2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Cadillac Escalade

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept of 2013. This update included new lighting elements, most notably the light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of the new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a new "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the base Comfortline model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, the Highline 20-inch wheels, and the Execline 21-inch wheels with sportier styling elements. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering a more rugged appearance with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior colours. Inside, the Atlas received a revised look, with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a smaller shifter, creating more functional interior space. Volkswagen aimed to elevate the interior's upscale feel with improved materials, although some areas still felt more suited to a base model.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade, aside from the low-volume Celestiq EV, was the largest and most expensive Cadillac available. Since its debut as a 1999 model, the Escalade had become synonymous with old-school Cadillac luxury, replacing models like the Fleetwoods and DeVilles. The 2025 design further distinguished the Escalade from its Chevrolet and GMC counterparts, with a new front end that brought it stylistically closer to Cadillac's EVs. The headlights were large vertical bars with smaller horizontal daytime running lights, while the rear retained tall, vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. For the first time, 24-inch wheels were available, complementing the vehicle's massive design. Cadillac offered various trim levels, including the performance-oriented Escalade-V. Inside, Cadillac worked to conceal the shared platform with other GM SUVs, featuring a screen-centric interior design with a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard. The Escalade offered a range of luxurious interior options, including curated motifs and high-quality materials. The Premium Luxury Platinum test car impressed with its Whisper Beige upholstery and wood trim, showcasing Cadillac's commitment to luxury.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offering more torque than the previous VR6 engine. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Atlas claimed improved acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 8.5 seconds. While the driving experience focused on comfort and frugality, the engine provided smooth power delivery, albeit with noticeable noise. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, comparable to most rivals.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade dropped the Duramax turbodiesel option, leaving the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 engine as the sole choice. This engine delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the Escalade-V featured a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 with 682 hp and 653 lb-ft of torque. All models came with a 10-speed automatic transmission, ensuring smooth power delivery. In Canada, four-wheel drive was standard, with the Escalade-V featuring a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system. The Escalade offered impressive acceleration and a satisfying V8 sound, but its brakes lacked confidence. Cadillac provided a Performance Upgrade Package with Brembo brakes for enhanced stopping power.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats. Seating for seven was standard, with a second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Optional second-row captain's chairs reduced seating capacity to six. The Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with the best third-row legroom in its class. Cargo space varied from 583 litres with all seats in place to 2,735 litres with the second and third rows folded.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade was available in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase configurations, with the ESV offering more cargo space and third-row legroom. The Escalade provided ample interior space, with best-in-class first-row headroom and legroom. Cargo capacity ranged from 722 litres behind the rear seats to 3,412 litres behind the front seats in the standard model, with even more space in the ESV. The Escalade's towing capacity was competitive, although it lacked some towing features offered by rivals.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas featured a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Atlas offered up to eight USB-C ports and a head-up display on the Execline trim. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics, although haptic touchpads for controls were less intuitive.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade boasted a 55-inch display spanning the dashboard, incorporating a digital instrument cluster, infotainment 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, with user-friendly controls and haptic feedback. The optional Executive Second Row Package added luxury features for rear passengers.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with standard driver assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Atlas also included emergency features like automatic post-collision braking and a crash response system.

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade offered 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 available, although crash test ratings were not available at the time of writing.