2020 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2020 Mazda CX-9

Once upon a time, buying a family vehicle meant a frumpy minivan, a dowdy station wagon, or a slab-sided SUV with all the grace of a Greyhound bus. Those days are behind us (thankfully), especially as carmakers are building three-row SUVs that are better looking, a bit smaller, and a lot more agile than the family-haulers of yore. The three-row 2020 Volkswagen Atlas that's available at Heritage Volkswagen Parkville is a true standout, but since most of our customers comparison shop, they're often curious how it stacks up against competitors like the 2020 Mazda CX-9. 

Performance 

The Mazda CX-9 offers only one engine. Its 227 horsepower falls short of the 235 horses in the turbocharged I4 base engine in the Volkswagen Atlas, and is left in the dust by the 276-horsepower V6 that's available to the upper trims. As you'd imagine, this leads to quicker times to a quarter mile or to 60 miles per hour. Stopping distance is also about five feet shorter in the Volkswagen SUV, which is every bit as important. And if you're looking at reliability and ownership costs, it's worth noting that new Volkswagen SUVs have longer warranties, and are rated better for reliability by J. D. Power. 

Capability 

One key reason you're buying a three-row SUV is its space and capabilities. The Volkswagen Atlas is a bit larger, but this has its advantages. To begin with, there's 18.6 cubic feet more passenger space, so everyone stays out of each other's hair. Cargo capacity is a similar story. You're starting with 20.6 cubic feet (6.2 more cubic feet than the Mazda SUV), and cargo space expands to 55.5 cubic feet behind the second row, or 96.8 cubic feet behind the first row (the Mazda CX-9 maxes out at 71.2 cubic feet). The Volkswagen SUV wins on towing, too - 5,000 lb to 3,500 lb (when properly equipped). 

Safety and Technology 

We close with an item that's doubtless high on your list: safety. Some features are simple but useful, like automatic headlights (standard on the Volkswagen model, they cost more on the Mazda SUV) to much more impressive. In the latter category, the Volkswagen Atlas offers features like standard hill descent control, post-collision braking, and backup collision braking that its competitor doesn't have. 

Heritage Volkswagen Parkville  

These family-friendly SUVs are very closely matched, and while we're partial to the Volkswagen Atlas, we know the Mazda brand has its own strengths and charms. You're the one who'll be driving either of these SUVs, so the best thing you can do is visit your Parkville Volkswagen dealership for a test drive, Volkswagen financing, and more.