Compare the2025 Mazda CX-50VS 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-50 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Mazda CX-50 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-50 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	CX-50	Atlas Cross Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-28 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	2 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-35 MPH	-2 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.8 sec	.6 sec

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Mazda CX-50 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-50. But it costs extra on the Atlas Cross Sport.

The CX-50’s 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 Cross Sport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CX-50 and the Atlas Cross Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mazda CX-50 is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport:

	CX-50	Atlas Cross Sport
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	100	307
Neck Injury Risk	23.2%	30%
Neck Stress	209 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	11 lbs.	59 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	211	277
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	22%	39%
Neck Stress	106 lbs.	129 lbs.
Neck Compression	74 lbs.	117 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mazda CX-50 is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport:

	CX-50	Atlas Cross Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	35	48
Hip Force	114 lbs.	215 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	67	208
Hip Force	499 lbs.	529 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches
HIC	214	309
Spine Acceleration	28 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	521 lbs.	594 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Mazda CX-50 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Atlas Cross Sport has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Warranty

Mazda’s powertrain warranty covers the CX-50 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas Cross Sport. 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 Cross Sport ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The CX-50’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

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 CX-50’s reliability 23 points higher than the Atlas Cross Sport.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Volkswagen.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 12 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The CX-50’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-50 is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport:

	CX-50 4 cyl. hybrid gas	CX-50 turbo 4 cyl.	Atlas Cross Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	7 sec	7.7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.8 sec	15.4 sec	15.9 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-50 gets better mileage than the Atlas Cross Sport:

			MPG
CX-50
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	39 city/37 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/31 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
Atlas Cross Sport
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/26 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-50 (except Turbo/Hybrid)’s fuel efficiency. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-50 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Transmission

The CX-50 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The CX-50 stops much shorter than the Atlas Cross Sport:

	CX-50	Atlas Cross Sport
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus handles at .84 G’s, while the Atlas Cross Sport 4Motion pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Atlas Cross Sport 4Motion (26.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-50 Hybrid’s turning circle is 4.6 feet tighter than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (35.4 feet vs. 40 feet). The CX-50’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (36 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-50 Hybrid Preferred has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas Cross Sport (7.6 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the CX-50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-50 2.5 S Premium Plus’ minimum ground clearance is 2.3 inches higher than on the Atlas Cross Sport (8.6 vs. 6.3 inches).

Chassis

The Mazda CX-50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport.

The CX-50 is 9.8 inches shorter than the Atlas Cross Sport, making the CX-50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-50 is 5.4 inches narrower than the Atlas Cross Sport, making the CX-50 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-50’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Ergonomics

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the CX-50 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas Cross Sport only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-50’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Atlas Cross Sport’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The CX-50’s optional 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 Cross Sport has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-50 outsold the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport by over two to one during 2024.

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