2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Hyundai Palisade

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from the typical family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not have appealed to everyone, those who appreciated its aesthetics likely found other aspects of the vehicle equally appealing. For 2024, Hyundai Canada offered the Palisade in two trims: Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy, with prices starting at $57,431 and $61,031, respectively. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which was tested, featured luxurious touches such as an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated interior elements, giving it a feel akin to a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas was available in four trim levels in Canada: Comfortline, Peak Edition, Highline, and Execline. The Peak Edition had an off-road appearance, while the Execline was sportier with the most standard equipment. The Atlas Cross Sport, a five-passenger version, offered a more rakish design. Base prices ranged from $50,995 to $60,995. The test vehicle, an Atlas Execline in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, showcased polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and 21-inch wheels, giving it a chiseled and upscale appearance. Inside, the Atlas featured diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood, creating a warm and inviting environment.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The Palisade had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and offered 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance. Various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, were available, and the AWD system could be locked for off-road conditions. The V6 engine provided ample power and satisfying acceleration, with the transmission always in the right gear. The Palisade's suspension was tuned for a firmer ride, offering excellent visibility and handling on mountain roads. However, its real-world fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 15.0 L/100 km in Comfort mode.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, on the other hand, featured a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous V6. This engine produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion AWD system. Despite initial concerns about the engine's power, it proved refined and satisfying for daily driving tasks. The Atlas returned 15.2 L/100 km in city traffic and 12.3 L/100 km over a 110+ kilometre test route. However, the ride quality was less impressive, with a brittle suspension and excessive body motions at highway speeds. The Atlas's handling was predictable, but the tires were the weakest link on winding roads.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a comfortable interior with artificial leather upholstery in the Urban trim and premium Nappa leather in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. Standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof. The Palisade provided configurable storage options and excellent second-row comfort, with captain's chairs available. The third-row seat was more comfortable and roomy than most rivals, with standard heating and air conditioning vents. The hands-free power tailgate was convenient but could be turned off if needed. The Palisade offered 509 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,447 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, with a spacious interior designed for comfort. The Execline model featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, although the leather felt slightly stiff. The second-row bench seat comfortably accommodated three adults, with ample legroom and a proper backrest angle. Access to the third-row seat was outstanding, with generous clearance and adequate leg support. The Atlas offered 583 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,735 litres with the second and third rows folded. Storage space was commendable in all three rows, with practical compartments and cupholders.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. It supported Bluetooth connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although they required a USB-A cable. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included wireless charging and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services were included with a three-year subscription, offering remote engine starting and emergency assistance. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror, semi-autonomous remote parking, and a head-up display.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used VW Group's MIB3 operating system with a 12-inch touchscreen display. However, it lacked traditional stereo and climate controls, relying on touch-sensing buttons and a touch-and-slide volume control. The Atlas's native digital voice assistant was unreliable, making it challenging to tune the radio or request directions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a more user-friendly experience. The Atlas Execline's Harman Kardon audio system was impressive, but the MIB3 system suffered from glitches and a lack of intuitive user experience.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) was standard, offering adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star side-impact rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured IQ.Drive, which included Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick.