2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, which originated from the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept first introduced in 2013. This update included new lighting elements, most notably the light-up VW logos similar to those seen on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. Additionally, 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 fresh "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo.

The 2024 Atlas lineup featured new wheel designs across all trim levels. The base Comfortline model sported 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Highline and Execline trims boasted 20-inch and 21-inch wheels, respectively, with sportier styling elements. The Atlas Peak Edition, introduced for 2024, added an outdoorsy touch with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior features. Inside, the Atlas received a revised look, with changes focused on the centre of the cabin. The infotainment touchscreen was now freestanding, and the shifter was reduced to a tiny toggle, creating more functional interior space. Volkswagen aimed to elevate the interior's upscale feel with improved materials, although some areas, like the centre console, fell short of expectations.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized its sporty character within the Range Rover family. It stood taller than most vehicles on the road, but its shorter wheelbase and chopped top gave it a more athletic appearance compared to the traditional Range Rover. Large front air intakes and fake vents on the hood and front fenders contributed to its sporty look, although from certain angles, it appeared a bit too tall and narrow. The 2025 model year lineup included Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with the SV Edition Two being the highest-performance model.

The SV Edition Two featured 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood with an exposed patch, adding to its performance-oriented design. Despite its subtle exterior, the interior boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up "SV" inserts, and illuminated steering-wheel paddle shifters. The minimalist aesthetic extended to the dashboard and centre console, with only a touchscreen, stubby shifter, and engine start button interrupting the smoothness. The high console, dash, and door panels created a cockpit-like feel, although it made the front seats feel slightly cramped. Material quality met luxury segment standards, but the use of reflective piano black plastic was excessive.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine, an iteration of VW's EA888, produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The Atlas claimed improved acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 8.5 seconds, thanks to the additional torque over the previous VR6 engine.

While the Atlas prioritized comfort and frugality over performance, the four-cylinder engine delivered smooth power delivery, albeit with more noise than thrust. Ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh model, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. However, the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement, lacking low range and underbody protection for serious off-roading. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), matching most rivals.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD). The base Dynamic SE model featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid variant based on this engine delivered 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim offered a more powerful plug-in hybrid with 543 hp and 590 lb-ft. Additionally, a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine was available, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft.

The SV Edition Two pushed the V8's output to 626 hp, making it the most powerful production Range Rover model. It achieved 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 290 km/h. The Range Rover Sport excelled in handling, thanks to its sport-tuned air suspension, four-wheel steering, and brake-based torque vectoring. It offered a luxurious ride at normal speeds and impressive agility. Off-road capabilities were supported by the Terrain Response system, hill descent control, and ascent control, with the Autobiography trim featuring a two-speed transfer case for low range.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a power liftgate. Seating for seven was standard, with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on higher trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with the third-row legroom being the best in its class.

Cargo space was generous, with 2,735 litres available with the second and third rows folded, 1,571 litres with the third row stowed, and 583 litres with all seats in place. The Atlas offered more cargo space than most rivals, except for the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, was a two-row five-seater. Front-seat occupants enjoyed similar headroom to other midsize luxury SUVs, while rear-seat headroom was only slightly impacted by the sloping roof. The Sport provided adequate legroom, with reclining rear seats and 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and memory.

Cargo space measured 835 litres behind the second row, matching the Lexus RX but falling short of competitors like the MDX, X5, GLE, and GV80. With the rear seats folded, the Sport offered 1,860 litres of cargo space. The Sport's maximum towing capacity was 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds) for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 3,000 kilograms (6,614 pounds).

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas featured a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as standard, along with wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six USB-C ports were standard, with up to eight available. A head-up display was standard on the Execline trim. The premium audio system, now from Harman Kardon, included 12 speakers on higher trims.

The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, the reliance on haptic touchpads for controls like audio volume and headlights made them less intuitive to use.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport shared its screen setup with the larger Range Rover, featuring a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The screens looked impressive, but the minimalist design left few physical controls, making some functions less convenient.

Steering wheel controls offered limited alternatives, but the Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition Two featured "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, providing a unique audio experience, although it felt somewhat gimmicky.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS had not released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received high scores in most crash tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, although the parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.