Subaru Ascent vs. Volkswagen Atlas
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Ascent 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 Subaru Ascent and the Volkswagen Atlas.
In comparing the Subaru Ascent's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Ascent has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing and resale value. The Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Ascent's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Atlas is a better car than the Subaru Ascent.
Pricing: A used 2024 Subaru Ascent ranges from $37,997 to $50,715 while a used 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is priced between $35,911 to $52,902. For a new model, the Subaru Ascent's price is between $39,525 and $51,240, 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 Subaru Ascent loses 44.1 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Ascent retains 4.1 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 Subaru Ascent’s base engine makes 260 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Atlas base engine makes 269 horsepower. The Ascent is rated to deliver an average of 22 miles per gallon, while the Atlas is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon. Both have a highway range of 502 miles. Both models use regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are crossover/midsize SUVs, the Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage of offering more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Subaru Ascent has the advantage in the areas of front leg room and rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Ascent and the Volkswagen Atlas have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Subaru Ascent has the better rating with a Top Safety Pick+ award compared to the Volkswagen Atlas’s Top Safety Pick award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$39,525 - $51,240
Starting MSRP:
$34,395
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$37,697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$31,990 - $43,320
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:
$44,018
Price Range:
$37,997 - $50,715
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$40,678 - $66,020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
2,336
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,298
# Good or Great Deals:
108
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:
4,104
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
2,154
# Good or Great Deals:
292
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$15,683
Depreciation %:
45.6%
Resale Value $:
$18,712
Residual Value %:
54.4%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
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%
Subaru Ascent Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 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 Subaru Ascent
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:
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:
6.5
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
Subaru Ascent Rankings
Ranking
4 out of / 28Ranking
7 out of / 39Ranking
7 out of / 34Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 67Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
16 out of / 32Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
18 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
21 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 67Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 39Ranking
29 out of / 39Ranking
30 out of / 32Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 39Ranking
35 out of / 59Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 67Volkswagen 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
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Ascent Trim Levels
Base, Limited 7-Passenger, Limited 8-Passenger, Onyx Edition, Onyx Edition Limited, Premium 7-Passenger, Premium 8-Passenger, Touring
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:
3 years / 36000 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
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:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
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:
260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque:
277 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 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:
2.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 26 / 22
Range (city/hwy):
386 / 502 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
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.1 inches
Rear Head Room:
40 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
60.3 inches
Cargo Space:
17.8 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
75.6 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
171.0 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:
4421 lbs
Width:
85.7 inches
Height:
71.6 inches
Length:
196.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 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:
245/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
White
Pure White
Interior Colors
Black
Slate Black
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black
Beige
Shetland Beige
