Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2022 Nissan Pathfinder

The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Atlas and the Pathfinder have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the general design of front seat head restraints for their ability to protect front seat occupants from whiplash injuries. The IIHS also performs a dynamic test on those seats with “good” or “acceptable” geometry. In these ratings, the Atlas is safer than the Pathfinder:

(Lower numerical results are better in all tests.)

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 122 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Pathfinder was not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2016.

The Atlas comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Pathfinder’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Pathfinder’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Pathfinder.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Pathfinder’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Atlas’ reliability 11 points higher than the Pathfinder.

The Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

The Atlas stops shorter than the Pathfinder:

For better traction, the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Pathfinder (265/45R21 vs. 255/60R18).

The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Pathfinder’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line has standard 21-inch wheels. The Pathfinder’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the Pathfinder (117.3 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Atlas SEL R-Line Black 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the Pathfinder SL pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Pathfinder Platinum (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Atlas 2.0T has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Pathfinder (7.1 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Atlas to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Atlas V6’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Pathfinder (7.5 vs. 7 inches).

The Atlas has 5.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Pathfinder (153.7 vs. 148).

The Atlas has .7 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2.1 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room, 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room, .5 inches more third row headroom and 5.7 inches more third row legroom than the Pathfinder.

The front step up height for the Atlas is 1.8 inches lower than the Pathfinder (18” vs. 19.8”). The Atlas’ rear step up height is 1.8 inches lower than the Pathfinder’s (18” vs. 19.8”).

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the Pathfinder.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the Pathfinder’s in almost every dimension:

The Atlas uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pathfinder uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Pathfinder can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Pathfinder’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Pathfinder’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Atlas’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Pathfinder SV/SL/Platinum.

The Atlas SEL Premium’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Nissan Pathfinder isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Nissan Pathfinder by over three to one during the 2021 model year.