VW Atlas vs. Kia Telluride: Which 3-Row SUV Should Akron Families Buy?

Both are good three-row SUVs, and they win on different things. The newly redesigned Kia Telluride offers eight-passenger seating and a hybrid that pushes past 30 mpg. The Volkswagen Atlas answers with a more composed driving feel, a long list of standard equipment, and 4MOTION all-wheel drive that earns its keep on a Summit County morning in February. Want the most seats and the best MPG? Telluride. Want the one that drives best and comes loaded without climbing the trim ladder? Atlas.

Volkswagen Atlas three-row SUV parked on a tree-lined road in Akron, Ohio — The Volkswagen Atlas seats seven and tows up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

What's the biggest difference between the VW Atlas and the Kia Telluride?

Powertrain philosophy. Every Atlas uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder — 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft in the 2026 model, about 282 horsepower in the redesigned 2027. Both pair with an eight-speed automatic, with 4MOTION all-wheel drive available across the lineup.

The redesigned Telluride went a different way: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four making roughly 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft, plus a new hybrid pairing that engine with an electric motor for a combined 329 horsepower. That hybrid is the Telluride's headline feature and a real advantage if fuel economy tops your list.

On the road, the Atlas still feels like the more European of the two — firmer body control, a quieter ride at speed, steering that doesn't go numb. On a long stretch of I-77, that difference adds up.

Which one has more room for people and cargo?

The Telluride grew in its redesign — a wheelbase about 2.7 inches longer than before — and can be configured for eight passengers, with easier third-row access and more space behind row three. That's useful if you regularly carry seven or eight people and their stuff.

The Atlas seats seven and counters on outright volume: roughly 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 behind the second, and about 96.6 with both rows folded — more maximum cargo room than the Telluride. That matters if you haul hockey bags to Cuyahoga Falls more often than you fill every seat. Both tow up to 5,000 pounds properly equipped.

Volkswagen Atlas interior with the second and third rows folded flat for cargo — With both rear rows down, the Atlas opens up roughly 96.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Which is better for Ohio winters?

Both offer all-wheel drive, and both do the job. The difference is tuning: VW's 4MOTION reads wheel slip, throttle, and steering angle and shifts torque rearward before you feel the front tires give up. On the slushy climb up Route 8 or a salted side street in Fairlawn after a lake-effect band, that's a real confidence difference.

Worth saying plainly, though: all-wheel drive helps you go, not stop. Winter tires do more for braking on Northeast Ohio ice than any drivetrain, on either SUV.

Which one costs less — and which gets better gas mileage?

Pricing is close enough that it rarely decides the question. The 2026 Atlas starts around $39,310 and runs to roughly $54,630 for the SEL Premium R-Line, with SE, SE with Technology, Peak Edition, and SEL between. The 2027 Atlas starts near $43,135 front-wheel drive with destination; the Telluride lands nearby at roughly $40,735 gas and $46,490 hybrid. All figures approximate.

Fuel economy is where the Telluride lands its punch. The gas version returns about 22 mpg combined, similar to the Atlas, but the hybrid is rated up to roughly 35 mpg combined at its most efficient. The 2027 Atlas improved to about 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 23 with 4MOTION — better, but not hybrid territory. If your commute is long, be honest about that gap.

Where the Atlas wins on value is standard content. The 2027 model's base trim includes heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, three-zone climate, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro, and a power liftgate — plus IQ.DRIVE across the lineup. Elsewhere, that list means stepping up two trims.

Should you wait for the all-new 2027 Atlas?

The second-generation Atlas arrives this fall with a revised platform, more power, better fuel economy, a redesigned interior with real wood trim, seven airbags, and much better infotainment.

But 2026 Atlas inventory is on the ground now, it's an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with a five-star overall NHTSA rating, and outgoing-generation pricing is usually the friendliest a model ever sees. Need something before the snow flies? The 2026 is an easy call. Want the newest cabin? Wait for the 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Is the VW Atlas made in America?
Yes — Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Does the Atlas seat eight?
No. It's a seven-seater, with second-row captain's chairs or a bench depending on trim. The Telluride can be configured for eight.

Is there a hybrid Atlas?
Not yet. VW has said hybrid SUVs are coming to the U.S., but the Atlas lineup today is gas-only.

How much can each one tow?
Both are rated up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

See them side by side in Akron

Specs only get you so far with a three-row SUV. The real test is climbing into that third row, checking whether your car seats fit, and driving it on roads you actually use. Browse current Atlas inventory at vwofakron.com, or stop by and take one down West Exchange Street.

Volkswagen of Akron is Northeast Ohio's go-to Volkswagen dealership, proudly serving drivers throughout Akron, Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, and the greater Summit County area. As part of Jay Auto Group, we offer a great selection of new and pre-owned Volkswagen vehicles, an expert service and parts department, and a practical, no-pressure buying experience built around you. Visit us at vwofakron.com or stop by our Akron showroom.