2026 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 was often praised for its elegant design, which stood out in the small SUV class. Its graceful curves and lack of sharp angles gave it a sophisticated appearance that was reminiscent of an entry-level luxury SUV. Despite not having been redesigned since 2017, the CX-5's design remained timeless and appealing. Inside, the CX-5 offered a refined interior with high-quality materials and a layout that balanced traditional and modern elements. While it lacked the large infotainment screens of its competitors, the physical buttons and knobs provided a user-friendly experience. The interior was reminiscent of older Acura or Lexus models, offering a special feel compared to similarly priced crossovers.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, particularly in the Execline trim, exuded an expensive look that bordered on luxury crossover territory. Starting from the base Comfortline trim, the Atlas featured full-LED lighting, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, and a sculpted silhouette that aged well since its 2018 debut. The Peak Edition added rugged elements like all-terrain tires and blackout trim pieces. The Execline trim boasted 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels and R-Line design elements. The interior of the Atlas was equally impressive, with quilted diamond-pattern leather seats and metallic accents creating a warm and inviting environment. However, the infotainment system, despite its attractive design, was criticized for being frustrating to use, with touch-sensitive controls that were difficult to operate at night.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The base engine accelerated to 96 km/h in about 8 seconds, while the turbocharged model achieved this in approximately 6 seconds. The CX-5 was praised for its sporty driving dynamics, with a suspension that minimized body roll and provided a confident driving experience. The ride quality was slightly firm, but the cabin remained quiet, filtering out wind and road noise effectively.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The engine's wide torque band made the Atlas feel capable, although initial acceleration was not particularly quick. Volkswagen claimed a 0-100 km/h time of roughly eight seconds for the AWD Atlas. The Atlas offered a Drive Mode Select system with various options, including Sport mode, which enhanced throttle response. Fuel consumption was recorded at 10.7 litres per 100 kilometres during testing. The Atlas's ride quality was criticized for being harsh, particularly with the Execline model's 21-inch wheels, but the steering and brakes provided a confident driving experience.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5's interior design and refinement were commendable, but it fell short in terms of practicality and space compared to some rivals. While rear headroom was adequate, competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage offered slightly more. The CX-5 provided more rear legroom than the RAV4 but less than the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. Cargo capacity behind the rear seats was 871 litres, expandable to 1,680 litres with the rear seats folded. The CX-5 featured moderately sized storage compartments and a user-friendly infotainment system controlled via a dial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless options on higher trims.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in accommodating passengers and cargo. The Execline's front seats were heated, ventilated, and equipped with massage functions, while all Atlas models featured heated and ventilated front seats. The second row offered captain's chairs that folded flat and tipped forward for easy access to the third row. Cargo capacity was a strong point, with 583 litres behind the third row, expandable to 1,572 litres with the third row folded, and a total of 2,735 litres with all seats down. The Atlas provided competitive space across all three rows, making it an excellent choice for hauling people and belongings comfortably.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment display controlled via a dial on the centre console. While the screen was smaller than those in some competitors, its placement in the driver's sightline minimized distraction. The dial allowed for easy navigation through menus, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with wireless options on higher trims. The CX-5's analog gauges felt somewhat outdated, but a head-up display was standard on higher trims. The audio system ranged from a four-speaker setup on the base trim to a 10-speaker Bose premium system on the top trim.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas came with a 12-inch touchscreen running VW's MIB3 operating system, a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. However, the MIB3 system was criticized for being frustrating to use, with touch-sensitive controls that were difficult to operate at night. The Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound quality, and the Digital Cockpit Pro offered multiple view options. Despite its attractive design, the Atlas's tech was seen as prioritizing form over function.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover protection. It scored well in IIHS crash tests, but its standard collision avoidance system received a Poor rating. All trims came with advanced safety features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added features like adaptive headlights, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS for 2025. The Atlas featured Volkswagen's IQ.Drive suite of driver assistance features, including forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitors, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added Park Assist, although the Atlas was easy to maneuver without it. The safety systems performed reliably during testing, providing a sense of security.