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 area of base engine power. The Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, 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: For a new model, the Acura MDX's price is between $55,950 and $77,785, with the Volkswagen Atlas priced between $41,870 and $58,236.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Acura MDX loses 53.7 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas loses 53.5 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Atlas retains 0.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Acura MDX.
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.
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.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
55950 - 77785
Starting MSRP:
51800
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
77833
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
51200 - 138300
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
41870 - 58236
Starting MSRP:
39310
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
39270
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
32190 - 44750
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
66659
Price Range:
55350 - 70850
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
73712
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
60234 - 92425
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
51972
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
50800 - 55009
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Acura MDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura MDX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
12.8
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
9.7 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.317
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Atlas
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.0
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.8 - 11.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Acura MDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 31Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 15Ranking
3 out of / 8Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 15Ranking
5 out of / 31Ranking
5 out of / 28Ranking
6 out of / 31Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 70Ranking
7 out of / 70Ranking
8 out of / 70Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 28Ranking
12 out of / 28Ranking
13 out of / 70Ranking
13 out of / 70Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 70Ranking
19 out of / 31Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
22 out of / 31Ranking
22 out of / 31Ranking
23 out of / 28Ranking
24 out of / 70Ranking
24 out of / 31Ranking
25 out of / 31Ranking
29 out of / 70Ranking
29 out of / 62Ranking
37 out of / 70Ranking
39 out of / 70Ranking
41 out of / 70Ranking
47 out of / 70Ranking
48 out of / 70Volkswagen Atlas Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 66Ranking
6 out of / 31Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 33Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 33Ranking
16 out of / 66Ranking
16 out of / 31Ranking
17 out of / 33Ranking
17 out of / 33Ranking
17 out of / 26Ranking
18 out of / 66Ranking
18 out of / 33Ranking
20 out of / 66Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
23 out of / 31Ranking
24 out of / 33Ranking
26 out of / 66Ranking
26 out of / 31Ranking
27 out of / 31Ranking
28 out of / 33Ranking
29 out of / 33Ranking
30 out of / 33Ranking
46 out of / 66Ranking
46 out of / 66Ranking
47 out of / 54Ranking
62 out of / 66Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Acura MDX Trim Levels
Base, SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC w/Advance, 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 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
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
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
Satellite radio:
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
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
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:
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
Satellite radio:
Standard
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:
60.5 inches
Cargo Space:
20.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
96.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
174.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4268 lbs
Width:
78.7 inches
Height:
67.9 inches
Length:
198.4 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4317 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
Gray
Liquid Carbon Metallic
Silver
Solar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Blue
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Gray
Not available
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
White
Opal White Pearl
Blue
Mountain Lake Blue Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Parchment
Black
Ebony
Interior Colors
Beige
Shetland Beige
Black
Titan Black
