2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

We first got an idea of the GV80 in 2017 at the New York Auto Show when the company debuted a concept. Fast forward to 2021 when we saw the first production model and we knew it would be a hit. Over the past two years, our admiration has only grown. Available in Canada with Advanced or Prestige packages, the GV80 is a midsize luxury SUV with plenty of features, offering stellar value for those who recognize a good deal when they see it.

Verdict: With great styling inside and out, plus a healthy choice of potent powertrains, the Genesis GV80 is an attractive and capable option in the midsize luxury SUV segment. Its technology can require a bit of a learning curve, but there are few true faults with this vehicle.

Volkswagen's efforts to grow its appeal in North America have developed over a long process of trial and error, but VW showed it finally understood this continent’s tastes when it launched the Atlas three-row crossover SUV. And because not everyone needs three rows, VW followed up the standard Atlas with the two-row Cross Sport for the 2020 model year. Both versions get a significant refresh for 2024.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport gets most of the same updates as its three-row sibling, including different styling, more standard features, and the discontinuation of its six-cylinder engine option in favour of a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. These changes are aimed at making the Cross Sport more competitive against other midsize crossovers like the Chevrolet Blazer and Honda Passport, the aged Ford Edge and Nissan Murano, and the more truck-like Jeep Grand Cherokee.

In Canada, the 2024 Atlas Cross Sport lineup includes Comfortline, Highline, and Execline trim levels. We drove the U.S. equivalent of the range-topping Execline for this review.