Acura RDX vs. Volkswagen Atlas
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Acura RDX 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 RDX and the Volkswagen Atlas.
In comparing the Acura RDX's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Acura RDX has the advantage in the areas of reliability, resale value, 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 interior volume. The Acura RDX and Volkswagen Atlas have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Acura RDX's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Acura RDX is a better car than the Volkswagen Atlas.
Pricing: A used 2024 Acura RDX ranges from $42,582 to $55,604 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is priced between $35,911 to $52,902. For a new model, the Acura RDX's price is between $45,700 and $56,095, 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 RDX loses 46.4 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Acura RDX retains 1.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Atlas.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Acura RDX is 8.4 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Atlas' quality rating is 7.4 out of 10.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Acura RDX is 8.5 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Atlas the reliability rating is 5.7 out of 10. This gives the Acura RDX an advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Atlas.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Acura RDX’s base engine makes 272 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Atlas base engine makes 269 horsepower. The RDX is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 462 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 RDX. The RDX uses premium unleaded, and the Atlas uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Volkswagen Atlas, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The Acura RDX, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room, rear leg room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Acura RDX and the Volkswagen Atlas have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, both the Acura RDX and the Volkswagen Atlas have the same Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
45700 - 56095
Starting MSRP:
44350
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
50139
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
22400 - 79100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
39765 - 55865
Starting MSRP:
37995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
37697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
31990 - 43320
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
48095
Price Range:
42582 - 55604
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
57314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
27806 - 84530
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
456
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12124
# Good or Great Deals:
110
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
43771
Price Range:
35911 - 52902
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
47563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
40678 - 66020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1217
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
19728
# Good or Great Deals:
550
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
20710
Depreciation %:
0.4669765
Resale Value $:
23640
Residual Value %:
0.5330235
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.50544779
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.40388799 - 0.56584885
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
18632
Depreciation %:
0.49037347
Resale Value $:
19363
Residual Value %:
0.50962653
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.4631145
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.27538997 - 0.53491193
Acura RDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.367532 / 10
Reliability:
8.493495 / 10
Retained Value:
7.6091 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.398743 / 10
Reliability:
5.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.49623 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura RDX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
12.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.7 - 13.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.351
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:
6.822963997981713
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 26.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.5578748018388837
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 14.8
Acura RDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 28Ranking
1 out of / 27Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 68Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 27Ranking
9 out of / 68Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 64Ranking
19 out of / 68Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
27 out of / 68Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
42 out of / 68Ranking
44 out of / 68Ranking
50 out of / 68Volkswagen Atlas Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 34Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 34Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
18 out of / 34Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 34Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 32Ranking
27 out of / 34Ranking
27 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 34Ranking
28 out of / 34Ranking
28 out of / 32Ranking
31 out of / 34Ranking
42 out of / 56Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 67Ranking
64 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Acura RDX Trim Levels
SH-AWD, SH-AWD w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD w/Advance, SH-AWD w/Advance w/A-SPEC, SH-AWD 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:
272 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
280 foot-lbs @ 1600 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:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
359 / 462 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
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
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
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
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
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
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
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60 inches
Rear Head Room:
38 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
29.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
58.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
133.5 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:
4014 lbs
Width:
74.8 inches
Height:
65.7 inches
Length:
187.4 inches
Wheelbase:
108.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.2 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 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R19
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
