Compare the2025 Buick EnclaveVS 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

© 1999 - 2025Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2025/07/06

The Enclave has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Atlas doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Enclave achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volkswagen Atlas has not been tested.

The Enclave’s optional 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 Enclave 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, 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 front parking sensors.

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

	Enclave	Atlas
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	165	307
Neck Injury Risk	20.1%	30%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	2 lbs.	59 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	32/13 lbs.	67/229 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	234	277
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35.9%	39%
Neck Compression	48 lbs.	117 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Enclave is much safer than the Atlas:

	Enclave	Atlas
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	136	245
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE

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 Buick Enclave is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	Enclave	Atlas
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	113	144
Hip Force	518 lbs.	527 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	721 lbs.	800 lbs.

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

The Buick Enclave has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Atlas is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

Buick’s powertrain warranty covers the Enclave 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 46 percent more Buick dealers than there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’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 Enclave’s reliability 31 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 Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 77 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 118 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 7 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (328 vs. 269) and 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Buick Enclave is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	Enclave	Atlas
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Enclave FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Atlas FWD (20 city/27 hwy vs. 20 city/26 hwy).

The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Atlas (21.7 vs. 18.6 gallons).

The Enclave has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Atlas doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Enclave higher (5 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas (4). This means the Enclave produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Enclave stops much shorter than the Atlas:

	Enclave	Atlas
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	139 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the Atlas (255/55R20 vs. 245/60R18). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Atlas (275/45R22 vs. 265/45R21).

The Enclave’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Atlas SE/Peak Edition’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Atlas SE/Peak Edition. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line.

The Buick Enclave’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Volkswagen Atlas only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

The Enclave offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the Atlas (120.9 inches vs. 117.3 inches).

The Enclave Avenir AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Atlas SEL 4Motion pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Enclave’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Atlas’ (39 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Enclave has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (6.8 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Enclave to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Enclave uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Atlas doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Enclave uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Atlas doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Enclave has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.4 inches more third row hip room and 2.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the Atlas.

Cargo Capacity

The Enclave’s cargo area provides more volume than the Atlas.

	Enclave	Atlas
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	20.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.1 cubic feet	55.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	96.6 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Enclave’s optional second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Atlas doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 49% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 31st.

Ergonomics

The Enclave’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and 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.

The Enclave’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Atlas does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Enclave 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 Enclave’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 Buick Enclave has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Atlas SEL Premium.

The Enclave’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

See Available Inventory