2027 Volkswagen Atlas: Competitor Benchmarking and Detailed Specs

Midsize Three-Row SUV Market Overview

Choosing a three-row family SUV requires carefully assessing essential factors such as cabin dimensions, seating capacity, modern infotainment tech, and fuel performance. The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas goes head-to-head against established midsize contenders including the Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade, Subaru Ascent, and Honda Pilot.

Prepared by the specialists at Volkswagen Brandon, this technical overview compares key specifications across interior sizing, cabin amenities, and fuel efficiency ratings to help guide your purchase decision.

Turns out you can have it all,
and fit it all, in the 2027 Atlas
STANDARD AVAILABLE NOT AVAILABLE
2027 Volkswagen Atlas 2027 Kia Telluride 2027 Hyundai Palisade 2027 Subaru Ascent 2026 Honda Pilot
Fits your family
Wireless charging*
3rd row legroom 34.1″ 32.1″ 32.1″ 31.7″ 32.5″
Cargo volume (cu. ft.)**
Behind 1st row / 2nd row / 3rd row		 95.4 / 55.9 / 21.2 89.3 / 48.7 / 22.3 86.7 / 46.3 / 19.1 75.6 / 43.5 / 17.8 87 / 48.5 / 18.6
2nd row ventilated seats
Fits your style
Touchscreen size 12.9″ – 15″ 12.3″ 12.3″ 11.6″ 12.3″
Ventilated front seats
Massaging front seats
Real wood decor
Fits your wallet
MPG***
City / Highway / Combined		 FWD – (22 / 29 / 25)
AWD – (20 / 27 / 23)		 FWD – (20 / 26 / 22)
AWD – (18 / 24 / 20)		 FWD – (19 / 26 / 22)
AWD – (18 / 24 / 20)		 FWD – N/A
AWD – (19 / 26 / 22)		 FWD – (19 / 27 / 22)
AWD – (19 / 25 / 21)

Based on manufacturers’ data available at time of publication.

*Wireless charging requires compatible device.

**With seats folded.

***22 city/29 highway/25 combined mpg (2027 Atlas 2.0L FWD, 8-speed automatic transmission) and 20 city/27 highway/23 combined (2027 Atlas 2.0L AWD, 8-speed automatic transmission). EPA estimates. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition. Comparison excludes Hybrid vehicles.

Maximum cargo volume

Cubic feet behind the first row, seats folded

  • 2027 Volkswagen Atlas
    95.4 cu ft
  • 2027 Kia Telluride
    89.3 cu ft
  • 2026 Honda Pilot
    87.0 cu ft
  • 2027 Hyundai Palisade
    86.7 cu ft
  • 2027 Subaru Ascent
    75.6 cu ft

Third-row legroom

Inches of legroom for third-row passengers

  • 2027 Volkswagen Atlas
    34.1″
  • 2026 Honda Pilot
    32.5″
  • 2027 Kia Telluride
    32.1″
  • 2027 Hyundai Palisade
    32.1″
  • 2027 Subaru Ascent
    31.7″

Based on manufacturers’ data available at time of publication.

Interior Comforts and Seating Upgrades

Standard and available interior features show notable variations across class rivals:

  • Front-Row Seating Options: Ventilated front seats are standard on the Atlas, but remain optional on all four rival models. Front seat massagers are available on the Atlas, Telluride, and Palisade, but are unavailable on the Pilot and Ascent.
  • Second-Row Seat Cooling: Ventilated second-row seating is available on the Atlas, Telluride, and Palisade, while the Pilot and Ascent do not offer this feature.
  • Cabin Trim Accents: Authentic real wood interior trim is standard equipment on the Atlas and optional on the Palisade, but omitted entirely from the Telluride, Pilot, and Ascent lineups.
  • Third-Row Seating Space: With 34.1 inches of third-row legroom, the Atlas outpaces the Honda Pilot (32.5 inches), Kia Telluride (32.1 inches), Hyundai Palisade (32.1 inches), and Subaru Ascent (31.7 inches).

Display Screens and Tech Integration

Infotainment touchscreen size highlights key technological distinctions among rivals:

  • Volkswagen Atlas Setup: Features a central display screen measuring between 12.9 and 15.0 inches, depending on the trim level.
  • Competing Screen Sizes: The Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, and Honda Pilot integrate 12.3-inch displays, while the Subaru Ascent uses an 11.6-inch screen.

EPA-Estimated Fuel Economy

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 2027 Volkswagen Atlas vs. competitors
Model FWD AWD
2027 Volkswagen Atlas2.0L Turbo 25COMBINED22 city / 29 hwy 23COMBINED20 city / 27 hwy
2027 Kia Telluride 22COMBINED20 city / 26 hwy 20COMBINED18 city / 24 hwy
2027 Hyundai Palisade 22COMBINED19 city / 26 hwy 20COMBINED18 city / 24 hwy
2027 Subaru Ascent Not offered 22COMBINED19 city / 26 hwy
2026 Honda Pilot 22COMBINED19 city / 27 hwy 21COMBINED19 city / 25 hwy

EPA estimates for non-hybrid configurations. Your mileage will vary and depends on several factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition.

Decision Factors

Every crossover in this three-row competitive group brings unique strengths. For drivers focused on maximizing overall cargo capacity, generous rear passenger space, standard front seat ventilation, and leading EPA fuel efficiency, the 2027 Volkswagen Atlas stands out as a top contender.