2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the 2013 Volkswagen CrossBlue concept. New lighting elements, including light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover, were added. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, part of the new LED headlights, gave the Atlas a fresh "face" with American swagger. At the rear, taillights blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. New wheel designs were introduced across all trim levels, with the SEL Premium R-Line featuring 21-inch wheels and sportier styling. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering an outdoorsy flavor with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique colors like Avocado Green and Pure Gray.

Inside, the Atlas received a revised look, focusing on the center of the cabin. The infotainment touchscreen was repositioned, and the shifter was reduced to a toggle, creating more functional space. Volkswagen aimed to make the interior feel upscale with improved fake wood trim and new weaved plastic trim. Leatherette seats were standard, with leather upholstery available on SEL models. The SEL Premium R-Line featured diamond stitching, but some materials seemed more fitting for a base model. Overall, the interior offered functionality but lacked cohesion with the truck-like exterior.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in several trims, including the Black Edition, which we evaluated in Southern California. This edition featured black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, black leather seats with red perforation accents and red ambient lighting created a unique atmosphere. The cabin also included red contrast stitching and embossed "Black Edition" logos on the head restraints and floor mats. While the Black Edition's custom look was more suited for suburban environments, the Pilot's overall design aimed for ruggedness, especially in the TrailSport trim with added off-roading capability.

The Pilot's interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, though the digital driver display and infotainment system appeared dated. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite some technological shortcomings, the Pilot offered practical storage solutions and a comfortable cabin. However, the lack of a significant "wow factor" within the interior might have left some consumers wanting more.

For 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas reduced its powertrain options to a single 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, part of VW's EA888 series, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Atlas was quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models reaching 60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite the improvements, the Atlas remained a family hauler, prioritizing comfort over performance. The ride quality was consistent with previous models, and the 4Motion AWD system was designed mainly for pavement, lacking off-road capabilities. The Atlas maintained a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated for 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This allowed most Pilot models to tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Pilot offered various driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The AWD system provided hill descent control and torque vectoring, enhancing off-road capabilities. While the V6 delivered good acceleration, the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 20 mpg on evaluation. The Pilot's handling was predictable, with a compliant suspension benefiting typical driving situations. The TrailSport trim confirmed the Pilot's ability to tackle challenging terrain, though it wasn't designed for serious overlanding.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features, including a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats on the base SE trim. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate, while leather upholstery and heated second-row seats became standard on the SEL. The Atlas accommodated seven passengers with a three-seat second-row bench, which could be replaced by captain's chairs on higher trims. The interior provided competitive headroom and legroom across all rows, with the third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space varied from 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, offering three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat lacked adjustability, which could be a drawback for long trips. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable center section for easy access to the third row. The third row was suitable for adults for short durations, while younger children fit comfortably. The Pilot featured a triple-zone automatic climate control system, heated second-row seats, and a panoramic sunroof. Cargo space ranged from 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row to 86.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas included more standard tech features, such as a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with six USB-C ports. A head-up display was available on higher trims, and the premium audio system was upgraded to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics, though haptic touchpads for controls were less intuitive.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the wireless CarPlay function was problematic, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent. The 12-speaker Bose audio system was adequate but not exceptional. The Pilot included a CabinTalk feature for communication with rear passengers and a small head-up display, meeting basic technology expectations.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing. The IIHS hadn't rated the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received high scores. The Atlas included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included park assist and a surround-view camera system on higher trims.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition had parking sensors and a multi-view camera system with TrailWatch technology. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems had some performance issues. The Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, with the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA giving it a five-star overall rating.