2024 Mazda CX-30 vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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.

Introduced in 2020 and continually updated and upgraded since then, the CX-30 is Mazda’s smallest crossover SUV. This year, the 2024 CX-30 comes in new a new Suna trim level, adds USB-C charging ports, and is available with a larger infotainment screen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. All CX-30s have standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and you can upgrade to a turbocharged engine for more power and performance.

Verdict: Sticking to its corporate traditions with the 2024 CX-30, Mazda delivers style, refinement, safety, and rewarding driving dynamics in the small crossover SUV segment. As expected, rear-seat room and cargo space are tight, but otherwise, the Mazda CX-30 is a delightful little SUV.