Although they don’t have the sales numbers of the bigger names in the midsize 3-row SUV class, the Subaru Ascent and Volkswagen Atlas are strong contenders in their own right. They’re the biggest SUVs that their respective brands offer and both do a nice job encapsulating their brands’ personalities.
Let’s take a closer look at these family SUVs and see which is better for you.
2025 Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent is Subaru’s biggest and most family-friendly SUV. It does a great job packaging the rugged capability and charming personality of the Subaru brand into a practical 3-row SUV. Pricing starts at $40,330.
Subaru Ascent Highlights:
Standard all-wheel drive (AWD): Like every Subaru SUV, every Ascent comes standard with all-wheel drive, making it better than most of its class for moderate off-road driving and traversing snowy roads.
IIHS Top Safety Pick+: The Atlas gets good safety ratings, but the Subaru Ascent gets the coveted Top Safety Pick+ award, the highest honor from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).
Longer powertrain warranty: The 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty coverage is longer than what you get with the Volkswagen Atlas, giving the owner a little extra peace of mind.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Ascent models for sale near you.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas
In some midsize SUVs, the third row is an afterthought not suitable for anyone over four feet tall. However, the Volkswagen Atlas has third-row seating a family can actually use every day. Its almost minivan-like convenience and space make it one of the best family haulers in its class. Pricing starts at $39,625.
Volkswagen Atlas Highlights:
Roomier interior: The Volkswagen Atlas has one of the biggest interiors in the midsize SUV class. Compared to the Subaru, the VW has an extra two inches of third-row legroom and 28 percent more max cargo room.
Digital Cockpit Pro: One of our favorite gauge clusters, it’s a 10.25-inch fully configurable display that can be customized to show everything you want to see and nothing you don’t.
Longer basic warranty: Although Subaru has the better powertrain warranty, Volkswagen has longer bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage of 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Atlas models for sale.
Similarities
These are both midsize 3-row SUVs and the biggest SUVs in their respective brands with similar performing powertrains and identical mpg numbers. They’re also both decorated with impressive safety scores.
Pricing
New 2025 Subaru Ascent Prices
New 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Prices
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors.
The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Subaru Ascent vehicles and New 2025 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership.
These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Subaru Ascent | 2025 Volkswagen Atlas | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.4-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 260 hp @ 5,600 rpm | 269 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 277 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm | 273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT, FWD | 8-speed automatic, AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 20 city/26 highway/22 combined | 20 city/26 highway/22 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 113.8 inches | 117.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 196.8 inches | 200.7 inches |
| Width | 76.0 inches | 78.3 inches |
| Height | 71.6 inches | 70.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.0 feet | 41.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 41.2 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.0 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 36.2 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.2 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.6 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 31.7 inches | 33.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.1 inches | 61.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 60.3 inches | 60.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 57 inches | 54.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 17.8/43.5/75.6 cubic feet | 20.6/55.5/96.6 cubic feet |
Conclusion
Unsurprisingly, the Subaru Ascent is the more rugged and capable off-roader between these two. It’s the one to get if you’ll actually take your family on off-road adventures. However, for everyday family-hauling duty, the extra space in the Volkswagen Atlas makes it a winner if practicality is your top priority.