2023 Volkswagen Atlas vs Mazda CX 5: A Comprehensive Comparison

Compare Volkswagen Atlas vs Mazda CX 5 – When it comes to selecting an SUV, there are many options to choose from. Two of the top contenders are the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the Mazda CX-5.

Both vehicles offer excellent features, but which one is best for your lifestyle? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Volkswagen Atlas vs Mazda CX-5 so that you can make an informed decision about which SUV is right for you.

What is The Main Difference Between Volkswagen Atlas and Mazda CX 5?

When it comes to choosing the right mid-sized SUV for you, there is no better choice than the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Mazda CX-5.

Both of these vehicles offer a range of features and performance capabilities that will appeal to a wide variety of drivers.

However, there are some key differences between the two vehicles that could help you decide which one is best suited for your needs.

The Volkswagen Atlas offers a roomy interior with plenty of passenger space, while the Mazda CX-5 has less seating but more cargo space.

The VW Atlas Cross Sport also offers a higher ground clearance than the Mazda CX-5, allowing it to perform better off-road.

The engine and transmission options on the Volkswagen Atlas are slightly more powerful than those of the Mazda CX-5. The V6 engine in the VW Atlas has 280 hp, while the Mazda CX-5’s 4-cylinder engine produces 187 hp.

Additionally, the Volkswagen Atlas comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the Mazda CX-5 has a 6-speed automatic transmission.

When it comes to fuel economy and real-world MPG, the Volkswagen Atlas has an impressive 23/26 city/highway MPG rating while the Mazda CX-5 has a slightly lower rating of 25/31 city/highway MPG.

If you’re looking for a reliable SUV that offers great value for your money, then the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 are both excellent choices.

Ultimately, it all depends on your budget and personal preferences when deciding which one is best suited for your needs.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

When it comes to pricing and deciding which SUV is right for you, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas vs Mazda CX 5 has very different price tags.

The Volkswagen Atlas starts at $34,600 for the base SE trim and goes up to $51,790 for the top SEL Premium R-Line trim. Meanwhile, the 2022 Mazda CX-5 begins at $25,900 plus a $1,225 destination charge.

On the other hand, the decision between the VW Atlas Cross Sport vs Mazda CX-5 really depends on your individual needs.

The VW Atlas Cross Sport is ideal for drivers who are looking for a larger, higher-performing vehicle with a bigger cargo space and luxurious amenities.

While the 2022 Mazda CX-5 is best for drivers who need an efficient yet reliable SUV that fits their budget and is still comfortable enough to take on family adventures.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 both come with a standard 4-cylinder engine, but the Atlas offers an optional V6.

The Atlas also has a more powerful engine, as the standard 4-cylinder generates 235 horsepower compared to the CX-5’s standard 187 horsepower.

As for transmissions, the Atlas offers an 8-speed automatic transmission while the CX-5 comes with a 6-speed automatic. When it comes to performance, the Volkswagen Atlas is slightly ahead of the Mazda CX-5.

The Atlas’s V6 offers better acceleration than the CX-5, while its 8-speed transmission provides a smoother ride and better fuel economy.

The CX-5 is no slouch either, however; its 187 horsepower and 6-speed transmission still offer a comfortable ride and impressive handling.

The Volkswagen Atlas also offers a larger cargo space than the Mazda CX-5, making it a great choice for those looking to haul larger items.

However, when comparing the VW Atlas Cross Sport vs Mazda CX-5, both vehicles offer similar amounts of cargo space. The main difference between them is the Cross Sport’s additional off-road capabilities.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

When it comes to fuel economy and real-world MPG, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and 2022 Mazda CX-5 offer a relatively similar experience.

The VW Atlas is equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Meanwhile, the Mazda CX-5 features a 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, offering a slightly better 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. In terms of real-world testing, both SUVs perform similarly in terms of fuel efficiency.

When driving on a mixed route, the VW Atlas Cross Sport will return around 25 mpg while the Mazda CX-5 will get around 27 mpg.

Overall, when it comes to fuel economy and MPG, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and 2022 Mazda CX-5 offer an impressive blend of efficiency and power.

With similar specs, it ultimately comes down to personal preference when choosing between these two cars.

Whether you opt for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or Mazda CX-5, you’ll be sure to have an enjoyable driving experience.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

When it comes to interior comfort and cargo space, the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 offer great value and options.

The Atlas has a seating capacity of seven with its three-row option, and the CX-5 features a spacious five-seater layout.

In terms of cargo space, the Atlas offers up to 78.8 cubic feet of cargo space, while the CX-5 offers 59.6 cubic feet of cargo space with its second-row seats folded down.

The Atlas Cross Sport offers even more interior room than the standard Atlas, and it has a max cargo capacity of 67.3 cubic feet.

The CX-5 also offers an available roof rack for added storage space. When it comes to interior comfort and amenities, both vehicles offer plenty of options, including leather upholstery, heated front seats, panoramic sunroofs, and power-adjustable front seats.

When it comes to the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs Mazda CX-5, both models provide great value when it comes to interior comfort and cargo space.

While the Atlas Cross Sport offers a bit more cargo space than the CX-5, the CX-5’s roof rack offers an extra storage option. Ultimately, both models are great choices when it comes to interior comfort and cargo space.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 both have modern infotainment systems, offering plenty of advanced features.

The Volkswagen Atlas offers an 8-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as VW’s Car-Net system, which allows users to access various apps and services.

Additionally, the Atlas also offers an optional 10-inch touchscreen with an upgraded Car-Net system that includes a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Mazda CX-5, meanwhile, offers an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, as well as its own suite of apps and services.

Overall, both the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 offer excellent infotainment systems and connectivity options for their respective segments.

If you’re looking for more cargo space and extra driver assistance features, then the Atlas is your best bet. However, if you need more legroom for passengers, then the Atlas Cross Sport would be a better option.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

When it comes to safety features, both the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 are well-equipped.

The Atlas has a range of active safety systems, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking.

The CX-5 also has similar systems in place, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Both vehicles also offer excellent driver-assistance features such as adaptive headlights and automated parking.

However, the CX-5 has an advantage with its available 360-degree camera system. This system makes it easier to maneuver in tight spaces like parking lots and tight corners.

Overall, when it comes to safety and driver-assistance features, both the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 have a lot to offer.

Whether you choose the Atlas Cross Sport or the CX-5, you can be confident that you’re getting a vehicle with excellent safety features and driver-assistance technologies.

Final Verdict

The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas vs Mazda CX-5 offers two different packages that cater to different types of drivers.

The Atlas offers a large size and plenty of cargo space, while the CX-5 has a more compact design and plenty of technology features.

When it comes to pricing, the Atlas is more expensive than the CX-5, but it offers more features and a longer list of standard safety features.

In terms of performance, both vehicles are similar, with the CX-5 having the advantage when it comes to fuel economy and real-world MPG. When it comes to the interior, comfort, and cargo, the Atlas is roomier and offers more cargo space.

The infotainment and connectivity features in both vehicles are fairly comparable. Finally, when it comes to safety and driver-assistance features, the Atlas stands out due to its long list of standard features.

If you’re looking for a reliable SUV that offers plenty of cargo space and a long list of standard safety features, then the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas is the right choice for you.

If you prefer a smaller SUV with plenty of tech features, then the 2022 Mazda CX-5 is worth considering.

Ultimately, when it comes to choosing between the 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs Mazda CX-5, it all comes down to what type of vehicle fits your lifestyle best.

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