The Nissan Pathfinder and Volkswagen Atlas are midsize SUVs with three rows of seating and the lofty driving place automotive consumers love. Every will be had in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) format, relying on whether or not you prioritize higher gasoline financial system or added grip in slippery situations.
Nonetheless contemporary from a complete redesign for the 2022 mannequin yr, the Pathfinder is fitted with a 3.5-liter V6 that provides it glorious towing functionality if that’s what you want out of your sport-ute.
In the meantime, the Atlas acquired a midcycle refresh for the 2024 mannequin yr that updates the outside styling, provides extra normal consolation touches, and sees a single new turbocharged 4-cylinder engine change the earlier mannequin’s alternative of a 4-cylinder or elective V6.
Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the Nissan Pathfinder and Volkswagen Atlas.
2025 Nissan Pathfinder

2024 mannequin proven
The 2025 Pathfinder has a beginning value of $38,460, together with the factory-to-dealer vacation spot charge. There at the moment are 5 trims to select from: S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum. For the brand new mannequin yr, SV and Rock Creek fashions get an influence liftgate normal.
Customary on the entry-level Pathfinder S is an 8-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite tv for pc radio, 4 USB ports, and tri-zone local weather management.
Pony up the $51,200 asking value of the Pathfinder Platinum, and also you get 20-inch alloys, heated and ventilated entrance seats, leather-based upholstery, a panoramic moonroof, head-up instrument show, and 13-speaker Bose audio system. All variants of the 2025 Pathfinder get pleasure from Nissan Upkeep Care, which incorporates as much as three scheduled oil adjustments for 2 years or 24,000 miles.
Nissan Pathfinder Highlights
Encompass-view digicam system: Folks love the added stretch-out area and cargo capability of a typical SUV. But most of us can dwell with out the effort that comes with squeezing one into comfortable parking spots. Serving to alleviate this frequent grievance is a surround-view parking digicam, which is normal on the Pathfinder SV and better trims.
Stowable second-row console: A detachable middle console resides between the Pathfinder’s elective second-row captain’s chairs. Want extra cargo area? Properly, right here’s your resolution. Desire simpler entry to the third row? Take away that console and stow it in a storage nook below the rear cargo flooring, and off you go. It is a handy and intelligent option to customise the inside area.
Nice for towing: When correctly outfitted, the Pathfinder has a most tow score of 6,000 kilos, 1,000 kilos greater than the Atlas’ greatest.
Fatigue-reducing ProPilot Help: Customary starting on the SV trim, ProPilot Help is a semi-autonomous driving assist that retains the Pathfinder centered in its lane of journey and manages acceleration, braking, and protected gaps between surrounding automobiles.
Learn our Nissan Pathfinder Knowledgeable Assessment or see 2025 Nissan Pathfinder fashions on the market close to you.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas


2024 mannequin proven
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas has a beginning value of $39,625, together with the vacation spot charge. Including all-wheel drive to the bottom mannequin prices an extra $1,900, equal to Nissan’s cost for upgrading the Pathfinder to all-wheel drive. In whole, the Atlas is obtainable in seven trims, and its value is aggressive with not solely the Pathfinder but additionally different rival midsize 3-row SUVs just like the Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, and Ford Explorer.
A variety-topping Atlas SEL Premium R-Line with all-wheel drive instructions $54,630 and contains bells and whistles like upmarket leather-based seating, a surround-view digicam, black exterior trim, 21-inch alloys, and a Harman Kardon sound system. New for the 2025 mannequin yr is wi-fi cellphone charging as normal gear throughout the lineup and the top-of-the-line SEL Premium R-Line will get improved seating with 4-way lumbar help and therapeutic massage capabilities.
Volkswagen Atlas Highlights
Spacious seating: The Atlas is among the roomiest midsize SUVs in its class. It has greater than sufficient headroom and legroom for adults seated in all three rows. Its 33.7 inches of third-row legroom is about 5 inches greater than the Pathfinder’s rearmost seats provide.
Expansive infotainment display screen: A 12-inch touchscreen positioned prominently within the middle of the sprint. Wi-fi smartphone connectivity and 6 USB-C ports are all included. It’s complemented by a configurable 10.25-inch digital instrument show, too.
A great deal of cargo area: We identified that Atlas holds an edge over the Pathfinder on the subject of legroom. It additionally wins when evaluating trunk area behind the third-row seats. You get 20.6 cubic toes within the VW versus 16.6 cubic toes within the Nissan.
Punchy turbocharged engine: Volkswagen simplified the Atlas by changing the outgoing mannequin’s two engine selections. Of their place is a turbocharged 4-cylinder with extra torque and higher gasoline financial system than the outgoing elective V6.
Learn our Volkswagen Atlas Knowledgeable Assessment or see 2025 Volkswagen Atlas fashions on the market close to you.
Similarities
There may be loads of overlap when evaluating the Pathfinder and Atlas. By way of pricing and have content material, these two carry out admirably and have related levels of straight-line efficiency and journey consolation. Gasoline mileage can be a toss-up, because the Pathfinder will get an EPA-rated 23 mpg mixed in a mixture of metropolis and freeway driving whereas the Atlas is available in simply behind it at 22 mpg mixed.
Conclusion
In the event you want adult-friendly rear seating and many cargo area as well, the Volkswagen Atlas takes the straightforward win. It merely has extra space inside than the Pathfinder. But we do love Nissan’s artistic detachable second-row console and its sliding center seats.
Let’s additionally not neglect the Pathfinder’s Rock Creek trim has a toughened-up suspension for off-road travels, plus it uncorks the Nissan’s most tow score. In the event you’re tremendous holding the third-row seats strictly for little tykes, the midsize SUV pendulum swings again in favor of the extra reasonably priced Nissan.
New 2025 Nissan Pathfinder Costs
New 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Costs
The Kelley Blue E book Truthful Buy Value for any particular person used automobile can range drastically in accordance with mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here mirror what consumers are at present paying for automobiles and automobiles in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s advised retail value (MSRP) quoted contains the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embody tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
| 2025 Nissan Pathfinder | 2025 Volkswagen Atlas | |
| In style 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 computerized | 8-speed computerized |
| Gasoline financial system MPG | 20 metropolis/27 freeway/23 mixed | 20 metropolis/26 freeway/22 mixed |
| Additionally Obtainable | 295-hp 3.5-liter V6 (Rock Creek), AWD | AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Primary Guarantee | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA General Security Ranking | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capability | 8 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 inches | 117.3 inches |
| General Size | 197.7 inches | 200.7 inches |
| Width | 77.9 inches | 78.3 inches |
| Top | 70.9 inches | 70.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.7 toes | 40.5 toes |
| Headroom, Entrance | 42.3 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 39.6 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Headroom, third Row | 37.8 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Legroom, Entrance | 44.3 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 35.5 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Legroom, third Row | 28.0 inches | 33.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 60.8 inches | 61.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 59.6 inches | 60.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, third Row | 58.4 inches | 54.9 inches |
| Cargo Quantity | 16.6 cubic toes | 20.6 cubic toes |
