Ford Explorer vs. Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Explorer and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 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 Ford Explorer and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.
In comparing the Ford Explorer's and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 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 Ford Explorer's and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2024 Ford Explorer ranges from $39,237 to $59,113 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is priced between $34,813 to $51,998. For a new model, the Ford Explorer's price is between $40,144 and $62,004, with the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport priced between $38,615 and $54,400.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford Explorer loses 47.6 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport loses 45.9 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport retains 1.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Ford Explorer.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Explorer’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport base engine makes 269 horsepower. The Explorer is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 501 miles. The Atlas Cross Sport is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 502 miles.This gives the Ford Explorer the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport the advantage in maximum range. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Ford Explorer has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room and rear shoulder room. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has the advantage in the areas of rear leg room cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Ford Explorer and the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Ford Explorer has the better rating with a Top Safety Pick+ award compared to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$40,144 - $62,004
Starting MSRP:
$36,860
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$37,697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$31,990 - $43,320
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$38,615 - $54,400
Starting MSRP:
$36,985
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:
$47,137
Price Range:
$39,237 - $59,113
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$40,678 - $66,020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,066
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
12,889
# Good or Great Deals:
261
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$42,869
Price Range:
$34,813 - $51,998
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$40,678 - $66,020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,049
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
10,408
# Good or Great Deals:
129
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$17,254
Depreciation %:
46.7%
Resale Value $:
$19,731
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.1
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:
19.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
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:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 14.8
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
Ford Explorer Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 18Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 16Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 30Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
53 out of / 59Ranking
59 out of / 67Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Rankings
Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
13 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
18 out of / 32Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
24 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 32Ranking
30 out of / 32Ranking
39 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
42 out of / 59Ranking
49 out of / 67Ranking
51 out of / 67Ranking
57 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Base, King Ranch, Limited, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, ST-Line, Timberline, XLT
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Trim Levels
SE, SE 4Motion, SEL 4Motion, SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion, SEL 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):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 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:
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.069 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):
0.064 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
376 / 501 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
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
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
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
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
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
87.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
170.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.4 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.6 inches
Cargo Space:
40.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
77.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
152.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
198.8 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4173 lbs
Width:
88.5 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
195.6 inches
Wheelbase:
117.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted 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
Black
Agate Black
Gray
Carbonized Gray
Green
Forged Green
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Beige
Sandstone
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Dark Beige/Titan Black
Black
Titan Black
