Acura MDX vs. Volkswagen Atlas
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura MDX and 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 Acura MDX and the Volkswagen Atlas.
In comparing the Acura MDX's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Acura MDX has the advantage in the areas of reliability, overall quality score and base engine power. The Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Acura MDX's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Atlas is a better car than the Acura MDX.
Pricing: A used 2024 Acura MDX ranges from $46,868 to $68,998 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is priced between $35,911 to $52,902. For a new model, the Acura MDX's price is between $52,942 and $75,293, with the Volkswagen Atlas priced between $39,765 and $55,865.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Acura MDX loses 51.5 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Atlas retains 3.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Acura MDX.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Acura MDX is 8.9 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Atlas' quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the Acura MDX being ranked 1 out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs and the Volkswagen Atlas being ranked 20 out of 32 Best Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Acura MDX is 9.3 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Atlas the reliability rating is 5.7 out of 10. This gives the Acura MDX a substantial advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Atlas.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura MDX’s base engine makes 290 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Atlas base engine makes 269 horsepower. The MDX is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 481 miles. The Atlas is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 502 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Atlas the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Acura MDX. The MDX uses premium unleaded, and the Atlas uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Acura MDX has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Acura MDX and the Volkswagen Atlas have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Acura MDX has the better rating with a Top Safety Pick+ award compared to the Volkswagen Atlas’s Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$52,942 - $75,293
Starting MSRP:
$50,150
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$72,087
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$48,600 - $127,200
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$39,765 - $55,865
Starting MSRP:
$37,995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$37,697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$31,990 - $43,320
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$55,574
Price Range:
$46,868 - $68,998
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$82,938
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$54,923 - $133,203
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
574
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12,060
# Good or Great Deals:
90
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$43,771
Price Range:
$35,911 - $52,902
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$40,678 - $66,020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,384
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,819
# Good or Great Deals:
213
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$26,319
Depreciation %:
52.5%
Resale Value $:
$23,831
Residual Value %:
47.5%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
53.4%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
43.3% - 61%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$18,632
Depreciation %:
49%
Resale Value $:
$19,363
Residual Value %:
51%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
Acura MDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.9 / 10
Reliability:
9.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 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 Acura MDX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
10.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
7.9 - 12.8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
64.7%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Atlas
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.6 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.8
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
3.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.8 - 41.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 14.8
Acura MDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 68Ranking
26 out of / 29Ranking
31 out of / 59Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
46 out of / 68Ranking
49 out of / 68Volkswagen 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
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Acura MDX Trim Levels
Base, SH-AWD, SH-AWD Type S, SH-AWD Type S w/Advance Package, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Tech, w/Tech
Volkswagen Atlas Trim Levels
Peak Edition SE 4Motion, Peak Edition SEL 4Motion, SE, SE 4Motion, SEL 4Motion, SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 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:
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:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
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:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
267 foot-lbs @ 4700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.068 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
269 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
273 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.062 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
19 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
352 / 481 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium 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):
20 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
372 / 502 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.3 inches
Cargo Space:
16.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
71.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
155.4 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:
96.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
174.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4271 lbs
Width:
78.7 inches
Height:
67.1 inches
Length:
198.4 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4343 lbs
Width:
88.5 inches
Height:
70.4 inches
Length:
200.7 inches
Wheelbase:
117.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/55R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Majestic Black Pearl
Blue
Fathom Blue Pearl
Gray
Liquid Carbon Metallic
Red
Performance Red Pearl
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment
Black
Ebony
Interior Colors
Beige
Shetland Beige
Black
Titan Black
