2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was designed to project a sportier image within the Range Rover lineup. Its tall stance was complemented by a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. Large front air intakes and faux vents on the hood and fenders added to its sporty look, although from certain angles, it appeared a bit too tall and narrow. The SV Edition Two, the highest-performance model, featured 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood, enhancing its sleek design. Inside, the minimalist aesthetic was highlighted by red leather upholstery and illuminated features, though the high console and dash created a somewhat cramped feel.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas, particularly in the Execline trim, boasted a chiseled and muscular appearance with polished aluminum detailing and sizable 21-inch wheels. Its Mountain Lake Blue exterior resisted dirt, maintaining a clean look. Inside, the Atlas offered a warm and inviting environment with diamond-stitched leather and metallic accents. The digital instrumentation and large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience, although the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and volume were less satisfying to use. The Atlas's design focused on comfort and practicality, making it a strong contender for families.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrains, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 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 increased output to 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim offered a more powerful plug-in hybrid with 543 hp and 590 lb-ft. A BMW-sourced twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8, producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft, was available for the Dynamic SE and Autobiography models. The SV Edition Two pushed the V8's output to 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and reached a top speed of 290 km/h. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both on-road performance and off-road capability, with features like Terrain Response and air suspension enhancing its versatility.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW's 4Motion AWD system, the engine offered a refined driving experience. Despite initial concerns about its power, the engine proved adequate for daily driving tasks, especially when utilizing the Sport mode. The Atlas returned fuel economy figures of 15.2 L/100 km in the city and 12.3 L/100 km overall during testing. However, the ride quality was less impressive, with the suspension feeling brittle over rough surfaces and excessive body motions at highway speeds. The Atlas's handling was predictable, with the brakes performing well under stress, but the overall driving experience was less refined compared to its competitors.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a spacious two-row, five-seater configuration. Front-seat occupants enjoyed ample headroom, while rear-seat headroom was only slightly impacted by the sloping roof. The Sport provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,860 litres with the seats folded. Although it lacked a split tailgate, power operation and an "access height" setting made loading easier. The Sport's towing capacity of 3,500 kg for turbo-six and V8 models was competitive, though plug-in hybrids were rated at 3,000 kg.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, offering one of the most comfortable third-row seats in its class. The Execline model featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, with excellent outward visibility. The second-row bench seat 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. 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. Storage space was commendable throughout the cabin, making the Atlas a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with standard wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The minimalist design, while visually appealing, had functional drawbacks, as many controls were embedded in the touchscreen. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition Two included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, offering a unique, albeit slightly gimmicky, experience.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used VW Group's MIB3 operating system, accessible through a 12-inch touchscreen. While it lacked traditional knobs and buttons, the system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native digital voice assistant was unreliable, making smartphone integration essential for a better user experience. The Atlas Execline's Harman Kardon audio system delivered excellent sound quality, but the MIB3 system's glitches and lack of intuitive controls detracted from the overall experience.

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

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured IQ.Drive, a suite of standard driver assistance features, including Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS "Top Safety Pick." The IQ.Drive systems were accurate and refined, providing a trustworthy driving experience.