Volkswagen Atlas vs Ford Explorer
Three-row SUVs · head to head, 2018–2027
The Volkswagen Atlas and Ford Explorer were both sold for 10 model years (2018–2027). Among the Atlas's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Explorer's own years, its best bet is 2024; years to avoid: 2016, 2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Volkswagen Atlas
SUV · 2018–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2019, 2021
Ford Explorer
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2016, 2020
- Be careful 2011–2015, 2017
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Atlas year says nothing about whether it beats a Explorer. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Volkswagen Atlas | Ford Explorer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly brakes and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly air bags and collision avoidance | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly air bags and brakes | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Volkswagen Atlas | 2026 Ford Explorer | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | $40,585 to $54,905 base price by trim, 5 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 269 hp | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo 3.0L 6-cyl turbo |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 21–23 mpg | 19–24 mpg |
| Seats | 7 | 5–7 |
| Third row | Yes | Yes |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 2 · 9 | 14 · 38 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Atlas 4Motion Peak Edition SE first listed | Atlas SE last listed | Explorer Active lowest price, $40,585 | Explorer ST highest price, $54,905 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | — | Optional | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | — | — | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | — | Optional | Optional |
| 360-degree camera | — | — | — | Standard |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | — | — | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Atlas, Explorer).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Volkswagen Atlas
12 manufacturer programs on file: 8 extended coverage, 4 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement. (2018–2023 models)
- Extended coverage For applicable Settlement Class Vehicles, the New Vehicle Limited Warranty will be extended to cover 50% of the repair or replacement of the Turbocharger by an authorized Volkswagen Dealer for 8.5 years or 85,000 miles, whichever occurs… (VWP-25-16, 2018–2023 models)
- Extended coverage These documents are for the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Limited Warranty Extension as part of the Class Action Settlement (2018–2023 models)
- Extended coverage Supporting FAQ for VWP-26-07 Main Engine Wiring Harness Limited Warranty Extension (Class Action) (VWP-26, 2018–2022 models)
Ford Explorer
21 manufacturer programs on file: 5 extended coverage, 16 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission torque converter for twelve (12) months from the RO date of Powertrain Control Module reflash under Customer Satisfaction Program 20B27. (20N07, 2016–2019 models)
- Extended coverage A new 3M adhesive is now available, allowing a longer working time, along with mixing nozzles and applicator. 3M Universal Adhesive Black Part Number 08223, 3M Static Mixing Nozzles Part Number 08193 This program provides a one-time repair… (20N11, 2016–2019 models)
- Extended coverage Certain 2013-2019 Model Year Police Interceptor Utility Vehicles Equipped with a 3.7L Engine Catalytic Converter Extended Coverage This program extends the warranty coverage of the catalytic converters to 11 years of service or 120,000… (19M01, 2015–2016, 2018 models)
- Extended coverage NEW VEHICLE DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD Safety Recall 24S55 – Supplement #1 Dated: August 15, 2025 Customer Satisfaction Program 24N12 Dated June 19, 2025 New! REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT • Rental Vehicles: Added specification that long… (24N12, 2021–2022 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2018, 2022–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2020: the Atlas is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly air bags and collision avoidance), while the Explorer is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly power train and engine). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Explorer 2016, 2020.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Atlas 2025; Explorer 2025.
- Third row: both the 2026 Atlas and Explorer offer one.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Explorer at 24 mpg (Atlas: 23), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.