2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in Canada in XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, maintained its bold, boxy design from its 2024 debut. Its long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose gave it a distinctive presence, complemented by pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps that aligned with Hyundai's design language. The SUV offered vibrant colours like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue, breaking away from the typical greyscale of many SUVs. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal, detracting from an otherwise cohesive aesthetic. Each trim featured unique wheels, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, and the XRT trim added off-road elements like chrome and black trim and black roof rails. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which offered captain's chairs in the second row. The interior materials varied from leatherette to Nappa leather, but some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing. The physical HVAC dials were appreciated, though the fan speed controls were less intuitive.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, offered in Comfortline, Peak Edition, Highline, and Execline trims, presented a robust and upscale appearance with polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and 21-inch wheels. The Execline trim, tested in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, showcased a chiseled and muscular design that aged well. The colour choice effectively concealed dirt, maintaining a clean look. Inside, the Atlas exuded luxury with diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood, creating a warm atmosphere. The digital instrumentation and large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience, though the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and stereo volume were less satisfying. The Atlas's handling was predictable, with the brakes performing well under stress, but the ride quality was compromised by a brittle suspension and excessive body motions at highway speeds.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, with AWD standard across the lineup. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission managed the shifting, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-litre engine with an electric motor for 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, also with standard AWD. The Santa Fe handled corners well, with firm brakes and responsive steering, but the gear selector on the steering column required acclimatization. The XRT trim, with 30-inch all-terrain tires and increased ground clearance, offered improved off-road geometry, though it wasn't suited for rugged terrain.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas transitioned to a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous V6, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial skepticism, the engine proved refined and capable, especially when utilizing the generous torque curve between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm. Sport mode enhanced the driving experience but impacted fuel economy. During testing, the Atlas returned 15.2 L/100 km in urban conditions and 12.3 L/100 km overall, slightly above official ratings. The ride quality was a concern, with the suspension feeling brittle over road imperfections and excessive body motions at highway speeds. However, the Atlas's handling was predictable, with the brakes performing well under stress.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class. The second-row seats featured adjustable cushion angles, and both the second and third rows could be folded for increased cargo space. With the third row folded, the Santa Fe provided 1,148 litres of space, expanding to 2,267 litres with the second row down. Even with all seats occupied, 413 litres of cargo space remained. The widened liftgate facilitated loading, and most trims could tow 1,587 kilograms, with the XRT trim capable of 2,040 kilograms.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas prioritized passenger comfort, with a spacious and comfortable third-row seat. The Execline model's front seats offered heating, ventilation, and massage functions, though the leather felt slightly stiff. Visibility was excellent, aided by a surround-view camera system. The second-row bench accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample legroom and a panoramic sunroof overhead. Access to the third row was easy, and the seat provided adequate leg support. Storage space was generous across all rows, with practical compartments and cupholders. The Atlas offered 583 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,571 litres with the third row folded and 2,735 litres with the second row down.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a digital gauge cluster, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Navigation was available on higher trims, and multiple USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad were included. The digital key feature allowed phone or watch access, and Bluelink app connectivity offered remote control and monitoring features. Over-the-air updates ensured up-to-date software.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas utilized VW's MIB3 operating system on a 12-inch touchscreen, with Car-Net connected services. The lack of traditional controls was a drawback, with touch-sensitive buttons for temperature and volume. The native voice assistant was unreliable, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided a better experience. The Harman Kardon audio system was impressive, but the MIB3 system suffered from glitches and a non-intuitive interface.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision avoidance. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance and Highway Drive Assist. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it "Good" in most categories.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas included IQ.Drive features like Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, and Travel Assist. Adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, and Emergency Assist could bring the vehicle to a safe stop. The Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS "Top Safety Pick."