Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volkswagen Atlas has not been tested.

The Traverse’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Traverse and the Atlas 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, 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.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Traverse is safer than the Atlas:

The Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Atlas is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Traverse 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Volkswagen dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

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 Traverse’s reliability 28 points higher than the Atlas.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Atlas isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 81 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 93 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 2 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 59 more horsepower (328 vs. 269) and 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas:

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Atlas FWD (20 city/27 hwy vs. 20 city/26 hwy).

The Traverse AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Atlas (21.7 vs. 18.6 gallons).

The Traverse has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Atlas doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Traverse higher (5 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas (4). This means the Traverse produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Traverse has larger standard tires than the Atlas (255/65R18 vs. 245/60R18). The Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Atlas (275/45R22 vs. 265/45R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Atlas’ largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Volkswagen Atlas only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Atlas (121 inches vs. 117.3 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Traverse’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Atlas’ (39 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Traverse has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (6.8 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Traverse to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Traverse Z71’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the Atlas (7.8 vs. 6.3 inches).

The front grille of the Traverse uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Atlas doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Traverse uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Atlas doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Atlas can only carry 7.

The Traverse has 3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Atlas (157 vs. 154).

The Traverse has 1.3 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.9 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.5 inches more third row hip room and 2.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Atlas.

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the Atlas.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Traverse RS/High Country’s second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Atlas doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Traverse RS/High Country’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Traverse’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Atlas does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Traverse has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Traverse RS/High Country’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Atlas has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Traverse’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

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

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Volkswagen Atlas by 35% during 2024.