Please pay attention all SUV shoppers looking for a roomy vehicle who don’t need or want a third row of seating. The 2025 Honda Pilot and 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport are based on midsize 3-row SUVs, except they toss out their mechanical siblings’ back row of seats in favor of larger cargo bays.
Now entering its seventh model year, the Passport is a close relative of the 3-row Honda Pilot. A strong 3.5-liter V6 and all-wheel drive (AWD) are standard. Moreover the Passport also happens to have one of the roomiest interiors among 2-row midsize SUVs.
A midcycle refresh last year breathed new life into the Atlas Cross Sport, a 5-seat spinoff of the 3-row Atlas SUV.
Let’s take a closer look at the highlights of the 2025 Passport and Atlas Cross Sport.
2025 Honda Passport
2024 model shown
The 2025 Honda Passport offers three trims: EX-L, TrailSport, and the Black Edition. Pricing for the EX-L starts at $43,850, including the destination fee.
Changes to the Passport are nil for 2025, as it’s expected to get a complete makeover for 2026. The Black Edition replaced the previous top-of-the-line Elite trim last year, and the outdoorsy TrailSport received more rugged suspension settings, extra underbody skid plates, and more capable off-road tires, as well.
Honda Passport Highlights
TrailSport trim: No, it’s not going to challenge the likes of a Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler when it comes to scaling boulders and forging waist-deep bogs. But the TrailSport’s suspension and go-anywhere hardware ensure it won’t fall to pieces when all-terrain adventures beckon.
Standard AWD: Adding all-wheel drive to the lower trims of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport costs a $1,900 premium. With the Honda Passport, you get all-wheel drive on every trim for no extra charge.
Powerful V6: No fancy turbos or hybrid systems are employed to get the Passport down the road swiftly and efficiently. Under the hood is a trusty 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph takes a little over 6 seconds.
Top-tier resale value: For those looking for a long-term relationship with their next SUV, the Passport enjoys excellent resale value. This is especially important for Honda shoppers looking to finance or purchase a Passport outright.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Passport models for sale near you.
2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
2024 model shown
The 2025 Atlas Cross Sport sees just a few updates this model year, most prominently is the addition of the SEL R-Line Black trim level. Unsurprisingly, it features blacked out wheels and other accent pieces as well as leather-wrapped steering wheel and a stainless steel pedal caps. The R-Line also gets a 4-way lumbar support and massage functions for the front seats. All trim levels now enjoy wireless phone charging.
Power comes from a newly standard 269-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder that replaces the previous model’s base turbo 4-cylinder and optional V6. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. There are seven trims, and pricing starts at $38,615, including the destination charge.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Highlights
Upscale styling: With its more aggressive front end and tapering roofline, the Atlas Cross Sport is a handsome and sporty-looking SUV. Better still, despite the fashionable nod to SUV-meets-coupe design, the Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of cargo space and practicality compared to the boxier design used in the 3-row Atlas.
12-inch infotainment touchscreen: Volkswagen now equips every Atlas Cross Sport with a sizable 12-inch touchscreen complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six USB-C ports, and a wireless charging pad.
Turbo 4-cylinder: The 269-hp turbo 4-cylinder in the Atlas Cross Sport is now the only powertrain choice. It has more torque than the outgoing V6 and delivers a class-competitive EPA rating of 23 combined mpg.
More comfort touches: The Atlas Cross Sport coddles occupants with standard heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and 3-zone climate control.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Atlas Cross Sport models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Passport and Cross Sport offer exceptional amounts of space for passengers, along with nearly identical levels of cargo volume behind their second rows. Despite the Honda having a V6 and the VW a turbo 4-cylinder, fuel mileage and acceleration between these two midsize SUVs are also very similar.
Price
New 2025 Honda Passport Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (97355)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$43,850 |
$42,096 |
|||
$46,450 |
$44,499 |
|||
$49,920 |
$47,404 |
New 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (97355)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$38,615 |
$36,529 |
|||
$40,515 |
$38,473 |
|||
$42,720 |
$40,126 |
|||
$44,620 |
$42,246 |
|||
$48,615 |
$45,644 |
|||
$50,565 |
$47,971 |
|||
$53,620 |
$51,003 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Honda Passport vehicles and New 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Honda Passport | 2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 3.5-liter V6 | 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 280 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 269 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 262 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm | 273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined | 20 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.9 inches | 117.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 189.1 inches | 195.6 inches |
| Width | 78.6 inches | 78.3 inches with mirrors |
| Height | 72.2 inches | 68.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.1 feet | 40.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.5 inches | 39.4 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 40.0 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.9 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.6 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 62.0 inches | 61.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 61.9 inches | 60.6 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 41.2 cubic feet | 40.3 cubic feet |
Conclusion
This comparison is close. Really close. On the one hand, the Honda Passport is more expensive but has excellent resale value, standard all-wheel drive, a slight horsepower advantage, and numerous standard features.
The numerous standard features attribute also holds true for the Atlas Cross Sport. We applaud VW’s decision to provide items like ventilated front seats, wireless smartphone connectivity, wireless charging, and a generous touchscreen standard. If your needs are a low starting price and front-wheel drive, the Atlas Cross Sport is a sensible pick.
At the end of the day, because it benefited from a refresh for 2024, the Atlas Cross Sport holds the advantage for being more current. However, if all-wheel drive is on your must-have list, the more rugged Passport has the advantage. Moreover, Honda’s reputation for resale value and long-term reliability is an overwhelming reason to buy.
