Volkswagen Atlas vs. Tesla Model Y
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Atlas and Tesla Model Y 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 Tesla Model Y.
When comparing the Volkswagen Atlas's and the Tesla Model Y's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Atlas has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. The Tesla Model Y has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Atlas's and the Tesla Model Y's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Atlas is a better car than the Tesla Model Y.
Pricing: A used 2024 Volkswagen Atlas ranges from $35,911 to $52,902 while a used 2024 Tesla Model Y is priced between $39,977 to $51,617.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Volkswagen Atlas loses 48.2 percent of its value and the Tesla Model Y loses 53.4 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Atlas retains 5.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model Y.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Atlas’s base engine makes 269 horsepower, and the Tesla Model Y base engine makes 295 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Volkswagen Atlas and the Tesla Model Y 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:
$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
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$42,990
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact SUVs)
$58,979
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact SUVs)
$42,990 - $78,800
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:
1,544
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
15,034
# Good or Great Deals:
237
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$44,827
Price Range:
$39,977 - $51,617
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact SUVs)
$55,976
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact SUVs)
$44,827 - $62,714
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
435
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
14,767
# Good or Great Deals:
244
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%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$23,791
Depreciation %:
55.3%
Resale Value $:
$19,199
Residual Value %:
44.7%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Electric Compact SUVs)
67.2%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact SUVs)
53.3% - 68.2%
Volkswagen Atlas Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.4 / 10
Reliability:
5.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Tesla Model Y Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.2 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
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:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Tesla Model Y
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
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
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
128.3
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact SUVs)
4
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact SUVs)
1.4 - 128.3
Volkswagen 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 / 67Tesla Model Y Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
2 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
3 out of / 27Ranking
4 out of / 44Ranking
4 out of / 27Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 44Ranking
6 out of / 44Ranking
6 out of / 44Ranking
6 out of / 44Ranking
7 out of / 44Ranking
10 out of / 44Ranking
11 out of / 44Ranking
11 out of / 27Ranking
12 out of / 27Ranking
14 out of / 44Ranking
14 out of / 27Ranking
15 out of / 44Ranking
21 out of / 44Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Volkswagen Atlas Trim Levels
Peak Edition SE 4Motion, Peak Edition SEL 4Motion, SE, SE 4Motion, SEL 4Motion, SEL Premium R-Line 4Motion
Tesla Model Y Trim Levels
Base, Long Range, Performance
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:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 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:
TOP SAFETY PICK
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
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
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
295 hp
Torque:
309 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 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):
20 / 27 / 23
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
372 / 502 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Battery Size/Capacity :
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
260 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity:
67.6 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
9.4 hours (240V)
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
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
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
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:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
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
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.8 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54 inches
Cargo Space:
34.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
76.2 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4154 lbs
Width:
83.8 inches
Height:
64 inches
Length:
187 inches
Wheelbase:
113.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.8 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:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/45R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Gray
Platinum Gray Metallic
Silver
Silver Mist Metallic
White
Pure White
Blue
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Gray
Stealth Gray
Silver
Not available
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Red
Ultra Red
Interior Colors
Beige
Shetland Beige
Black
Titan Black
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
White
Black and White
