Compare the2025 Hyundai PalisadeVS 2024 Volkswagen Atlas

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Palisade and Atlas have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Palisade has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Atlas’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Hyundai Palisade has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, the Hyundai Palisade is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volkswagen Atlas, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Palisade	Atlas
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-23 MPH	-10 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-28 MPH
37 MPH Low beams	-35 MPH	-2 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.4 sec	.6 sec

The Palisade’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Palisade and the Atlas 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 Hyundai Palisade is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	Palisade	Atlas
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	160	307
Neck Injury Risk	19%	30%
Neck Stress	161 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	42 lbs.	59 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	94/151 lbs.	67/229 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	39%
Neck Compression	43 lbs.	117 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 Hyundai Palisade is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	Palisade	Atlas
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	57
Hip Force	303 lbs.	345 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	189 lbs.	527 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	223	279
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	724 lbs.	800 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Palisade comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Atlas’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Palisade 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Palisade’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Atlas runs out after 100,000 miles.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Palisade for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the Atlas (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

There are over 29 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Palisade’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Palisade’s reliability 41 points higher than the Atlas.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 79 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen With 69 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Hyundai higher than Volkswagen.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 16 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The Palisade’s 3.8 DOHC V6 produces 22 more horsepower (291 vs. 269) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Hyundai Palisade is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	Palisade	Atlas
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.2 MPH	91.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Palisade HTRAC gets better fuel mileage than the Atlas Peak Edition 4Motion (19 city/24 hwy vs. 18 city/24 hwy).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Palisade higher (6 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas (3). This means the Palisade produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Palisade	Atlas
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	13.2 inches

The Palisade stops much shorter than the Atlas:

	Palisade	Atlas
60 to 0 MPH	118 feet	139 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

The Palisade has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Palisade offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Atlas doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Palisade Calligraphy HTRAC handles at .82 G’s, while the Atlas SEL 4Motion pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Palisade Calligraphy HTRAC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Atlas SEL 4Motion (27 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Palisade’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Atlas’ (38.7 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Palisade has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (7.9 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Palisade to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Palisade is 4 inches shorter than the Atlas, making the Palisade easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Palisade has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Atlas can only carry 7.

The Palisade has 2.4 inches more front legroom, 4.8 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear shoulder room and .3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Atlas.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Palisade’s middle and third row seats recline. The Atlas’ third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Palisade’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the Palisade Limited/Calligraphy/Night’s third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Atlas doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Palisade’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Atlas’ (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Night’s standard Easy Access Seat glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Palisade has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Palisade’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Atlas has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Palisade SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Night has standard heated front seats and second and third row heated seats also avaiable, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Volkswagen doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Atlas.

Standard air conditioned seats in the front and second seat rows keep the Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Night’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Atlas doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Palisade Calligraphy/Night has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Atlas.

The Palisade Calligraphy/Night’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Economic Advantages

The Palisade will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Palisade will retain 56.92% to 57.78% of its original price after five years, while the Atlas only retains 50.34% to 51.84%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Palisade is less expensive to operate than the Atlas because typical repairs cost much less on the Palisade than the Atlas, including $259 less for a water pump, $217 less for a muffler, $325 less for a starter, $135 less for fuel injection, $203 less for front struts and $437 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Palisade will be $849 to $2719 less than for the Volkswagen Atlas.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Palisade, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its May 2020 issue and they ranked the Hyundai Palisade Limited HTRAC five places higher than the Volkswagen Atlas SEL 4Motion.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Palisade third among upper midsize suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Atlas isn’t in the top three.