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 fuel efficiency, resale value 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. Based on this comparison of the Acura RDX's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2025 Acura RDX ranges from $40,995 to $52,794 while a used 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is priced between $35,998 to $51,121. For a new model, the Acura RDX's price is between $46,450 and $56,400, with the Volkswagen Atlas priced between $38,737 and $56,016.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Acura RDX loses 47.8 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas loses 53.5 percent of its value. This means the Acura RDX retains 5.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus 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 22 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 484 miles.This gives the Acura RDX the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Atlas the advantage in maximum range. 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.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
46450 - 56400
Starting MSRP:
44700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
49635
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
23800 - 79100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
38737 - 56016
Starting MSRP:
38200
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
38382
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
31990 - 43000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
46256
Price Range:
40995 - 52794
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
51781
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
25863 - 81247
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
41289
Price Range:
35998 - 51121
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
45804
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
36966 - 59949
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
21505
Depreciation %:
0.48109644
Resale Value $:
23195
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.53712559
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.38326835 - 0.59140478
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.48432299
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
0.30530799 - 0.56163117
Acura RDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.4 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.9 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 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 RDX
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
15.8
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
14.6
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.0 - 16.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.322
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Atlas
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.9
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.7 - 16.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.769386709418236
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 54.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
7.8887869707206635
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
2.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.5 - 39.2
Acura RDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
1 out of / 1Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 70Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
3 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 70Ranking
5 out of / 70Ranking
6 out of / 28Ranking
8 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 28Ranking
9 out of / 26Ranking
12 out of / 70Ranking
13 out of / 70Ranking
13 out of / 70Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
17 out of / 62Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 70Ranking
28 out of / 70Ranking
32 out of / 70Ranking
34 out of / 70Ranking
40 out of / 70Ranking
46 out of / 70Ranking
49 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 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 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:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
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 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
372 / 484 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:
Available
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
Canyon River Blue Metallic
Gray
Liquid Carbon Metallic
Silver
Solar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Mountain Lake Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
Gray
Graystone
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Gray
Not available
Beige
Shetland Beige
