2018 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2018 Ford Explorer

2018 Volkswagen Atlas

2018 Ford Explorer

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Select style

FWD 2.0T S

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
FWD 2.0T S	22	26	$29,490	$30,750
FWD 3.6L V6 S	18	25	$30,833	$32,150
FWD 3.6L V6 Launch Edition	18	25	$32,367	$33,750
FWD 2.0T SE	22	26	$32,453	$33,840
4MOTION 3.6L V6 S	17	23	$32,559	$33,950
FWD 3.6L V6 SE	18	25	$33,795	$35,240
4MOTION 3.6L V6 Launch Edition	17	23	$34,093	$35,550
FWD 2.0T SE w/Technology	22	26	$34,467	$35,940
4MOTION 3.6L V6 SE	17	23	$35,520	$37,040
FWD 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology	18	25	$35,809	$37,340
4MOTION 3.6L V6 SE w/Technology	17	23	$37,535	$39,140
FWD 2.0T SEL	22	26	$37,793	$39,410
FWD 3.6L V6 SEL	18	25	$39,453	$41,140
4MOTION 3.6L V6 SEL	17	23	$41,180	$42,940
4MOTION 3.6L V6 SEL Premium	17	23	$46,742	$48,740

Select style

FWD Base

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
FWD Base	17	24	$31,015	$32,140
FWD XLT	17	24	$32,637	$34,175
4WD Base	16	22	$33,090	$34,290
4WD XLT	16	22	$34,690	$36,325
FWD Limited	19	27	$40,196	$42,090
4WD Limited	18	25	$42,249	$44,240
4WD Sport	16	22	$43,883	$45,950
4WD Platinum	16	22	$51,512	$53,940

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$29,490

$31,015

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$30,750

$32,140

Monthly Payment Estimate

$513 / month

$536 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.5

Read Our Full Review

6.7

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2018 Volkswagen Atlas does little wrong, but it's light on personality and a little low-rent inside—and it guzzles fuel. It's worth a look, but mostly rivals do more for less.

The 2018 Ford Explorer has pulled off a graceful transition from clumsy off-roader to genteel family wagon.

TCC Likes

Finally, VW has a three-row crossover
Trick second row slides forward with child seat attached
Rides and drives lighter than its size and heft suggest

A utility player, in the classic sense
Very good handling
Better fuel economy ratings

TCC Dislikes

Late to the party; will buyers discover it?
No AWD with 4-cylinder
We wanted a diesel...

The EPA’s optimistic with those turbo ratings
Platinum content, platinum prices
Second-row seat needs padding, less tilt

Fuel Economy

City

22 mpg

17 mpg

Highway

26 mpg

24 mpg

Interior Dimensions

Front Shoulder Room (in)

61.5

Third Leg Room (in)

33.7

Second Head Room (in)

40.4

40.6

Third Hip Room (in)

45.1

40.7

Second Shoulder Room (in)

60.8

Front Leg Room (in)

41.5

42.9

Third Head Room (in)

38.3

37.8

Front Hip Room (in)

58.2

57.3

Passenger Capacity

Third Shoulder Room (in)

54.9

50.8

Second Leg Room (in)

37.6

39.5

Front Head Room (in)

41.3

41.4

Second Hip Room (in)

56.8

Passenger Volume (ft³)

151.7

Exterior Dimensions

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

78.3

78.9

Track Width, Front (in)

67.2

Length, Overall (in)

198.3

Height, Overall (in)

Track Width, Rear (in)

67.8

Wheelbase (in)

117.3

112.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

7.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

55.5

43.8

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

96.8

80.7

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

20.6

Brakes

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.2

12.8

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

13.2

12.8

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System (Second Line)

4-Wheel

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

18.6

Aux Fuel Tank Location

Midship

Fuel Tank Location

Midship

Steering

Steering Type

Rack-Pinion

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

38.1

39.2

Tires

Spare Tire Order Code

Rear Tire Size

P245/60HR18

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P245/60HR18

Spare Tire Size

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Trailering

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

Maximum Trailering Capacity (lbs)

2000

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

200

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

2000

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8

18 X 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 X 8

18 X 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Engine

Displacement

2.0 L/121

3.5 L/213

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

235 @ 4500

290 @ 6500

Engine Type

Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4

Regular Unleaded V-6

Fuel System

Gasoline Direct Injection

Sequential MPI

Engine Oil Cooler

None

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

258 @ 1600

255 @ 4000

Engine Order Code

998-1

Mileage

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Transmission

Drivetrain

Front Wheel Drive

Trans PTO Access

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.95

1.84

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.21

1.00

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

0.81

Trans Description Cont. Again

Reverse Ratio (:1)

3.99

2.88

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

3.14

2.87

Trans Order Code

44J

Transfer Case Power Take Off

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.43

1.41

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

0.74

Eighth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.67

First Gear Ratio (:1)

5.59

4.48

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.39

Summary

Body Style

Sport Utility

Vehicle Name

Volkswagen Atlas

Ford Explorer

Suspension

Suspension Type - Rear

Multi-Link

Axle Type - Rear

Independent

Axle Ratio (:1) - Rear

3.60

Suspension Type - Front

Strut

Axle Type - Front

Independent

Axle Ratio (:1) - Front

3.60

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

Strut

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

Multi-Link

Emissions

Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year

7.3

8.8

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Standard Sport Utility Vehicles 2WD

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

4443

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

540

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

175

Crash Test Ratings

Overall Rating

Overall Frontal Barrier Crash Rating

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Driver

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating Passenger

Overall Side Crash Rating

Side Barrier Rating

Side Barrier Rating Driver

Side Barrier Rating Passenger Rear Seat

Side Pole Rating Driver Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Front Seat

Combined Side Rating Rear Seat

Rollover Rating

2018 Volkswagen Atlas

2019 Atlas is here; 2018s still available
Cashback: $1,000 bonus cash + unadvertised discounts available
Finance: From 1.9% APR for 60 months
Lease: From $219 per month for 36 months

Get Your Price

2018 Ford Explorer

2019 Explorer arriving; 2018s still available
$3,000 rebate on 2018s; $500 on 2019s
Lease a 2018 from $309 for 36 months
0% APR for 60 months + $1,500 bonus on 2018s

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