Subaru Forester vs. Volkswagen Atlas
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Forester 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 Forester and the Volkswagen Atlas.
In comparing the Subaru Forester's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Forester's and the Volkswagen Atlas's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester is a better car than the Volkswagen Atlas.
Pricing: For a new model, the Subaru Forester's price is between $31,497 and $38,867, 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 Forester loses 34.5 percent of its value and the Volkswagen Atlas loses 48.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 13.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Volkswagen Atlas.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Forester is 8.6 out of 10 while the Volkswagen Atlas' quality rating is 7.4 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Forester being ranked 17 out of 67 Best Crossover SUVs and the Volkswagen Atlas being ranked 44 out of 67.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Forester is 8.3 out of 10. For the Volkswagen Atlas the reliability rating is 5.7 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Forester an advantage in reliability compared to the Volkswagen Atlas.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 180 horsepower, and the Volkswagen Atlas base engine makes 269 horsepower.
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 Subaru Forester, 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 Subaru Forester and the Volkswagen Atlas have the same average safety rating of 5 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:
$31,497 - $38,867
Starting MSRP:
$29,695
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
$29,563
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
$28,895 - $30,100
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:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
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:
6,016
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,428
# Good or Great Deals:
259
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$10,410
Depreciation %:
35.1%
Resale Value $:
$19,285
Residual Value %:
64.9%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)
34.7%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)
31.9% - 40.2%
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 Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.3 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 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 Forester
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
10.9 - 13.4
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
10.1%
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:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
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 Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 14Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
6 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
12 out of / 67Ranking
14 out of / 19Ranking
15 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 67Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 59Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
33 out of / 67Ranking
49 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 Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, 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:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2024 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
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:
180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 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:
2.5 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):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
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
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
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
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Cargo Space:
29.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
140.4 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:
3510 lbs
Width:
81.2 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
183.3 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 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:
17.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Exterior Colors
Blue
Horizon Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
White
Crystal White Pearl
Black
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Blue
Not available
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Red
Not available
White
Pure White
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray
Beige
Not available
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Not available
Beige
Shetland Beige
Black
Titan Black