Volkswagen Atlas vs Subaru Ascent

The 2024 Subaru Ascent continued to struggle with its styling, as the design changes from the previous year introduced some controversial elements. The vehicle retained its Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Onyx Edition Limited, and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $34,395 to $48,695, excluding the destination charge. The Touring trim, which was tested, included a panoramic sunroof, premium Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a navigation system, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a camera-based rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera. The interior materials were of good quality, but the design felt modular and lacked sophistication.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas was offered in five trim levels: SE, SE with Technology, Peak Edition, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line. The Atlas Peak Edition had an off-road appearance, while the SEL Premium R-Line was sportier with more standard equipment. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line, tested in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, had a polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and 21-inch wheels, giving it a chiseled and upscale look. Inside, the Atlas featured diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood, creating a warm environment. The digital instrumentation and large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience, although the touch-sensing controls for temperature and stereo volume were not user-friendly.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive with active torque vectoring. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds, except for the Base trim, which had a 2,000-pound capacity. The SUV performed well in various driving conditions, from city streets to off-road trails, and handled speed humps and rutted terrain with ease. However, it struggled on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension tuning. Fuel economy was a downside, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, but the test drive returned lower figures.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or 4Motion all-wheel drive. Despite initial concerns about the engine's capability, it proved refined and satisfying for daily driving tasks. The Atlas returned 15.5 mpg in city driving and 19.2 mpg overall during testing, slightly below its EPA ratings. The ride quality was a concern, with the suspension feeling brittle over road imperfections and excessive body motions at highway speeds. However, the handling was predictable, and the brakes performed well under stress.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent prioritized function over form, with features like a dashboard shelf, large cupholders, and backpack pegs. The Touring trim offered comfortable front seats with premium Nappa leather, although the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear doors opened wide, making it easy to load children and cargo. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, but legroom was slightly limited. The third-row seat was suitable for short trips, with air conditioning vents and storage space. Cargo space was ample, with up to 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 75.6 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, with a comfortable third-row seat and a cavernous cargo area. The SEL Premium R-Line model featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, although the leather felt stiff. Visibility was excellent, aided by a surround-view camera system. The second-row bench seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample legroom and a panoramic sunroof overhead. Access to the third row was easy, and the seat provided adequate leg support. Storage space was commendable, with practical compartments throughout the cabin. The Atlas offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 96.6 cubic feet with seats folded.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered connected services, a navigation system, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. The display struggled in direct sunlight, and the native voice-recognition system was subpar. However, physical buttons and knobs were available for common functions, and Cabin Connect projected the driver's voice through the speakers.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used the MIB3 operating system with a 12-inch touchscreen. It lacked traditional controls, relying on touch-sensing buttons and a touch-and-slide volume control. The native voice assistant was unreliable, making smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto essential. The Harman Kardon audio system was impressive, but the MIB3 system had user-experience glitches, such as incorrect song titles and confusing navigation screens. Overall, the Atlas's infotainment system was not user-friendly, and pairing a smartphone was recommended.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with the EyeSight safety suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for rollover resistance, and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. However, the lane-centering assist technology was problematic, causing steering issues during testing.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured the IQ.Drive suite, with Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. It also included adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick. The IQ.Drive systems were accurate and trustworthy, with minimal issues during testing.