2021 Volkswagen Atlas vs Honda Pilot

Volkswagen Atlas vs Honda Pilot

Are you looking for a new SUV for your family adventures? Both the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2021 Honda Pilot may seem like great choices. However, they each have something different to offer Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, IN, drivers.

To give you a good idea of which may be best for you, the Andy Mohr Volkswagen team has put together this 2021 VW Atlas vs. Honda Pilot comparison.


Volkswagen Atlas vs Honda Pilot: Performance and MPG

In an SUV of this size, we all want a bit of extra power. Luckily, you’re bound to have it in the VW Atlas and the Pilot, as each produces well over 200 horsepower.

In fact, these vehicles are nearly neck and neck with most of their performance abilities, even in fuel economy. The VW Atlas maintains an EPA-estimated 21 city and 24 highway MPG.1 The Honda Pilot, on the other hand, offers an EPA-estimated 20 city and 27 highway MPG. Either SUV offers the efficiency to help you out during those big road trips and daily work commutes.

However, the VW Atlas can offer slightly more torque than the Pilot. In the Volkswagen, you’ll have up to 266 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Honda will only reach up to 262 lb-ft.


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VW Performance Options

Volkswagen Atlas PerformanceWhile we’re on the topic of engines, drivers of the VW Atlas will have their choice between two engines. Meanwhile, Pilot drivers only have one engine. In addition to the standard 2.0L turbocharged engine of the VW Atlas, you can also choose the available 3.6L V6 engine to boost your performance.

With both SUVs offering available AWD systems, drivers can take on harsh weather conditions that may come their way. Taking performance one step further, both the VW Atlas and Honda Pilot have available drive modes to fully optimize their performance.

The Pilot utilizes the Intelligent Traction Management system, which comes with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. While these modes are helpful, what do you do when you want to head off the beaten path and experience an off-road adventure?

If you want extra versatility designed for your adventurous spirit, Volkswagen has provided VW Atlas drivers with 4MOTION® with Active Control, which comes with:

  • On-Road Mode
  • Off-Road Mode
  • Off-Road Custom Mode
  • Snow Mode

With the VW Atlas, not only will you be able to easily handle the road less traveled, but you can also design your own drive mode to improve your driving experience.  


VW Atlas vs Pilot: Interior 

Volkswagen Atlas InteriorWhether you’re driving to work or heading out of town for a weekend getaway, it’s important that you have enough infotainment technology in your car to keep you informed and entertained.

The 2021 VW Atlas comes standard with several helpful infotainment features, including Volkswagen Car-Net® and App-Connect. App-Connect provides easy mobile and media integration, so you can access all your favorite apps while on the go.

In the VW Atlas, you’ll also get a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, two USB-C ports, and a 6-speaker audio system. Additionally, you have the option of upgrading your technology features to an optional 8-inch touchscreen, three additional USB ports, and a 12-speaker Fender® Premium Audio System.

The Honda Pilot’s infotainment system is average in comparison. It comes with a small 5-inch LCD screen and one USB port. You can upgrade your Honda Pilot to obtain a larger display screen and more integrative features, but these still don’t measure up to the VW Atlas.

When upgrading to the available technology features of the Honda Pilot, drivers will simply gain an 8-inch touchscreen display and a 10-speaker audio system.

As you can see, the only way the two vehicles compare in terms of technology upgrades is with the 8-inch touchscreen. In most of the other ways, the VW Atlas pulls ahead.


2021 VW Atlas vs 2021 Honda Pilot: Interior Dimensions

Despite the Pilot having extra space to accommodate an eighth seat in their SUV, passengers may find that the VW Atlas offers more spacious interior dimensions:

2021 VW Atlas vs 2021 Honda Pilot: Dimensions

 

Headroom (front/second/third rows)

Legroom (front/second/third rows)

VW Atlas

41.3 in./40.4 in./38.3 in.

41.7 in./37.6 in./33.7 in.

Honda Pilot

40.1 in./40.2 in./38.9 in.

40.9 in./38.4 in./31.9 in.

In addition to having slightly more interior space, the VW Atlas has much more cargo capacity than the Honda Pilot. The Pilot has a maximum cargo capacity of 83.9 cubic feet.

The VW Atlas, on the other hand, adds over 10 cubic feet to that with its maximum cargo capacity of 96.8 cubic feet. When it’s time for family road trips, moving your eldest into a college dorm, or large shopping trips, you’ll be thankful for the extra cargo capacity of the VW Atlas.


Volkswagen vs Honda: Safety

Volkswagen Atlas SafetyOne of the core tenets of safe driving is stability. Without proper handling, you won’t have nearly as much protection on hazardous roads.

The VW Atlas comes with six standard stability-enhancing features to improve your handling. A few of those features include:

  • Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Anti-Slip Regulation
  • Engine Brake Assist

This suite of features maximizes your wheel grip, traction, and stopping power, even when the roads are slick. 

Vehicle Stability Assist™ with Traction Control is a standard feature in the 2021 Honda Pilot. Unfortunately, it lacks the added handling and braking features that make its competitor so effective.

Honda is well-known for its standard Honda Sensing® safety package. While these features work hard to give you that extra confidence boost behind the wheel, there are a handful of safety features you’ll find only on the VW Atlas—but not on the Honda Pilot. Two of these features are the Overhead View Camera (Area View) and the Volkswagen Car-Net® Security & Service features.

The Overhead View Camera is somewhat similar to the multi-angle rearview camera of the Honda Pilot in the sense that it offers a wide variety of rear angles to assist you when backing up. What makes the Overhead View Camera unique, though, is that it acts as a 360-degree camera for drivers.

Cameras are positioned all around the vehicle, creating a seamless 360-degree view to help see around obstacles.

With VW Car-Net® on board, you’ll receive mobile notifications to alert you of what’s happening around your VW Atlas. If you leave your available sunroof open and rain is in the forecast, you’ll receive a notification, so you can keep the inside of your SUV dry—as it was meant to be.

You can even be alerted if your vehicle was left unlocked. From the app, you can even remotely lock your doors!


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Which SUV Is Right for You?

When you’re looking for an SUV that offers heightened power along with excellent safety and infotainment features, the 2021 VW Atlas is the clear choice for Avon, Indianapolis, and Plainfield, Indiana, drivers.

Take the VW Atlas for a spin at Andy Mohr Volkswagen. Schedule your test drive today at our Volkswagen dealership today!


1 21 city/24 highway mpg (2021 Atlas 2.0L, 8-speed automatic transmission). EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition.


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