2022 Ford Explorer vs. 2022 Volkswagen Atlas
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2022 Ford Explorer and 2022 Volkswagen Atlas contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2022 Ford Explorer and the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas.
In comparing the 2022 Ford Explorer's and the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the 2022 Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and interior volume. The 2022 Ford Explorer and 2022 Volkswagen Atlas have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the 2022 Ford Explorer's and the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the 2022 Ford Explorer is a better car than the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas.
Pricing: A used 2022 Ford Explorer ranges from $28,433 to $46,999 while a used 2022 Volkswagen Atlas is priced between $27,490 to $41,809.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2022 Ford Explorer loses 47.6 percent of its value and the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the 2022 Ford Explorer retains 0.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.7 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Atlas' quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the Ford Explorer being ranked 7 out of 32 Best Midsize SUVs and the Volkswagen Atlas being ranked 20 out of 32. Out of 67 Best Crossover SUVs, the Ford Explorer is ranked 8 and the Volkswagen Atlas is ranked 44. The Ford Explorer is also ranked 8 out of 39 Best SUVs with 3 Rows while the Volkswagen Atlas is ranked 26 out of 39.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.5 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Atlas the reliability rating is 5.7 out of 10. This gives the Ford Explorer an advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Atlas.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the 2022 Ford Explorer’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas base engine makes 235 horsepower. Both the Explorer and the Atlas are rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 501 and 465 miles respectively. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room and cargo space. The 2022 Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the 2022 Ford Explorer and the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$41,582 - $60,091
Starting MSRP:
$35,510
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$34,578
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$27,400 - $40,325
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$34,335
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$34,578
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$27,400 - $40,325
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$35,719
Price Range:
$28,433 - $46,999
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$35,283
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$27,514 - $50,162
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3,186
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
38,876
# Good or Great Deals:
1,084
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$33,709
Price Range:
$27,490 - $41,809
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$35,283
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$27,514 - $50,162
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
722
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
41,785
# Good or Great Deals:
291
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
5.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2022 Ford Explorer
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.1
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.6 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2022 Volkswagen Atlas
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.6
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.6 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
17.9
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.3 - 18.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
9.1
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.3 - 18.2
Ford Explorer Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 18Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 16Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 30Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
53 out of / 59Ranking
59 out of / 67Volkswagen Atlas Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
9 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 67Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
13 out of / 18Ranking
14 out of / 34Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 39Ranking
19 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 39Ranking
24 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 32Ranking
26 out of / 39Ranking
26 out of / 39Ranking
27 out of / 32Ranking
30 out of / 39Ranking
33 out of / 39Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 59Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
60 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
2022 Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Base, King Ranch, Limited, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, ST-Line, Timberline, XLT
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Trim Levels
SE, SE 4Motion, SEL 4Motion, V6 SE, V6 SE 4Motion, V6 SEL 4Motion, V6 SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion, V6 SEL R-Line 4Motion, V6 SEL R-Line Black 4Motion
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.069 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
235 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 28 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
358 / 501 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 25 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
391 / 465 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
87.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
170.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.8 inches
Cargo Space:
20.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
96.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
174.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
198.8 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4262 lbs
Width:
78.4 inches
Height:
70.1 inches
Length:
200.7 inches
Wheelbase:
117.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Blue
Atlas Blue
Gray
Carbonized Gray
Green
Forged Green
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Tourmaline Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Silver
Pyrite Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Beige
Sandstone
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Shetland Beige
Black
Titan Black
