Volkswagen Atlas vs. Mazda CX-9
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Atlas and Mazda CX-9 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 Volkswagen Atlas and the Mazda CX-9.
When we compare the Volkswagen Atlas's and the Mazda CX-9's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage in the area of interior volume. The Mazda CX-9 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and base engine power. The Volkswagen Atlas and Mazda CX-9 have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Atlas's and the Mazda CX-9's specifications and ratings, the Mazda CX-9 is a better car than the Volkswagen Atlas.
Pricing: A used 2023 Volkswagen Atlas ranges from $25,357 to $39,999 while a used 2023 Mazda CX-9 is priced between $24,480 to $34,299. For a new model, the Volkswagen Atlas's price is between $38,888 and $53,807, with the Mazda CX-9 priced between $38,027 and $46,161.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Volkswagen Atlas loses 53.5 percent of its value and the Mazda CX-9 loses 50.7 percent of its value. This means the Mazda CX-9 retains 2.8 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 Volkswagen Atlas’s base engine makes 235 horsepower, and the Mazda CX-9 base engine makes 250 horsepower. Both the Atlas and the CX-9 are rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 465 and 507 miles respectively. 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, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Mazda CX-9 has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Volkswagen Atlas and the Mazda CX-9 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
38888 - 53807
Starting MSRP:
35150
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
36046
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
28750 - 41535
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
38027 - 46161
Starting MSRP:
38750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
36046
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
28750 - 41535
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
32282
Price Range:
25357 - 39999
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
34361
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
24907 - 50072
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
547
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
37965
# Good or Great Deals:
215
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
29384
Price Range:
24480 - 34299
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
34361
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
24907 - 50072
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
528
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
40845
# Good or Great Deals:
170
Volkswagen Atlas Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.6 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Mazda CX-9 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.9 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Atlas
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.7 - 14.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mazda CX-9
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.0
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
9.2
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
6.7 - 14.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.16
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.458018137083248
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.1 - 27.9
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7552022033699368
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
4.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.1 - 27.9
Volkswagen Atlas Rankings
Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 34Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 32Ranking
12 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 34Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
18 out of / 34Ranking
20 out of / 67Ranking
20 out of / 34Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
23 out of / 67Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
24 out of / 67Ranking
26 out of / 32Ranking
27 out of / 34Ranking
27 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 34Ranking
28 out of / 34Ranking
28 out of / 32Ranking
31 out of / 34Ranking
42 out of / 56Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
52 out of / 67Ranking
64 out of / 67Mazda CX-9 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 16Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 67Ranking
4 out of / 16Ranking
5 out of / 34Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 34Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 34Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
14 out of / 34Ranking
14 out of / 32Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
19 out of / 34Ranking
20 out of / 32Ranking
21 out of / 32Ranking
22 out of / 34Ranking
25 out of / 34Ranking
26 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 67Ranking
27 out of / 32Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 67Ranking
28 out of / 34Ranking
28 out of / 32Ranking
29 out of / 32Ranking
30 out of / 32Ranking
31 out of / 34Ranking
31 out of / 34Ranking
31 out of / 34Ranking
32 out of / 67Ranking
44 out of / 67Ranking
53 out of / 67Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Atlas Trim Levels
SE, SE 4Motion, SEL 4Motion, V6 SE, V6 SE 4Motion, V6 SEL 4Motion, V6 SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion, V6 SEL R-Line Black 4Motion
Mazda CX-9 Trim Levels
Carbon Edition, Grand Touring, Signature, Touring, Touring Plus
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 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:
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:
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:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
235 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
250 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
320 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
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):
21 / 25 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
391 / 465 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 26 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 507 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage 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
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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:
96.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
174.6 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
41 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.1 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
71.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
150.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4261 lbs
Width:
88.5 inches
Height:
70.1 inches
Length:
200.7 inches
Wheelbase:
117.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.1 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4409 lbs
Width:
86.9 inches
Height:
69 inches
Length:
199.4 inches
Wheelbase:
115.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P245/60R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P255/60R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Tourmaline Blue Metallic
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silver
Pyrite Silver Metallic
White
Pure White
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Jet Black Mica
Blue
Deep Crystal Blue Mica
Gray
Machine Gray Metallic
Silver
Sonic Silver Metallic
White
Snowflake White Pearl Mica
Red
Soul Red Crystal Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Shetland Beige
Black
Titan Black
Interior Colors
Beige
Sand
Black
Black
