The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas gets 20 to 23 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2025 Atlas Cross Sport at 23 mpg.
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2025, the Atlas ranks 68th (tied with 5 others) of 76 for combined mileage (21 mpg), 47th (tied with 4 others) of 75 for yearly fuel cost ($2,950 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 71st (tied with 1 other) of 76 for tailpipe CO2 (420 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 26 mpg, costs $2,600 a year and puts out 339 grams per mile.
Across all 250 2025 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 25 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 249 other models, 147 get more miles per gallon than the 2025 Atlas's best version, 20 other models get the same and 82 get less. The 2025 Atlas's cheapest version costs $2,700 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 241 other models with a cost figure, 91 cost less, 10 the same and 140 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2025. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 2025 Hyundai Palisade | 2025 Palisade AWD | 21 | $2,950 | 420 |
| 68 | 2025 Jeep Wrangler | 2025 Wrangler 2dr 4WD (4-cyl 2.0 L) | 21 | $2,950 | 404 |
| 68 | 2025 Porsche Macan | 2025 Macan | 21 | $3,700 | 417 |
| 68 | 2025 Volkswagen AtlasThis car | 2025 Atlas Cross Sport 4motion | 21 | $2,950 | 420 |
| 74 | 2025 Ford Bronco | 2025 Bronco 4WD (4-cyl 2.3 L, Automatic (S10)) #1 | 20 | $3,100 | 464 |
| 74 | 2025 Kia Telluride | 2025 Telluride AWD | 20 | $3,100 | 442 |
| 74 | 2025 Land Rover Discovery | 2025 Discovery Sport | 20 | $3,850 | 437 |
Pick a 2025 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2025 Atlas Cross Sport, 4-cyl 2.0 L: 20 mpg city, 26 highway, 23 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2025 Atlas version is $2,700 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD class for 2025, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Atlas costs $807 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Atlas costs $4,035 less to fuel than the MDX (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2025 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Atlas (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Atlas | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Acura MDX | 2025 MDX AWD | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 2 lower | $1,000 more a year | - |
| 2025 Honda Passport | 2025 Passport AWD | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 2 lower | $250 more a year | Compare |
| 2025 Hyundai Palisade | 2025 Palisade AWD | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 2 lower | $250 more a year | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2025; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Atlas Cross Sport | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (S8) | Front-wheel | 20 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 | 392 | cheapest |
| 2025 Atlas | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (S8) | Front-wheel | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 | 402 | +$150 |
| 2025 Atlas Cross Sport 4motion | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 19 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 420 | +$250 |
| 2025 Atlas SE 4motion | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 19 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 420 | +$250 |
| 2025 Atlas SEL 4motion | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 18 | 25 | 21 | $2,950 | 428 | +$250 |
| 2025 Atlas 4motion Peak Edition | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,100 | 436 | +$400 |
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2025 Atlas; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2025 Atlas Cross Sport puts out 392 grams per mile; across the 6 tested versions the figure runs from 392 to 436.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2025 Atlas Cross Sport: fuel economy score 5 (4 to 5 across versions), greenhouse gas score 5 (4 to 5 across versions).
Best combined figure of the Atlas gas version each model year since 2016, set against the 2025 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Versions tested | Against 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 24 mpg | 3 | 1 mpg higher than 2025 | |
| 2019 | 22 mpg | 3 | 1 mpg lower than 2025 | |
| 2020 | 22 mpg | 7 | 1 mpg lower than 2025 | |
| 2021 | 22 mpg | 8 | 1 mpg lower than 2025 | |
| 2022 | 23 mpg | 8 | same as 2025 | |
| 2023 | 23 mpg | 8 | same as 2025 | |
| 2024 | 23 mpg | 6 | same as 2025 | |
| 2025This page | 23 mpg | 6 | this page | |
| 2026 | 23 mpg | 6 | same as 2025 |
Compared with the 2024 model: 6 versions were tested then and 6 now; the best figure went from 23 to 23 mpg (no change).
The 2026 model has 6 tested versions.
| Version in 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Atlas Cross Sport, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | no change |
| 2025 Atlas, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 22 mpg | 23 mpg | -1 mpg |
| 2025 Atlas Cross Sport 4motion, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 21 mpg | 22 mpg | -1 mpg |
| 2025 Atlas SE 4motion, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 21 mpg | 22 mpg | -1 mpg |
| 2025 Atlas SEL 4motion, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | no change |
| 2025 Atlas 4motion Peak Edition, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | no change |
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUV AWD | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 4 variants; the first 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 51 complaints, 5 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: ATLAS, ATLAS CROSS SPORT.
77 complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 30 | |
| Power Train | 21 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 | |
| Engine | 12 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 10 |
1 of the 77 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 0 mention an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: ATLAS, ATLAS CROSS SPORT.
5 recalls are on file for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: ATLAS, ATLAS CROSS SPORT.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling 2024-2026 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. The vehicles may experience a low-voltage electrical event that affects display screen functions.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport and 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles.
Fix: Dealers will replace the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 25, 2025. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas Cross Sport and Atlas vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to become distorted when the vehicle is in reverse.
Fix: Dealers will update the camera control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The engine cover may have been improperly installed after vehicle service, allowing it to come loose and contact hot engine surfaces.
Fix: Dealers will remove the engine cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The transmission may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Fix: Dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Other 2025 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Atlas itself is at 21 mpg.
More Volkswagen models that have a 2025 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2025 Atlas Cross Sport with 23 mpg combined (20 city, 26 highway).
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas costs between $2,700 and $3,100 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2025 Atlas Cross Sport at $2,700; the dearest is the 2025 Atlas 4motion Peak Edition at $3,100. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
2025 Atlas Cross Sport 4motion: 21 mpg combined (19 city, 26 highway); 2025 Atlas SE 4motion: 21 mpg combined (19 city, 26 highway); 2025 Atlas SEL 4motion: 21 mpg combined (18 city, 25 highway); 2025 Atlas 4motion Peak Edition: 20 mpg combined (18 city, 25 highway).
The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas is 68th of 76 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2025 Kia Sportage at 43 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 26 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2025 Porsche Macan at 21 mpg and the next one behind is the 2025 Ford Bronco at 20 mpg.
The 2024 model had 6 tested versions and the 2025 model has 6. The best figure went from 23 to 23 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2025 Volkswagen Atlas SUV AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4; 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SUV AWD: overall 5 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 4 variants; the first 2 are shown.
77 complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Electrical System (30 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 5 recalls for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.