2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented itself as a formidable contender in the luxury SUV market, challenging the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz with its sophisticated design and high-quality materials. Mazda had surpassed its Japanese counterparts, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota, in terms of design and material quality, edging closer to the luxury arms of those brands. The CX-90's exterior was a supersized version of the elegant design language seen in the smaller CX-30 and CX-5, featuring a big grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels that commanded attention. Inside, the top-tier models boasted interiors that could rival luxury brands, with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic bits, creating an upscale atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas offered a more rugged and muscular appearance, particularly in its Peak Edition trim, which was designed for off-roading. The Execline trim, with its polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and sizable 21-inch wheels, exuded a chiseled and upscale look. The Mountain Lake Blue exterior colour resisted dirt, maintaining its pristine appearance. Inside, the Atlas continued its premium feel with diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood, creating a warm and inviting environment. However, the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and stereo volume were less satisfying to use, especially in colder conditions.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the upgraded version in the GT-P and Signature trims increased power to 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. All models featured all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 Signature trim offered three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with noticeable differences in behaviour between Normal and Sport modes. The PHEV model, with a 2.5-litre engine, 17.8-kWh battery, and 68-kW electric motor, produced 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, offering an all-electric range of 42 kilometres.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous V6 option. With 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, the engine provided adequate performance for daily driving tasks. The Atlas's engine was refined, similar to the base engine in the Audi Q7, and offered a satisfying experience when surfing the maximum torque curve. However, the ride quality was less impressive, with the suspension feeling brittle over road imperfections and excessive body motions at highway speeds. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas's handling was predictable on mountain roads, with the brakes resisting rumble and fade under duress.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a range of seating configurations, with the lowest trims seating eight passengers and the mid-level trims featuring captain's chairs for seven. The Turbo Signature trim had an exclusive six-seat configuration. Cargo space varied depending on the seating arrangement, with up to 2,129 litres available in models with a two-seater third row. While the CX-90 improved on the CX-9's cargo capacity, it still fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. However, the CX-90's interior featured clever storage options, comfortable seats, and a panoramic sunroof, creating a pleasant environment.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, offering perhaps the most comfortable third-row seat in its class. The Execline model's front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing comfort and support. The second-row bench seat accommodated three adults comfortably, 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-row folded. While competitors like the Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse offered slightly more cargo capacity, the Atlas's third-row seating was more appealing.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on eliminating distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to reduce distraction, the system's quirks and idiosyncrasies often led to frustration. However, the CX-90 offered personalization software that adjusted settings based on facial recognition, and standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay provided familiar interfaces. The rotary controller worked with these systems, but touchscreen controls were available for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured VW Group's third-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3) operating system, accessible through a 12-inch touchscreen display. The lack of traditional stereo and climate controls with knobs and buttons made the system less user-friendly. The Atlas's native digital voice assistant was unreliable, making tasks like tuning the radio difficult. However, standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided a more satisfying experience, with a conversational digital voice assistant and music streaming. The Atlas Execline's Harman Kardon audio system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec CX-90 Signature also featured cruising and traffic support, blending lane-centring with adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were not available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on the CX-9's accolades.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas included standard driver assistance features under the IQ.Drive umbrella, such as Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. The Atlas also featured adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a rear cross-traffic alert system. Volkswagen Canada provided an eight-year subscription to Car-Net Safe & Secure services, offering automatic crash notification and SOS emergency assistance. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was a 2024 IIHS "Top Safety Pick."