Compare the2024 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Outlander PHEV 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 Outlander PHEV have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Atlas has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander PHEV’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Atlas and the Outlander PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Outlander PHEV:

	Atlas	Outlander PHEV
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	42	203
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.61 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	10 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 50 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander PHEV is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2023.

Warranty

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander PHEV.

There are almost 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas’ warranty.

Engine

The Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (269 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Atlas has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (18.6 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

The Atlas’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Outlander PHEV are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas has larger standard tires than the Outlander PHEV (245/60R18 vs. 235/60R18). The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander PHEV (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

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

The Atlas has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

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 Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 10.8 inches longer than on the Outlander PHEV (117.3 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 4.3 inches wider in the front and 4.6 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander PHEV.

Chassis

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Atlas has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander PHEV has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Atlas has 28.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander PHEV (154 vs. 125.5).

The Atlas has .7 inches more front headroom, 4.5 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 5.3 inches more rear hip room, 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 5.2 inches more third row headroom, 14.6 inches more third row legroom, 3 inches more third row hip room and 3.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander PHEV.

	Atlas	Outlander PHEV
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	11.7 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	55.5 cubic feet	33.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	96.6 cubic feet	64.7 cubic feet

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the Outlander PHEV’s in every dimension:

	Atlas	Outlander PHEV
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.8”/53”/85”	n.a./80.3”
Max Width	61.6”	53”
Min Width	45”	42.1”
Height	37.5”	n/a

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Atlas. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Atlas’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander PHEV’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is only 1500 pounds. The Atlas offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Atlas uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander PHEV 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.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Atlas and the Outlander PHEV have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Atlas is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander PHEV prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Atlas’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander PHEV’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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 Outlander PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander PHEV’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Outlander PHEV’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 Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas 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. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Atlas keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Atlas has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Outlander PHEV.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Atlas’ passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Outlander PHEV’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL offers wireless charging.

The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’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 Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Atlas is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander by almost two to one during 2022.

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