Compared: 2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2022 Honda Pilot
Between these spacious three-row, mid-size crossovers, Volkswagen offers better affordability and tech, while the Honda has more seats and a more efficient V6 engine.
Volkswagen | Honda
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The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Honda Pilot are both three-row crossovers, each offering plenty of passenger and cargo room. But although the vehicles are similar, they have different strengths. For example, the Pilot delivers a more fuel-efficient powertrain, while the Atlas can better squeeze into a budget — and also packs some cool tech.
Honda
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2022 Honda Pilot: Price
At about $35,000, the front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder 2022 Volkswagen Atlas SE undercuts the Pilot on price.Those looking for more power can opt for the SE with Technology model, which comes with a V6 engine and costs just over $41,000. Upgrading to all-wheel drive (AWD) with either engine is an extra charge. The fully loaded SEL Premium R-Line model with the V6 engine, AWD, and second-row captain's chairs costs nearly $53,000.
The 2022 Honda Pilot starts at around $38,000, including the destination charge, and comes with one engine option: a 3.5-liter V6. So when compared with the V6 Atlas, the Pilot is actually more affordable. AWD is an additional $2,000, and Honda also offers a few specialty trims, including the rugged-looking TrailSport for $45,000 and the fully loaded Black Edition for around $51,000.
Honda
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2022 Honda Pilot: Features
Every Atlas comes with a standard digital gauge cluster and wireless support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. This tech is offered on the Honda Pilot, but Android Auto and CarPlay both require a USB connection. The Atlas also comes standard with leatherette seats, and SEL Premium R-Line models feature genuine leather on the front two rows. All trims of the Atlas come with seating for seven, though for an additional charge, shoppers can opt for second-row captain's chairs on everything by the base SE trim. That option reduces seating capacity to six, however.
The Pilot Sport comes standard with cloth seats for eight passengers. All other versions get leather-trimmed upholstery, and the Pilot Elite and Black Edition come standard with second-row captain's chairs, reducing the seat count to seven.
Every Pilot comes with three-zone climate control and a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance equipment, including lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. All of those features are only available on higher trims of the Atlas.
Volkswagen
2022 Volkswagen Atlas vs. 2022 Honda Pilot: Fuel economy
The most fuel-efficient example of the VW Atlas is the front-wheel-drive, 235-hp four-cylinder model, which gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg. Models with the 267-hp V6 are rated for 20 mpg. AWD versions see a drop of 1 mpg in each category.
Despite having a more powerful 280-hp V6, the Honda Pilot is about as efficient as the four-cylinder Atlas. Front-wheel-drive models return 23 mpg, while AWD models reduce those numbers by 1 mpg. The off-road-oriented TrailSport model drops an additional mile per gallon on the highway, where it's rated at 21 mpg.
