BMW X5 vs. Volkswagen Atlas
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW X5 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 BMW X5 and the Volkswagen Atlas.
When comparing the BMW X5's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the BMW X5 has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, 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 resale value. Based on this comparison of the BMW X5's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the BMW X5 is a better car than the Volkswagen Atlas.
Pricing: A used 2024 BMW X5 ranges from $60,732 to $92,996 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is priced between $35,911 to $52,902. For a new model, the BMW X5's price is between $70,019 and $97,316, 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 BMW X5 loses 55 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Atlas retains 6.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW X5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW X5 is 7.8 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Atlas' quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the BMW X5 being ranked 7 out of 20 Best Luxury Midsize SUVs and the Volkswagen Atlas being ranked 20 out of 32 Best Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW X5 is 8.4 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Atlas the reliability rating is 5.7 out of 10. This gives the BMW X5 an advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Atlas.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X5’s base engine makes 375 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Atlas base engine makes 269 horsepower. The X5 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 591 miles. The Atlas is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 502 miles. This gives the BMW X5 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Volkswagen Atlas. The X5 uses premium unleaded, and the Atlas uses regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Atlas has higher safety ratings than the BMW X5, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$70,019 - $97,316
Starting MSRP:
$65,200
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:
$71,904
Price Range:
$60,732 - $92,996
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$82,938
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$54,923 - $133,203
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
631
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
22,386
# Good or Great Deals:
147
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:
1,104
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
15,680
# Good or Great Deals:
143
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
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
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
BMW X5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 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 BMW X5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.6
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:
13.6%
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:
41.1
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
BMW X5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 5Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 68Ranking
9 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 68Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 29Ranking
14 out of / 26Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
28 out of / 68Ranking
33 out of / 68Ranking
46 out of / 59Ranking
54 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, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW X5 Trim Levels
M60i, sDrive40i, xDrive40i
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:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
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):
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
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:
Not yet available
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:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
375 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
398 foot-lbs @ 1850 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.076 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 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 27 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
504 / 591 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
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Air Suspension:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
39.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
60 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
33.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
72.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
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:
4919 lbs
Width:
87.3 inches
Height:
69.1 inches
Length:
194.2 inches
Wheelbase:
117.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.3 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:
20.0 x 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/45R20
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic
Blue
Blue Ridge Mountain Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
Manhattan Green Metallic
Red
Ametrin Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Pure White
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Coffee / Cognac / Tartufo
Gray
Silverstone
White
Ivory White
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
White
Not available
Beige
Shetland Beige
