2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept from 2013. This update included new lighting elements, such as 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 Comfortline base model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, the Highline 20-inch wheels, and the Execline 21-inch wheels, along with sportier styling elements. The Atlas Peak Edition, introduced for 2024, added an outdoorsy flavour with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior colours like Avocado Green and Pure Grey. Inside, the Atlas received a revised look, with changes focused around 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 make the interior feel more upscale with improved fake wood trim and a new weaved plastic trim simulating carbon fibre. Leatherette seats were standard, while leather upholstery with contrast stitching was available on Highline models. The Execline model featured diamond stitching, but some areas, like the centre console, had cheaper-looking stitching, and the overall material quality seemed more fitting for a base model.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV that featured an exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers. Despite these unique touches, the RX's design remained unremarkable, with a large front grille and a dramatic rear haunches swell. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+. The RX 350h was the base model, offering 246 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency. The RX 500h delivered 366 hp and a sportier performance, while the RX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid with an estimated 60 km of electric-only driving range. All models came with standard all-wheel drive in Canada, and the RX 350h offered various packages, while the RX 500h had F Sport Performance options. The RX 450h+ was available exclusively with the Executive package. The RX's interior featured quality materials and ambient lighting, with ergonomically designed controls. Lexus avoided the single curved display trend, opting for a more traditional layout. However, the RX's design was heavily dependent on the chosen version and colour/wheel combination.

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 was quicker than the six-cylinder 2023 model, with a 0-100 km/h time of approximately 8.5 seconds. While the driving experience focused on comfort and frugality, the four-cylinder engine provided smooth acceleration to highway speeds, albeit with more noise than thrust. The ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh Atlas, 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. The Atlas had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms, standard in Canada, matching most rivals but falling short of the Nissan Pathfinder's 2,720 kilograms.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying performance levels. The RX 350h was the least powerful but most efficient, with 246 hp and 233 pound-feet of torque from a hybrid powertrain. The RX 450h+ PHEV featured a larger battery pack and a more powerful electric motor, producing 304 hp and achieving a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds. The RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 0-100 km/h time of 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. While the RX 500h offered impressive acceleration and a rewarding drivetrain, it was less fuel-efficient, averaging 13.5 L/100 km in testing. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension provided a firm ride, but it didn't control body motions as expected. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic communication, making it more about sporty appearance than overall capability.

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. The bench could hold three child seats side by side and tilt and slide forward with them in place. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on Highline and Execline trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space varied from 2,735 litres with the second and third rows folded to 583 litres with all seats in place. The Atlas offered more cargo space than most rivals, except the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h's heated and ventilated front seats felt snug due to enhanced bolstering, and the bottom cushions were uncomfortable on long drives. The panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, which featured optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated seats. The RX provided ample room for adults in the back seat. Interior storage was practical, but the rear centre armrest storage compartment lacked lining, causing noise and vibration. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding down the second row created 1,308 litres of cargo volume, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas came with more standard tech features, including a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 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 Execline trims. The Atlas switched from Fender to Harman Kardon for its premium audio systems, with a 12-speaker system on higher trims. The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, VW's reliance on haptic touchpads for controls made them more challenging to use.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury expectations with high-tech features. The RX 500h F Sport Black Line included digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The RX 500h featured a 14-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Lexus Interface infotainment system was advanced, with a volume knob and large dials for climate control. However, the unlabeled steering wheel controls were distracting and dangerous to use while driving. The RX 500h's optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system sounded excellent, but the steering wheel controls were frustrating.

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 hadn't released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received a "Good" score 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 Atlas also had features like automatic post-collision braking and an emergency assist feature.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency assistance button, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX Hybrid also featured blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to ensure safe distances. The RX Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it poorly in the updated moderate overlap frontal-impact test.