Ford F-150 vs Volkswagen Atlas

Available in three cab styles with three bed lengths and eight trim levels, there is a 2025 F-150 for almost any budget or requirement. Six powertrains are also on the menu, and you can opt for an electric version called the F-150 Lightning. For the 2025 model year, Ford has added a slew of new standard and optional driver-assistance systems to the F-150, and a plush new Platinum Plus option package offers extra decadence for luxury-truck buyers.

Verdict: The depth and breadth of the 2025 Ford F-150 lineup are downright staggering. Fortunately for Ford, each version of this truck boasts serious substance, and while some rivals may be more appealing in one way or another, considered as a whole, the F-150 is the best light-duty pickup truck your money can buy.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas continues as VW’s American-market three-row SUV (a two-row Atlas Cross Sport is also available, but we’ll cover that separately), largely unchanged from its substantial 2024 refresh. For 2026, Volkswagen adds a factory-installed HomeLink rearview mirror to all but the base Atlas SE trim level–hardly groundbreaking stuff. What remains, however, is a vehicle that impresses with its upscale appearance and a genuinely spacious interior. A stiff ride and poorly executed technology will fight and frustrate you every step of the way, but the Atlas will nonetheless make you look good.

Verdict: The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas delivers on its core promise of style and space at a non-luxury price point. If you can tolerate its subpar ride quality and maddening infotainment system—or if you simply plan to rely on Apple CarPlay and ignore the native tech—this handsome three-row SUV offers compelling value for shoppers prioritizing looks and space.