?

2019 Volkswagen Atlas vs Tiguan We want to help car shoppers answer the questions they have. A lot of drivers are curious to learn more about the Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan, but they aren’t sure what makes each vehicle different. We want to show you what they both have and what sets them apart in this 2019 Volkswagen Atlas vs Tiguan comparison. Let’s get started. Standards The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan both come standard with roof rails for your extra cargo, automatic headlights, and Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect. These models also have similar safety features like an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and rearview camera system. All of these features are ready to help you keep in control and enjoy the ride. Now let’s take a look at what sets these vehicles apart. Differences There are several differences between these models, especially when it comes to size. The Tiguan has two rows of seats, although it does have an optional third row options, and the Atlas can seat up to seven passengers. The Atlas also has more cargo space, with 96.8 cubic feet maximum cargo volume vs the Tiguan’s 65.7 cubic feet of space. The Tiguan has a 2.0-liter engine that delivers 184 horsepower and the Atlas has an engine that delivers 235 horsepower as well. This 2019 Volkswagen Atlas vs Tiguan comparison is here to help you see which one is right for you. We hope we helped you find everything you were looking for. If you have any more questions about these models or any of our other Volkswagen vehicles, you can check out our online inventory and schedule a test drive with us at Speedcraft Volkswagen today.

Aug 27, 2018 in Vehicle Comparison

How do the Atlas and Pilot compare?

2018 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2018 Honda Pilot We want to show you the differences and the similarities in the Volkswagen Atlas and the Honda Pilot. We will compare the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vs the 2018 Honda Pilot to show drivers which of these vehicles has the best features. Let’s take a look and see what you like about these models. READ MORE: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas Color Options Cabin Dimensions The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas has plenty of room for you and your passengers. It has seven seats and 153.7 cubic feet of passenger volume. You also have more legroom to enjoy. The Atlas has 41.5 inches of legroom in the front row whereas the Pilot only has 40.9 inches of front legroom. The Atlas gives you more than just room for your passengers. It has a maximum cargo volume of 96.8 cubic feet. That’s plenty of space for what you need. Interior Features The Atlas offers many features that the Honda Pilot cannot. The Atlas has a dual zone climate control system whereas the Pilot simply has an air conditioning with air-filtering system. The Atlas also has three 12V outlets to give you more options in the vehicle. Both of these models also have rear view camera systems to help you exit and park. READ MORE: 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Now that you know more about the differences between the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas vs the 2018 Honda Pilot, you can see which one is the right model for you. We hope we helped you find everything you were looking for. If you would like to learn more about the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas or any of our other Volkswagen models, you can check out our online inventory to see what we have available and schedule a test drive with us at Speedcraft Volkswagen today.

Jul 27, 2018 in Vehicle Comparison

How do the Golf and Golf GTI compare?

2018 Volkswagen Golf vs Golf GTI We know shoppers have a lot of questions about our Volkswagen vehicles. That is why we want to help answer these questions with some detailed information. Many shoppers want to learn the difference between the 2018 Volkswagen Golf and the Golf GTI. Let's compare the 2018 Volkswagen Golf vs the Golf GTI to show you what they can do. READ MORE: 2018 Volkswagen Golf Color Options Similarities Both the Volkswagen Golf and GTI have some interesting features. These vehicles have rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic headlights. These models also include LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and LED taillights. These models also have the same interior dimensions. They have 22.8 cubic feet of cargo space and 41.2 inches of legroom for front seat passengers and 35.6 inches of legroom for rear row passengers. Now that you know the similarities between these models, let's take a look at what sets them apart. Differences The 2018 Volkswagen Golf and the 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI have different engines for different outputs. The Golf has a 1.8-liter engine that delivers 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Golf GTI has a 2.0-liter engine that delivers 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI also has heated front seats. The Volkswagen Golf has a highway gas mileage of 34 mpg, and the Golf GTI has a highway gas mileage of 33 mpg. READ MORE: 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Convenience Features We hope this 2018 Volkswagen Golf vs Golf GTI comparison has helped you learn more about these vehicles. If you have any more questions about the 2018 Volkswagen Golf, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI, or any of our other Volkswagen models, you can check out our online inventory to see what we have available and schedule a test drive with us at Speedcraft Volkswagen today.