2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

In Canada, the 2023 Land Rover Defender significantly outsold the Discovery, with a preference for its boxy, classic truck design reminiscent of the old LR4. The Defender's aesthetic was defined by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood, and doors, with steep angles on the windshield and bumper. It featured tasteful nods to the original 1980s model, such as skylights and faux-metal step plates. Available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—the Defender offered unmatched versatility. Its interior focused on function and durability, with rubber and plastic materials, exposed screws, and a basic design, maintaining its hardcore character despite its high price.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh, adding new lighting elements and light-up VW logos. The front light bar connected to new LED headlights, giving the Atlas a more American look. At the rear, taillights blended into a full-width light bar. New wheel designs were introduced across all trims, with the Peak Edition adding an outdoorsy flavour. The interior saw a revised centre console with a free-standing infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist design. Volkswagen aimed to make the interior more upscale with improved materials and stitching, though some areas still felt less premium.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled off-road, with impressive grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its turbocharged inline-six and supercharged V8 engines provided strong performance, with the V8 delivering 518 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. The six-cylinder engine, part of a mild hybrid system, offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. However, the Defender's on-road performance was less refined, with noticeable body roll and wind noise. Fuel economy varied, with the V8 being the least efficient.

For 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas offered a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada, provided a smoother driving experience. The Atlas focused on comfort and practicality, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. While not designed for serious off-roading, the Atlas offered a balanced ride for family use.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender stood out with its flexible seating configurations, accommodating up to eight passengers. The Defender 90 could seat six with a jump seat, while the 110 and 130 offered additional seating options. Cargo space varied across models, with the 130 providing up to 2,180 litres with seats folded. The Defender also featured practical accessories like a metal roof rack and console refrigerator.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas provided standard seating for seven, with options for second-row captain's chairs. It offered competitive headroom and legroom across all rows, with a focus on passenger comfort. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,735 litres available with seats folded. The Atlas balanced passenger and cargo space effectively, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems with Pivi Pro software. The standard 10-inch screen and optional 11.4-inch screen offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additional features included heated seats, a Meridian sound system, and a head-up display on higher trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas came with a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. Wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto were included. The Atlas upgraded to a Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims, and the infotainment system was user-friendly, though haptic touchpads were less intuitive.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP but lacked ratings from U.S. agencies. It included six airbags and standard safety features like lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included a 360-degree camera system and head-up display.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It offered standard driver assistance features such as forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system. Emergency features included automatic post-collision braking and a crash response system.