2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior, highlighted by its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV, measuring over 16 feet in length, exuded a stately presence. Standard 19-inch wheels were available, but the Prestige trim featured impressive 22-inch alloy wheels. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts, and the hands-free liftgate maintained a boxy shape, adding to its elegant appearance, especially in the matte Brunswick Green paint. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats complemented the metal and matte wood trim, while the center console was distinguished by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch, though the 14.5-inch infotainment screen seemed awkwardly placed atop the dash. Despite this minor flaw, the interior was spacious and luxurious, offering a pleasant environment.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh, enhancing its original design with new lighting elements. The most noticeable updates included light-up VW logos, with the front logo shining white and the rear logo red. A front light bar connected to the new LED headlights, giving the Atlas a more Americanized appearance. At the rear, the taillights blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. New wheel designs were introduced across all trim levels, with the SE base model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels and the SEL Premium R-Line boasting 21-inch wheels. The Atlas Peak Edition added an outdoorsy flavor with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique colors like Avocado Green and Pure Gray. Inside, the infotainment touchscreen was redesigned to stand free of the dashboard, and the shifter was reduced to a toggle, creating more functional space. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved fake wood trim and new weaved plastic trim, though some materials felt less premium than expected.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered all-wheel drive with two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly athletic or quick, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, it excelled in highway driving. The power delivery and shifts were smooth, and the electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a serene driving experience.

For 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas reduced its powertrain options to a single 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, part of VW's EA888 family, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Atlas was quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models reaching zero to 60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite the improvements, the Atlas remained a family-oriented vehicle, prioritizing comfort over performance. The ride quality was consistent with previous models, and the 4Motion AWD system was designed primarily for pavement use. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated for 2,000 pounds.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 compensated for its lack of driving excitement with a wealth of features and luxury touches. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with our tester featuring ventilated front and rear seats and the Ergo Motion driver's seat. The Nappa leather seats were sumptuous, and a third row was available, though legroom was limited to 30 inches. The GV80 offered convenience with Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, and a digital key. The tri-zone climate control system and optional 21-speaker stereo system enhanced comfort, while the suede headliner and panoramic glass roof added elegance. The GV80 boasted one of the largest cargo spaces in its class, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas introduced more standard features, including a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats on the base SE trim. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate, while leather upholstery and heated second-row seats became standard on the SEL trim. The Atlas offered seating for seven, with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Second-row captain's chairs were available, reducing seating capacity to six. The Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space varied from 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, offering more space than most rivals.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, accompanied by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the 3D effects seemed gimmicky, the head-up display projected information into the driver's field of view. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome, though it offered a "clicky" feel and handwriting detection. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available but not wireless. The GV80 included wireless charging, four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet, and a 110-volt outlet. The remote smart parking assist allowed the car to maneuver in and out of tight spaces without the driver inside, adding a cool factor.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas gained more standard tech features, including a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard. The Atlas offered six USB-C ports, with up to eight available, including a dash cam port. A head-up display was standard on SEL and higher trims. The premium audio system switched to Harman Kardon, with a 12-speaker system on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, the reliance on haptic touchpads for controls made them less intuitive than traditional buttons.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver's aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. A standout feature was the video feed of the car's blind spot displayed in the digital gauge cluster. The GV80 also featured Highway Drive Assist, which used various systems to provide a hands-on/eyes-up driving aid on approved highways. The NHTSA awarded the GV80 a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it "Good" for crashworthiness and "Superior" for front crash prevention.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS hadn't released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received "Good" scores in most crash tests. The Atlas gained more standard driver-assist features, including VW's IQ.Drive package with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL Premium R-Line added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also included features like automatic post-collision braking and an emergency assist system.