Compare the2024 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 GMC Acadia

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
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 Acadia 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas offers optional Maneuver Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Acadia doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Atlas and Acadia have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Atlas has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Acadia’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Atlas and the Acadia 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	Atlas	Acadia
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	277	319
Neck Injury Risk	39%	43%
Neck Stress	129 lbs.	203 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the GMC Acadia:

	Atlas	Acadia
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	57	125
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	48 lbs.	156 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	144	276
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	527 lbs.	799 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches
HIC	279	381

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Atlas is 1.3% to 1.5% less likely to roll over than the Acadia.

The Volkswagen Atlas achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Acadia is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The Atlas comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Acadia’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Acadia’s (7/100,000 vs. 6/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. GMC only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Acadia.

Reliability

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

Engine

The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 41 more horsepower (269 vs. 228) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the Acadia’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 2 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 271) than the Acadia’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Acadia 3.6 DOHC V6 FWD (20 city/27 hwy vs. 19 city/27 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Acadia with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Acadia. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Atlas’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Acadia:

	Atlas	Acadia
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	12.6 inches

The Atlas stops shorter than the Acadia:

	Atlas	Acadia
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Acadia (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Acadia (265/45R21 vs. 255/65R17).

The Atlas SE/Peak Edition’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Acadia SLE/SLT’s standard 65 series tires. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Acadia’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas SE/Peak Edition has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Acadia AT4. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Acadia.

Suspension and Handling

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 Acadia doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the Acadia (117.3 inches vs. 112.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 2.5 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Acadia.

The Atlas’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (55% to 45%) than the Acadia’s (56.5% to 43.5%). This gives the Atlas more stable handling and braking.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the Acadia SLT AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Passenger Space

The Atlas has 10.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Acadia (154 vs. 143.8).

The Atlas has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 5.3 inches more rear hip room, 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.1 inches more third row headroom, 4 inches more third row legroom, 2.2 inches more third row hip room and .6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Acadia.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Atlas	Acadia
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	12.8 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	55.5 cubic feet	41.7 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	96.6 cubic feet	79 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the Acadia’s liftover is 32 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the Acadia’s in every dimension:

	Atlas	Acadia
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.8”/53”/85”	18.5”/48”/83”
Max Width	61.6”	50”
Min Width	45”	42.5”
Height	37.5”	33”

The Atlas has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Acadia doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

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

Towing

The Atlas’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Acadia’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the GMC Acadia is only 4000 pounds. The Atlas offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard trailer stability control on the Atlas uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Acadia doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

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 Acadia’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes 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 Acadia can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Acadia’s 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 Acadia doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas’ headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Acadia’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

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

The Atlas has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Acadia.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Acadia.

The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’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 Acadia doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Atlas owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Atlas will cost $435 less than the Acadia over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Atlas is less expensive to operate than the Acadia because it costs $127 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Atlas than the Acadia, including $51 less for front brake pads and $49 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its August 2017 issue and they ranked the Volkswagen Atlas 4Motion higher than the GMC Acadia Denali AWD.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the GMC Acadia by 44% during 2023.