Volkswagen Atlas vs. Subaru Ascent
At a Glance: VW Atlas vs. Ascent
Whether it’s a daily commute, school drop-offs, or weekend outings, the Volkswagen Atlas and the Subaru Ascent are two popular choices that may have caught your eye. Let’s compare these SUVs to see which SUV fits your Union, Newark, and Elizabeth, NJ lifestyle best.
The Tom's Volkswagen of Union team has made it easy for you to compare these two models. By the end of this guide, you'll be one step closer to finding the perfect family SUV for all your daily adventures!
MAX CARGO VOLUME
MASSAGING FRONT SEATS
STANDARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
The Family SUV Face-Off
Interior
The interior of your SUV should be designed for convenience and comfort. The Volkswagen Atlas and the Subaru Ascent offer spacious interiors, but it’s how they use that space that makes a world of difference.
Cargo Room That Keeps up With You
A spacious cabin is invaluable when you need to load up groceries, sports gear, or oversized furniture. With each SUV offering three rows of seats, you can expect ample room when it comes to transporting everyone and everything.
With all seats in the upright position, the Volkswagen Atlas and the Subaru Ascent offer comparable dimensions, but this trend doesn’t continue throughout the rest of the cabin.
Volkswagen Atlas | vs | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| 55.5 cu. ft. | CARGO SPACE BEHIND SECOND ROW | 43.5 cu. ft. |
| 96.6 cu. ft. | CARGO SPACE BEHIND FIRST ROW | 75.6 cu. ft. |
What does 12 extra cubic feet get you? A spacious 70-quart cooler filled with orange slices and sports drinks to take to your kid’s soccer game. And with an extra 21 cubic feet of max cargo space, there’s always room for the dog’s crate.
Third-Row-Ready for Real Life
When you need an SUV that offers ample passenger space, the Volkswagen Atlas and the Subaru Ascent are up for your ever-changing needs. With seating for seven, these spacious models are ideal for growing families and weekend warriors who never travel light. But despite their similar dimensions in passenger volume, it’s the way each SUV applies these measurements that matters most.
Volkswagen Atlas | vs | Subaru Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| 38.3 in. | THIRD-ROW HEADROOM | 36.2 in. |
| 33.7 in. | THIRD-ROW LEGROOM | 31.7 in. |
The VW Atlas and the Ascent offer comparable first- and second-row dimensions, but it’s in the third row that the Volkswagen truly shines. The VW Atlas makes every inch count, ensuring a more spacious experience than offered in the Ascent.
Comfort
A family SUV is where you get to reconnect with your kids after school. It’s a home away from home where you and your spouse can enjoy a rare moment of solitude amid your dynamic schedules. Having the right features can turn any SUV into something you look forward to.
First-Class at First Glance
Everything is about you—as it should be when you’re in the driver’s seat. The interior of the Volkswagen Atlas was strategically designed to offer an ergonomic and functional experience. Within the cabin, you’ll enjoy comfort-focused standard and available features like:
- 10-way power adjustable seat with lumbar support
- Heated/ventilated front seats
- Thoughtful layout of key controls, from the shifter to the display screens
While you’ll find heated and available ventilated front seats with the Subaru Ascent, this SUV lacks the ergonomic features of the VW Atlas. Looking to upgrade to a truly VIP experience? Only with the VW Atlas will you have access to available premium features like perforated Vienna leather upholstery and massaging front seats.
Every Seat, a Sweet Spot
Beyond the driver’s seat, the Volkswagen Atlas continues to redefine automotive standards. This SUV comes standard with Climatronic® three-zone automatic climate control, which lets nearly everyone set and adjust their preferred temperature. Available second-row heated seats are offered with higher trim levels to extend the enhanced driving experience throughout the cabin.
These same amenities are offered with the Subaru Ascent, making each a joy to travel in. However, the VW Atlas has one unique advantage over the Ascent: the multi-color ambient lighting system. When optionally equipped, the VW Atlas comes with a 30-color ambient lighting system that lets you toggle between colors to make the cabin match your mood of the day.
Innovation
Safety is always top of mind but so is staying connected. The Volkswagen Atlas and the Subaru Ascent come loaded with modern technologies that allow you to stay connected and reach your destination safely.
Peace of Mind Comes Standard
Advanced driver-assist systems like IQ.DRIVE® and EyeSight® make the Volkswagen Atlas and the Subaru Crosstrek well respected in the safety arena. Each model comes with its own version of driver-assistive features like:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Keeping System
- Forward Collision Warning
- Automatic Emergency Braking
Despite these similarities, it’s the VW Atlas that continues to raise the bar with features like Travel Assist. This standard feature uses mild-autonomous capabilities to help keep the SUV centered within its lane and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, providing an extra layer of security. While you’ll find similar capabilities with the Ascent, this model lacks the advanced offerings found standard with the Volkswagen.
Your World, Seamlessly Synced
In today’s tech-savvy world, having a smart and intuitive information system is essential. Standard integration of wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ lets you sync your smartphone to your SUV. From there, you can access your phone’s contacts, music library, compatible apps, and more.
The Volkswagen Atlas and the Subaru Ascent each come with an available Harman Kardon® Premium Audio System, an advanced speaker system that turns your SUV into a mobile concert hall. These similarities ensure the VW Atlas and the Ascent provide equally streamlined connectivity experiences, but how do they compare in the information department?
The standard Digital Cockpit Pro system of the VW Atlas offers a customizable experience that puts the information that matters most to you front and center. The Ascent still relies on a more traditional analog instrument cluster. It’s fine for the basics but lacks the personalized digital command center you’ll find in the VW Atlas.
Test Drive the SUV Built for Life’s Every Chapter
With its spacious, feature-packed interior and thoughtful comfort options, the Volkswagen Atlas sets a new standard for what a family SUV should be. It’s ready to take you and your family wherever life leads, whether it's your next adventure or just another weekday routine around Union, Newark, and Elizabeth, NJ.
Now that you’ve seen what makes the Volkswagen Atlas stand out, it's time to experience it for yourself. Contact Tom's Volkswagen of Union today to schedule a test drive.
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