2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, particularly in its Rock Creek trim, was designed to tackle challenging conditions, as demonstrated during a test in a severe snowstorm. Equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires and standard all-wheel drive, the Pathfinder offered seven selectable driving modes, including a dedicated snow mode, which proved effective in deep snow. The Rock Creek trim featured an adventurous look with beadlock-style wheels, a V-Motion grille with mesh pattern, and stacked LED lighting elements. Despite its rugged appearance, the Pathfinder was a unibody crossover without additional ground clearance or protective skid plates. Inside, the Pathfinder offered a comfortable interior with cloth seats standard on lower trims and leatherette-and-cloth upholstery in the Rock Creek. The interior was generally well-received, with comfortable seating and solid material quality, though it lacked cutting-edge technology.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, available in four trim levels, presented a polished and upscale appearance with its Mountain Lake Blue exterior, aluminum detailing, and 21-inch wheels. The Atlas Execline trim, tested in this review, featured a Shetland Beige leather interior with diamond-stitched leather and metallic accents, creating a warm and inviting environment. The digital instrumentation and large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience, though the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and stereo volume were less satisfying to use. The Atlas's design resisted looking dirty, and its handling was predictable on mountain roads, though the ride quality was less impressive, with a brittle suspension over smaller road anomalies and excessive body motions at highway speeds. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas offered a comfortable and spacious interior, particularly in the third row, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing passenger comfort and cargo space.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims, while the Rock Creek trim offered a slight boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. The engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided smooth and decisive shifts. The Pathfinder's towing capacity reached 2,720 kilograms in the Platinum and Rock Creek trims, thanks to a transmission oil cooler. The Pathfinder's ride was soft, suitable for bumpy roads and light off-roading, but less composed on twisty roads. Fuel economy for the Rock Creek trim was 11.9 L/100 km in the city and 10.0 on the highway, with a combined rating of 11.1 L/100 km. The Pathfinder featured seven drive modes and hill descent control, with snow mode effectively providing traction in deep snow.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas transitioned to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial concerns about its capability, the engine proved refined and satisfying for daily driving tasks. The Atlas's eight-speed automatic transmission and 4Motion AWD system contributed to its performance. Fuel economy ratings for the Execline trim were 12.8 L/100 km in the city and 11.3 combined, though real-world testing showed higher consumption. The Atlas's ride quality was less impressive, with a brittle suspension over smaller road anomalies and excessive body motions at highway speeds. However, its handling was predictable, with responsive brakes and steering in Sport mode.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder offered ample interior space despite having less cargo capacity than some competitors. During a ski trip with four adults, the Pathfinder comfortably accommodated passengers and gear. Cargo space measured 470 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,274 litres with the third row folded, and 2,279 litres with both rows down. The Pathfinder featured three-zone climate control and comfortable seating, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver's seat in the Rock Creek trim. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, offering a spacious and comfortable interior. The Execline model featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, with excellent outward visibility and a surround-view camera system. The second-row bench seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample legroom and a panoramic sunroof overhead. Access to the third-row seat was outstanding, with generous clearance and adequate leg support. The Atlas provided 583 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,571 litres with the third row folded, and 2,735 litres with both rows down. Storage space was commendable throughout the cabin, with practical compartments and cupholders.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's technology lagged behind competitors, with an older infotainment interface compared to other Nissans. The system featured an 8-inch touchscreen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in higher trims, with physical buttons and rotary knobs for user-friendly operation. The Pathfinder offered a 6-speaker stereo, with a 13-speaker Bose system in the Platinum trim. NissanConnect supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. Voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with navigation available only on higher trims.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used VW Group's MIB3 operating system with a 12-inch touchscreen display. The system lacked traditional knobs and buttons, relying on touch-sensing controls for temperature and volume. The Atlas's native digital voice assistant was unreliable, making smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto essential for a better user experience. The Execline trim featured a Harman Kardon audio system, enhancing the listening experience. Despite some user-experience glitches, the Atlas's technology offered a high-tech experience with connected service plans.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control and Nissan's ProPilot Assist were also standard, with traffic sign recognition available on higher trims.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured IQ.Drive, a suite of standard driver assistance features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick. Volkswagen Canada provided an eight-year subscription to Car-Net Safe & Secure services, enhancing safety and security.