2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Honda Passport

The 2024 Honda Passport retained much of its familiar design, despite Honda's recent updates to other models like the Civic and Accord. The Passport's exterior, with its upright grille and squared-off corners, echoed previous-generation designs, offering a rugged yet somewhat understated appearance. The TrailSport trim, tested in Canada, featured all-terrain tires and standard roof rails, enhancing its adventurous look. However, the faux skid plates and lack of recovery points suggested more style than substance. Inside, the Passport maintained a utilitarian design with physical controls and an 8-inch touchscreen. The TrailSport trim added black leather upholstery with orange stitching, providing a simple yet functional interior.

In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas offered a more upscale and muscular appearance, particularly in the Execline trim. With polished aluminum detailing, light bars, and 21-inch wheels, the Atlas exuded a refined presence. The Mountain Lake Blue exterior resisted dirt, maintaining its polished look. Inside, the Atlas continued its premium feel with diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood. The digital instrumentation and large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience, although the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and volume were less satisfying to use. Overall, the Atlas presented a sophisticated and inviting environment.

The 2024 Honda Passport was equipped with a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided adequate acceleration for its size. The Passport's torque-vectoring iVTM4 AWD system and traction-management settings enhanced its off-road capabilities, particularly in the TrailSport trim with its wider tracks and tuned suspension. However, the Passport's fuel economy was less impressive, rated at 12.5 L/100 km in the city and 11.3 L/100 km combined. Despite some road noise at highway speeds, the Passport's steering was well-balanced and accurate, offering a pleasant driving experience.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. While initially seeming underpowered for an eight-passenger SUV, the engine proved refined and capable, especially when utilizing the generous torque curve. The Atlas's eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion AWD system contributed to its performance. However, the ride quality was less than ideal, with a brittle suspension and excessive body motions at highway speeds. Fuel economy was also a concern, with the Atlas returning 15.2 L/100 km in city conditions and 12.3 L/100 km overall during testing.

The 2024 Honda Passport excelled in cargo capacity, offering 1,430 litres of space behind the rear seats and expanding to 2,854 litres with the rear seats folded. This made it the cargo capacity leader in its segment. The Passport comfortably accommodated five adults, with ample storage and cupholders throughout the cabin. The front-seat environment featured a redesigned centre console for increased storage, although it felt less airy. Overall, the Passport provided a practical and spacious interior for those prioritizing cargo space.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas shone in passenger comfort, particularly with its third-row seating. The Execline model's front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, offering excellent support. The second-row bench seat provided ample space for three adults, while the third-row seat was easily accessible and comfortable for longer trips. The Atlas offered 583 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,735 litres with the second-row folded. While slightly less accommodating than some competitors, the Atlas's interior was well-designed for passenger comfort and storage.

The 2024 Honda Passport featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which felt small compared to competitors. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a wireless charging pad. However, the system's navigation display was occasionally intrusive, and the seven-speaker audio system lacked depth. Audiophiles might prefer other options with more advanced sound systems.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas utilized VW's MIB3 operating system on a 12-inch touchscreen display. While the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the lack of traditional controls and a reliable voice assistant made it less user-friendly. The Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound quality, but the MIB3's glitches and confusing interface detracted from the overall experience. Pairing a smartphone for navigation and music streaming was recommended for a more satisfying experience.

The 2024 Honda Passport came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Despite these features, the Passport received mixed crash test ratings, with an "Acceptable" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it fell short in some specific tests.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured the IQ.Drive suite of driver assistance features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. These systems provided comprehensive safety coverage, with adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert as standard. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS "Top Safety Pick," although updated ratings for 2025 were not available.