Compare the2024 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
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 Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Atlas and the Pathfinder 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 Nissan Pathfinder:

	Atlas	Pathfinder
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30%	31%
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	277	312
Neck Injury Risk	39%	45.1%
Neck Stress	129 lbs.	216 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	297/97 lbs.	236/309 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 Nissan Pathfinder:

	Atlas	Pathfinder
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	57	84
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	48 lbs.	138 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Pathfinder is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

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

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Pathfinder’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pathfinder.

Reliability

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Atlas’ reliability 41 points higher than the Pathfinder.

Engine

The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 270) than the Pathfinder Rock Creek’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the Pathfinder:

			MPG
Atlas
	AWD	SE 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/26 hwy
		SEL 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/25 hwy
Pathfinder
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	20 city/23 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Pathfinder Rock Creek 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 Pathfinder. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Brakes and Stopping

The Atlas stops shorter than the Pathfinder:

	Atlas	Pathfinder
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pathfinder (265/45R21 vs. 255/60R18).

The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pathfinder’s optional 50 series tires.

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

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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the Pathfinder (117.3 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Atlas 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the Pathfinder SL pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The design of the Volkswagen Atlas amounts to more than styling. The Atlas has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the Pathfinder (.34 to .355) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Atlas get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The Atlas has 6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Pathfinder (154 vs. 148).

The Atlas has .1 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room, .9 inches more rear shoulder room, .5 inches more third row headroom and 5.7 inches more third row legroom than the Pathfinder.

The front step up height for the Atlas is 1.8 inches lower than the Pathfinder (18” vs. 19.8”). The Atlas’ rear step up height is 1.8 inches lower than the Pathfinder’s (18” vs. 19.8”).

Cargo Capacity

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

	Atlas	Pathfinder
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	16.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	55.5 cubic feet	45 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	96.6 cubic feet	80.5 cubic feet

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

	Atlas	Pathfinder
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.8”/53”/85”	16”/44.4”/79.8”
Max Width	61.6”	58.5”
Min Width	45”	45.7”
Height	37.5”	33.3”

Servicing Ease

The Atlas uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pathfinder 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

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 Pathfinder can only close 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 Pathfinder’s 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 Pathfinder 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’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pathfinder’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Pathfinder 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’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Pathfinder SV/Rock Creek/SL/Platinum.

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 is only available on the Pathfinder SL/Platinum.

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. Only the Pathfinder SL/Platinum offers wireless charging.

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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Pathfinder isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Nissan Pathfinder by 42% during 2022.