The Nissan Pathfinder and Volkswagen Atlas are midsize SUVs with three rows of seating and the lofty driving position car shoppers love. Each can be had in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) format, depending on whether you prioritize better fuel economy or added grip in slippery conditions.
Still fresh from a total redesign for the 2022 model year, the Pathfinder is fitted with a 3.5-liter V6 that gives it excellent towing capability if that’s what you need from your sport-ute.
Meanwhile, the Atlas received a midcycle refresh for the 2024 model year that updates the exterior styling, adds more standard comfort touches, and sees a single new turbocharged 4-cylinder engine replace the previous model’s choice of a 4-cylinder or optional V6.
Let’s take a closer look at the Nissan Pathfinder and Volkswagen Atlas.
2025 Nissan Pathfinder
2024 model shown
The 2025 Pathfinder has a starting price of $38,460, including the factory-to-dealer destination fee. There are now five trims to choose from: S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum. For the new model year, SV and Rock Creek models get a power liftgate standard.
Standard on the entry-level Pathfinder S is an 8-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, four USB ports, and tri-zone climate control.
Pony up the $51,200 asking price of the Pathfinder Platinum, and you get 20-inch alloys, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a panoramic moonroof, head-up instrument display, and 13-speaker Bose audio system. All variants of the 2025 Pathfinder enjoy Nissan Maintenance Care, which includes up to three scheduled oil changes for two years or 24,000 miles.
Nissan Pathfinder Highlights
Surround-view camera system: People love the added stretch-out space and cargo capacity of a typical SUV. Yet most of us can live without the hassle that comes with squeezing one into snug parking spots. Helping alleviate this common complaint is a surround-view parking camera, which is standard on the Pathfinder SV and higher trims.
Stowable second-row console: A removable center console resides between the Pathfinder’s optional second-row captain’s chairs. Need more cargo space? Well, here’s your solution. Prefer easier access to the third row? Remove that console and stow it in a storage nook under the rear cargo floor, and off you go. This is a convenient and clever way to customize the interior space.
Great for towing: When properly equipped, the Pathfinder has a maximum tow rating of 6,000 pounds, 1,000 pounds more than the Atlas’ best.
Fatigue-reducing ProPilot Assist: Standard beginning on the SV trim, ProPilot Assist is a semi-autonomous driving aid that keeps the Pathfinder centered in its lane of travel and manages acceleration, braking, and safe gaps between surrounding vehicles.
Read our Nissan Pathfinder Expert Review or see 2025 Nissan Pathfinder models for sale near you.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas
2024 model shown
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has a starting price of $39,625, including the destination fee. Adding all-wheel drive to the base model costs an additional $1,900, equal to Nissan’s charge for upgrading the Pathfinder to all-wheel drive. In total, the Atlas is offered in seven trims, and its price is competitive with not only the Pathfinder but also other rival midsize 3-row SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, and Ford Explorer.
A range-topping Atlas SEL Premium R-Line with all-wheel drive commands $54,630 and includes bells and whistles like upmarket leather seating, a surround-view camera, black exterior trim, 21-inch alloys, and a Harman Kardon sound system. New for the 2025 model year is wireless phone charging as standard equipment across the lineup and the top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line gets improved seating with 4-way lumbar support and massage functions.
Volkswagen Atlas Highlights
Spacious seating: The Atlas is one of the roomiest midsize SUVs in its class. It has more than enough headroom and legroom for adults seated in all three rows. Its 33.7 inches of third-row legroom is about five inches more than the Pathfinder’s rearmost seats offer.
Expansive infotainment screen: A 12-inch touchscreen positioned prominently in the center of the dash. Wireless smartphone connectivity and six USB-C ports are all included. It’s complemented by a configurable 10.25-inch digital instrument display, too.
Loads of cargo space: We pointed out that Atlas holds an edge over the Pathfinder when it comes to legroom. It also wins when comparing trunk space behind the third-row seats. You get 20.6 cubic feet in the VW versus 16.6 cubic feet in the Nissan.
Punchy turbocharged engine: Volkswagen simplified the Atlas by replacing the outgoing model’s two engine choices. In their place is a turbocharged 4-cylinder with more torque and better fuel economy than the outgoing optional V6.
Read our Volkswagen Atlas Expert Review or see 2025 Volkswagen Atlas models for sale near you.
Similarities
There is plenty of overlap when comparing the Pathfinder and Atlas. In terms of pricing and feature content, these two perform admirably and have similar degrees of straight-line performance and ride comfort. Fuel mileage is also a toss-up, as the Pathfinder gets an EPA-rated 23 mpg combined in a mix of city and highway driving while the Atlas comes in just behind it at 22 mpg combined.
Conclusion
If you need adult-friendly rear seating and lots of cargo space to boot, the Volkswagen Atlas takes the easy win. It simply has more space inside than the Pathfinder. Yet we do love Nissan’s creative removable second-row console and its sliding middle seats.
Let’s also not forget the Pathfinder’s Rock Creek trim has a toughened-up suspension for off-road travels, plus it uncorks the Nissan’s maximum tow rating. If you’re fine keeping the third-row seats strictly for little tykes, the midsize SUV pendulum swings back in favor of the more affordable Nissan.
New 2025 Nissan Pathfinder 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 vehicles and 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.
| 2025 Nissan Pathfinder | 2025 Volkswagen Atlas | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter V6 | Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 284 hp @ 6,400 rpm | 269 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 259 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm | 273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 20 city/27 highway/23 combined | 20 city/26 highway/22 combined |
| Also Available | 295-hp 3.5-liter V6 (Rock Creek), AWD | 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 Rating | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 inches | 117.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 197.7 inches | 200.7 inches |
| Width | 77.9 inches | 78.3 inches |
| Height | 70.9 inches | 70.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.7 feet | 40.5 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.6 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | 37.8 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 44.3 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 35.5 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | 28.0 inches | 33.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 60.8 inches | 61.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 59.6 inches | 60.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | 58.4 inches | 54.9 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 16.6 cubic feet | 20.6 cubic feet |