2026 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas continues as VW’s North American-market three-row SUV (a two-row Atlas Cross Sport is also available, but we’ll cover that separately), and it’s largely unchanged from its substantial 2024 refresh. What remains, however, is a vehicle that impresses with its upscale appearance and genuinely spacious interior. A stiff ride and poorly executed technology will fight and frustrate you every step of the way, but the Atlas will nonetheless make you look good.

Verdict: The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas delivers on its core promise of style and space at a non-luxury price point. If you can tolerate its sub-par ride quality and maddening infotainment system—or if you simply plan to rely on Apple CarPlay and ignore the native tech—this handsome three-row SUV offers compelling value for shoppers prioritizing looks and space.

You may not have heard much about the Lexus TX, the company’s full-size three-row SUV. Introduced for the 2024 model year, it’s still a young’un compared to its competition, but it’s made its mark by offering a spacious interior and two different powertrains, wrapped in a stylish package.

In Lexus’s seven-model SUV lineup, the TX slots just below the GX and LX—two body-on-frame models focused on off-roading. In Canada, you can snag a gas-powered TX or one with a hybrid powertrain. (Note the test unit for this review, the 550h+ plug-in hybrid, is not yet available in Canada. Lexus plans to sell it here, but not in time for the 2026 model year).

Verdict: The 2026 Lexus TX is a great option for large families that need a spacious third row, but some of the technology comes with a steep learning curve.