2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Honda Pilot

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in Canada in several trims, including Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, and Black Edition. The Black Edition, which was evaluated in the U.S., featured distinctive black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, it offered black leather seats with red perforation accents, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting, creating a unique aesthetic. While the Pilot's rugged design was more suited for suburban environments, its interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials. However, the digital driver display and infotainment system appeared dated, lacking a significant "wow factor" despite competitive technology.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas was offered in Canada in four trims: Comfortline, Peak Edition, Highline, and Execline. The Execline trim, tested in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, showcased a chiseled, muscular appearance with polished aluminum detailing and sizable 21-inch wheels. The interior exuded a premium feel with diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood. The Atlas's digital instrumentation and large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience, although the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and stereo volume were less satisfying to use, especially in colder conditions.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the Pilot to tow up to 2,268 kilograms. It featured multiple driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The Pilot's AWD system offered torque vectoring, with up to 70 percent of engine output directed to a single rear wheel. While the V6 provided good acceleration, the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was less impressive, with city driving averaging 15.9 litres per 100 kilometres. The Pilot's handling was predictable, though an adaptive-damping suspension system could have improved ride quality on undulating roads.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial concerns about its capability in an eight-passenger SUV, the engine proved refined and satisfying for daily driving tasks. The Atlas's fuel economy was 15.2 litres per 100 kilometres in urban conditions and 12.3 L/100 km overall. However, the ride quality was less than ideal, with the suspension feeling brittle over road imperfections. The Atlas's handling was predictable, with Sport mode enhancing the driving experience, though excessive body motions detracted from ride comfort.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, offering three rows of comfortable seating and thoughtful storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat's limited adjustment options were a drawback. The second-row seats were roomy, with a removable centre section for added versatility. The third row was habitable for adults, though not particularly comfortable. The Pilot's cargo space was generous, with 635 litres behind the third row and up to 3,219 litres with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas shone in form and function, with a spacious interior and comfortable third-row seating. The Execline model's front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, though the leather felt slightly stiff. The second-row bench seat offered ample space for three adults, with a proper backrest angle and climate control panel. The third-row seat provided adequate leg support, and storage space was commendable throughout the cabin. The Atlas offered 583 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,735 litres with the second row folded.

The 2025 Honda Pilot's technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens compared to rivals. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the wireless CarPlay function was problematic, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent. The Pilot's CabinTalk feature allowed the driver to communicate with passengers over the stereo speakers, while a small head-up display met basic technology expectations.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used VW Group's MIB3 operating system, accessible through a 12-inch touchscreen display. The lack of traditional knobs and buttons made the system less user-friendly, and the native digital voice assistant was unreliable. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided a more satisfying experience, with the Atlas Execline's Harman Kardon audio system delivering impressive sound. The MIB3 system suffered from user-experience glitches, making smartphone integration platforms a preferable option.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came equipped with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to respond appropriately in traffic, and the lane-centring assist system affected steering feel. Despite these issues, the Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, receiving a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured standard IQ.Drive driver assistance features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, and Travel Assist. The Atlas also offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a rear cross-traffic alert system. The IQ.Drive systems were accurate and trustworthy, with occasional false lane-departure warnings. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick.