Buick Enclave vs. Volkswagen Atlas
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Buick Enclave 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 Buick Enclave and the Volkswagen Atlas.
When we compare the Buick Enclave's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Buick Enclave has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume, 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 and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Buick Enclave's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2024 Buick Enclave ranges from $39,990 to $58,926 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is priced between $35,911 to $52,902. For a new model, the Buick Enclave's price is between $41,979 and $61,537, 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 Buick Enclave loses 54.5 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Atlas retains 6.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Buick Enclave.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Buick Enclave is 8.5 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Atlas' quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the Buick Enclave being ranked 4 out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs and the Volkswagen Atlas being ranked 20 out of 31 Best Midsize SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Buick Enclave is 8.8 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Atlas the reliability rating is 5.7 out of 10. This gives the Buick Enclave a substantial advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Atlas.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Buick Enclave’s base engine makes 310 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Atlas base engine makes 269 horsepower. The Enclave is rated to deliver an average of 21 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 494 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 Buick Enclave. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/fullsize SUVs, the Buick Enclave has the advantage of offering more front head room, front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Volkswagen Atlas, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room and rear head room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Volkswagen Atlas has higher safety ratings than the Buick Enclave, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.77 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:
$41,979 - $61,537
Starting MSRP:
$43,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$88,803
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$43,900 - $155,295
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:
$48,353
Price Range:
$39,990 - $58,926
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$108,428
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
$48,353 - $235,429
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
552
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
4,554
# Good or Great Deals:
113
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:
8,228
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
560
# Good or Great Deals:
148
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$24,435
Depreciation %:
55.7%
Resale Value $:
$19,465
Residual Value %:
44.3%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
57%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
42.8% - 61.5%
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%
Buick Enclave Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.8 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
9.5 / 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 Buick Enclave
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.5
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
10.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
8.5 - 18.9
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
21.3%
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:
2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Large SUVs)
1.5 - 32.7
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
Buick Enclave Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 26Ranking
1 out of / 22Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
5 out of / 22Ranking
6 out of / 22Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
7 out of / 22Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
12 out of / 29Ranking
13 out of / 59Ranking
16 out of / 22Ranking
17 out of / 68Ranking
18 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 22Ranking
18 out of / 22Ranking
20 out of / 22Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
24 out of / 29Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
48 out of / 68Ranking
50 out of / 68Volkswagen Atlas Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 31Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
11 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 31Ranking
13 out of / 27Ranking
13 out of / 18Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 39Ranking
19 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 31Ranking
20 out of / 31Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 39Ranking
24 out of / 31Ranking
24 out of / 31Ranking
26 out of / 39Ranking
26 out of / 39Ranking
26 out of / 31Ranking
30 out of / 39Ranking
33 out of / 39Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 59Ranking
60 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Buick Enclave Trim Levels
Avenir, Essence, Premium
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:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 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):
4.77 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 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
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
310 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque:
266 foot-lbs @ 2800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 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:
3.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
18 / 26 / 21
Range (city/hwy):
342 / 494 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular 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
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
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
Forward Collision Warning:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
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
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
42.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
62.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.9 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.6 inches
Cargo Space:
23.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
97.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
180.9 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:
4359 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
204.8 inches
Wheelbase:
120.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.5 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:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Beige
Sage Metallic
Black
Ebony Twilight Metallic
Blue
Emperor Blue Metallic
Gray
Moonstone Gray Metallic
Red
Cherry Red Tintcoat
White
Summit White / White Frost Tricoat
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
White
Pure White
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Whisper Beige w/ Ebony Accents
Gray
Dark Galvanized w/ Ebony Accents
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Shetland Beige
Gray
Not available
Black
Titan Black
