Volkswagen Tiguan vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport showcased a refreshed design that mirrored the styling updates of its three-row sibling, the Atlas. It featured new lighting elements at both the front and rear, with the Volkswagen logos on the grille and tailgate now illuminated in white and red, respectively. This lighting innovation was first seen on the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4. The front of the Cross Sport was modernized with a light bar connecting the daytime running lights, complemented by standard LED headlights. The rear design was distinctive, with reshaped taillights blending into a rear light bar that housed the second illuminated VW logo. The Cross Sport's silhouette was more akin to the "crossover coupes" of German luxury brands, thanks to its lower roofline and shorter length compared to the standard Atlas. New wheel designs were introduced across all trim levels, with options ranging from 18-inch to 21-inch wheels. The interior saw revisions, including a raised centre console and a new electronic shifter, enhancing storage space. The cabin featured standard leatherette upholstery, with higher trims offering leather and quilted leather options, though the simulated wood and carbon-fibre-facsimile trim remained plastic.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, marking the beginning of its third generation. It adopted a sleek, modern aesthetic inspired by VW's electric vehicle lineup, particularly evident in the front with narrower headlights and a plastic trim element reminiscent of the ID.4 EV. The grille appeared larger, with smaller actual openings and prominent air intakes. The side profile featured a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black contrasting roof and dark-tinted windows. The rear showcased a single bar taillight spanning the liftgate, with illuminated logos on the top trim. The interior was modernized with a tablet-like infotainment display and a digital instrument panel. The dashboard was more minimalist, with physical climate controls relocated to the bottom of the central touchscreen. The gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space. Materials quality was average for the class, with soft-touch materials in key areas and durable plastics in the rear. The Tiguan's interior improvements included the elimination of capacitive-touch buttons, reverting to traditional controls for ease of use.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 3.6-litre VR6, offering slightly less horsepower but more torque. The new engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Motion all-wheel drive in Canada. The turbo-four provided better performance, with peak torque arriving earlier than the VR6. Although the engine was an upgrade for many buyers, it was noted for its noise-to-power ratio, often making its efforts audible. The Cross Sport's driving experience was described as unexciting, with mediocre ride quality, potentially due to the 21-inch wheels on the test car. The maximum towing capacity remained at 2,268 kilograms, standard for a midsize crossover.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. This was an increase in horsepower but a decrease in torque compared to the previous model. The engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard 4Motion all-wheel drive in Canada. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to its predecessor, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 8.5 seconds. The drivetrain delivered power smoothly and linearly, with improved braking and suspension tuning for comfort. The Tiguan's cabin was quiet, with well-silenced tire and wind noise. While not sporty, the Tiguan was appropriately tuned for a balance of performance and comfort. A more powerful Turbo version was anticipated for 2026, offering increased output for spirited drivers. A hybrid powertrain was also teased for future release.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received additional standard equipment, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate, a tow hitch, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated and heated front seats were standard, with heated second-row seats and leather upholstery on the Highline trim. The Cross Sport's roofline impacted rear-seat headroom, but legroom was competitive. Cargo space was generous, with 1,141 litres behind the rear seats and 2,197 litres with the seats folded. The cabin was functional, with ample storage in the centre console and door pockets.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, increasing second-row legroom by nearly 4 centimetres. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The interior improvements included the removal of capacitive-touch buttons, reverting to traditional controls for ease of use. The centre console offered more storage, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity behind the first row was 1,668 litres, though capacity behind the second row was not finalized. The angled liftgate limited loading of bulkier items, but deep pockets provided secure storage. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate were standard on most trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The infotainment system featured intuitive layouts and well-designed graphics but was hindered by haptic touchpads instead of conventional buttons. Six USB-C ports were standard, with a head-up display and Harman Kardon premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display on the top trim. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were complemented by a wireless phone charger with a cooling fan. Capacitive-touch sliders adorned the infotainment screen frame, but a new volume knob on the centre console improved usability. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available on the top trim. VW's Car-Net system offered remote monitoring and control.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Travel Assist. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system. All models featured post-collision braking, VW's crash response system, and an emergency assist feature.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not available at the time of writing. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, safe passenger exit warnings, parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The Emergency Assist system and post-collision braking were also included. The Highline R-Line trim added a head-up display, surround-view camera system, and traffic sign reader. Safety features functioned as expected, with no false alarms or oversensitivity issues.