2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, which dates back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept from 2013. This update introduced new lighting elements, including 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 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. All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the Comfortline base model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, the Highline boasting 20-inch wheels, and the Execline sporting 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 trim. Inside, the cabin received a revised look, with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist interior design that contrasted with the truck-like exterior. Volkswagen aimed to elevate the interior's upscale feel with improved materials and stitching, although some areas still felt less premium.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas was available in four trim levels in Canada: Comfortline, Peak Edition, Highline, and Execline. The Peak Edition had an off-road-ready appearance, while the Execline was the sportiest with the most standard equipment. A five-passenger version, the Atlas Cross Sport, offered a more rakish design but shared similarities with the three-row Atlas. Base prices ranged from $50,995 to $60,995, excluding destination charges and fees. The Atlas Execline, tested in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, sat at the top of the price range. The Execline's polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and 21-inch wheels with a machined finish gave it a chiseled, upscale appearance. Inside, the premium feel continued with diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood, creating a warm and inviting environment. Digital instrumentation and a large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience. However, the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and stereo volume were less satisfying to use, especially in colder weather.

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 on regular fuel, compared to the previous VR6's 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The new engine, part of VW's EA888 family, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The additional torque, peaking at 1,550 rpm, made the 2024 Atlas quicker than the six-cylinder 2023 model, with a claimed 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. Ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh Atlas, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. The 4Motion AWD system, designed primarily for pavement, could send up to 50% of torque to the front or rear axles. The maximum towing capacity remained at 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), matching most rivals.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas continued with the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine introduced in the previous model year. This engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, replaced the previous V6 and promised better fuel economy. The eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion AWD system remained standard. Initially, the engine seemed underpowered for the Atlas's size, but experience with rivals' turbo-fours led to acceptance of VW's decision. The engine was refined, similar to the base engine in the Audi Q7, and offered a satisfying torque curve between 1,600 rpm and 4,500 rpm. Sport mode enhanced the driving experience but negatively impacted fuel economy. During testing, the Atlas returned 15.2 litres per 100 kilometres in urban conditions and 12.3 L/100 km over a 110+ kilometre route. The official ratings for the Execline trim were 12.8 L/100 km city and 11.3 L/100 km combined. Ride quality remained a concern, with the suspension feeling brittle over road imperfections and excessive body motions at highway speeds. However, handling was predictable, and the brakes performed well under duress.

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 accommodate 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 third-row bench was 50/50 split-folding. Headroom and legroom were competitive across all three rows, with the Atlas offering 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 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, offering a comfortable third-row seat and a cavernous cargo area. The Execline model's front seats were heated, ventilated, and massaging, providing comfort and support. Outward visibility was excellent, aided by a surround-view camera system. The second-row bench seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample leg-, foot-, and headroom. Access to the third-row seat was outstanding, with generous clearance and adequate leg support. Storage space was commendable in all three rows, with practical compartments and cupholders. The cargo area offered 583 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 1,571 litres with the third row folded and 2,735 litres with the second row down. While the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia offered slightly more cargo space, the Atlas's third-row seating was more appealing.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas featured more standard tech, 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 Harman Kardon premium audio system replaced the previous Fender system, offering a 12-speaker setup on higher trims. The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, haptic touchpads for functions like audio volume and headlights lacked feedback, making them less intuitive.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used VW Group's third-generation Modular Infotainment Toolkit (MIB3) operating system, accessible through a 12-inch touchscreen. Car-Net connected service plans enhanced the technology. The Atlas lacked traditional stereo and climate controls, relying on touch-sensing buttons and a touch-and-slide volume control. Volume and tuning rocker switches were on the steering wheel but were easy to overlook. The Atlas's native digital voice assistant was unreliable, making tasks like tuning the radio challenging. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided a more satisfying experience, offering a conversational digital voice assistant and music streaming. The Harman Kardon audio system was impressive, but the MIB3 system had user-experience glitches, such as incorrect song titles on SiriusXM radio. Overall, the MIB3 system was not user-friendly, and the voice recognition system was inadequate, making smartphone integration a better option.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn't released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received a "Good" score in most crash tests. Standard driver assistance 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 featured automatic post-collision braking, a crash response system, and an emergency assist feature.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas came with standard driver assistance features under the IQ.Drive umbrella, including Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a rear cross-traffic alert system were also standard. Front Assist included forward collision warning, pedestrian warning, and automatic emergency braking. Lane Assist encompassed lane-departure warning and lane-keep assist. Side Assist was a blind-spot monitoring system. Travel Assist paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist for semi-automated driving. Emergency Assist detected unresponsive drivers and brought the Atlas to a safe stop. Volkswagen Canada provided an eight-year subscription to Car-Net Safe & Secure services, including automatic crash notification and SOS emergency assistance. The 2025 Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS "Top Safety Pick."