VW Atlas vs Subaru Ascent
- Performance: The 2025 Subaru Ascent brings 260 horsepower through its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It's a respectable figure, but the 2025 VW Atlas raises the bar with 269 horsepower and smoother highway performance. Towing muscle tells the same story. The Ascent base trim tops out at 2,000 pounds. Every VW Atlas model pulls up to 5,000 pounds. Traction technology also leaps forward with 4MOTION® all-wheel drive (AWD) and Active Control in the VW Atlas. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard but lacks the adaptability of 4MOTION® drive modes.
- Cargo Space: Measurements show the difference. The Subaru Ascent offers 44 cubic feet behind the second row and 76 with the second and third rows folded. The VW Atlas allows 56 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 97 cubic feet total. That's an additional 12 to 21 cubic feet of space that can hold more gear, groceries, or luggage through Pasadena, MD.
- Interior: Entry-level trims on the 2025 VW Atlas include V-Tex leatherette seating, heated and ventilated front seats, and Climatronic® three-zone climate control. The Ascent requires top trims to unlock ventilated seats. Even though both models have tri-zone climate control, Subaru's system doesn't match the VW Atlas model's responsive temps or precision airflow. A 12-inch center display comes standard on every 2025 VW Atlas over the Ascent's 11.6-inch vertical screen, which doesn't have the same clarity or horizontal viewing abilities.