Subaru Ascent vs Volkswagen Atlas: reliability compared
From 2019 to 2026, owners filed an average of 131 complaints per model year about the Subaru Ascent and 196 about the Volkswagen Atlas.
Side by side
| Subaru Ascent | Volkswagen Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2019-2026 | 2019-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 1,048 | 1,570 |
| Complaints per model year | 131 | 196 |
| Recalls | 13 | 38 |
| Years to avoid | 20192020 | None stand out |
| Best years | None stand out | 20202022 |
| Most common problem | Electrical | Electrical |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 21-22 mpg combined (2026) | 21-23 mpg combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Ascent | Atlas | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | 293 | 388 |
| Visibility | 207 | 36 |
| Transmission | 191 | 99 |
| Engine | 107 | 285 |
| Brakes | 85 | 289 |
| Driver assistance | 73 | 259 |
| Airbags | 21 | 276 |
| Fuel system | 38 | 123 |
Questions about the Subaru Ascent vs Volkswagen Atlas
Which is more reliable, the Subaru Ascent or the Volkswagen Atlas?
Between 2019 and 2026, the Subaru Ascent has 2 years to avoid and the Volkswagen Atlas 0. The Volkswagen Atlas has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Subaru Ascent drew fewer complaints per model year (131 vs 196), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Subaru Ascent or the Volkswagen Atlas?
From 2019 to 2026, the Subaru Ascent was covered by 13 recalls and the Volkswagen Atlas by 38.
What years of the Subaru Ascent and Volkswagen Atlas should you avoid?
Subaru Ascent: 2019 and 2020. Volkswagen Atlas: no year stands out.
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