Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Outlander doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Atlas and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Volkswagen Atlas weighs 452 to 1019 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander.

There are almost 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas’ warranty.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Outlander’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Atlas’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 54 more horsepower (235 vs. 181) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 95 more horsepower (276 vs. 181) and 85 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 181) than the Outlander’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas V6 is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander:

	Atlas	Outlander
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	8.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.6 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.8 MPH	84.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Atlas’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Atlas has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (18.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Outlander (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line has standard 21-inch wheels. The Outlander’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Atlas has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Atlas has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Outlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Outlander doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 10.8 inches longer than on the Outlander (117.3 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 4.3 inches wider in the front and 4.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

The Atlas’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.1% to 44.9%) than the Outlander’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Atlas more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

For excellent aerodynamics, the Atlas has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Atlas has 28.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander (153.7 vs. 125.5).

The Atlas has .7 inches more front headroom, 4.2 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear hip room, 4.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.8 inches more third row headroom, 15 inches more third row legroom, 3 inches more third row hip room and 3.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

	Atlas	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	11.7 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	55.5 cubic feet	33.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	96.8 cubic feet	79.7 cubic feet

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Atlas. The Outlander doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander is limited to 2000 pounds. The Atlas offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Atlas uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Atlas and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Atlas is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Atlas’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Outlander ES’ standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Outlander doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Outlander doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Atlas’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Atlas SEL Premium keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Atlas offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Atlas SEL Premium’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost two to one during 2022.