2025 Cadillac Escalade vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport showcased a modernized aesthetic with its updated lighting elements, mirroring the three-row Atlas. The front and rear lighting enhancements included illuminated Volkswagen logos, a feature inspired by the all-electric ID.4. The front light bar seamlessly connected the daytime running lights, complementing the new standard LED headlights, which contributed to a contemporary appearance. The rear of the Cross Sport, with its reshaped taillights and lower roofline, offered a silhouette reminiscent of German luxury crossover coupes, setting it apart from other midsize crossovers. Despite being 13 centimetres shorter and sitting lower than the standard Atlas, the Cross Sport maintained a distinctive presence.

Inside, the Cross Sport adopted the same interior revisions as the standard Atlas, featuring a raised centre console and a new electronic shifter. The interior trim carried over from the three-row models, offering standard leatherette upholstery, with leather seats available on higher trims. The top Execline trim boasted quilted leather upholstery with a diamond pattern, although the simulated wood and carbon-fibre-facsimile trim remained plastic. The Cross Sport's interior updates aimed to enhance functionality and aesthetics, despite some limitations in material quality.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, meanwhile, embodied old-school Cadillac luxury with its updated design, further distinguishing itself from its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts. The most significant exterior change was the new front end, aligning the gasoline Escalade stylistically with Cadillac's EVs. The headlights were redesigned as large vertical bars, complemented by smaller horizontal daytime running lights. The rear retained its tall, vertical taillights, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins, and introduced 24-inch wheels for the first time. The Escalade's imposing design emphasized its size and presence on the road.

Inside, Cadillac focused on differentiating the Escalade from other GM full-size SUVs by adopting a screen-centric interior design. The 2025 model featured a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, replacing the previous 38-inch OLED curved display. The interior offered a range of leather options, including semi-aniline leather, and curated motifs for a personalized touch. The Premium Luxury Platinum trim impressed with its Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, showcasing a level of refinement unexpected from a mainstream automaker. The Escalade's interior updates aimed to elevate the luxury experience, despite its shared platform with other GM SUVs.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 3.6-litre VR6, offering slightly less horsepower but more torque, with peak torque arriving earlier at 1,550 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission paired well with the engine, although the engine note was less refined. The Cross Sport's performance was adequate, but it lacked excitement, and the ride quality was not particularly impressive, partly due to the 21-inch wheels on the test car. The maximum towing capacity remained at 2,268 kilograms, standard for a midsize crossover.

In contrast, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered a naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine, producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Escalade-V variant featured a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. All models were equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and efficient gear shifts. The Escalade's performance was robust, with the V8 engine delivering impressive acceleration and a satisfying exhaust note. However, the brakes lacked confidence, and the optional Brembo six-piston front calipers were recommended for enhanced stopping power. The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, with the standard-wheelbase model rated at 3,675 kilograms.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a well-equipped interior with standard features such as heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a power liftgate. The front seats were ventilated and heated, while the Highline trim added heated second-row seats and leather upholstery. The Cross Sport's roofline impacted rear-seat headroom, but legroom was competitive. Cargo space was generous, with 1,141 litres behind the rear seats and 2,197 litres with the seats folded. The cabin was functional, with ample storage space and well-designed cupholders.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade provided ample interior space, with seating for up to eight passengers. The long-wheelbase Escalade ESV offered additional cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade boasted best-in-class first-row headroom and legroom, although second-row and third-row headroom were slightly less than some competitors. Cargo capacity was impressive, with the standard-length model offering 722 litres behind the rear seats and 3,412 litres with the seats folded. The ESV model further increased cargo space, making it a practical choice for families. The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, although it lacked some of the towing features offered by rivals.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was user-friendly, but the haptic touchpads were less intuitive than traditional buttons. The Execline trim included a head-up display and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Cross Sport's tech features were comprehensive, but the user experience could be improved with more tactile controls.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade combined traditional engineering with a high-tech interface, featuring a 55-inch door-to-door display. The infotainment system included a digital instrument cluster, central touchscreen, and front-passenger touchscreen. A 19-speaker AKG audio system was standard, with a 36-speaker version available. The Escalade retained standalone wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the interface was designed for ease of use. The optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for rear passengers, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with standard driver assistance features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Cross Sport's safety features were comprehensive, although IIHS ratings for the 2024 model were not available at the time of publication.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered a range of standard driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system was also available, providing a higher level of automation on mapped roads. The Escalade's safety features were extensive, although current crash test ratings were not available.