2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a sophisticated atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design with new lighting elements, including light-up VW logos and a front light bar connecting to the LED headlights. These changes gave the Atlas a more American swagger, obscuring its European influences. The rear featured taillights blending into a full-width light bar. The Atlas offered new wheel designs, with the SE base model sporting 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims received larger wheels. The Atlas Peak Edition introduced an outdoorsy flavor with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique colors. Inside, the Atlas featured a revised center console with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist interior design. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved fake wood trim and weaved plastic trim. The SEL Premium R-Line tester showcased diamond stitching and a combination of silver stitching and black upholstery, though some materials felt more suited to a base model.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was standard in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 was available for early-build models but was later discontinued. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The SUV's fuel efficiency was commendable, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, and it averaged 22.3 mpg during testing. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and its adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with its advanced suspension and impressive ground clearance.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas simplified its powertrain options, offering only a 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 and offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Atlas was quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models achieving 0-60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. While the Atlas prioritized comfort and frugality over performance, the four-cylinder engine provided smooth acceleration to highway speeds, albeit with more noise than thrust. Ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh model, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. The Atlas's 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement, lacking low range and underbody protection. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE, which was rated for 2,000 pounds.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with adjustable armrests. The test vehicle featured Windsor leather upholstery, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and optional massage and air purification features. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with narrow door openings and hard front seatback panels. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle's full-size spare limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to secure smaller items.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered 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 were standard on the SEL. The Atlas accommodated seven passengers 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 rows, with the third row offering the best legroom in its class. Cargo space ranged from 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Atlas excelled in cargo space compared to rivals, except for the Chevy Traverse.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in finding and accessing features. The native digital assistant struggled with basic tasks, such as finding nearby locations. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and 1,430 watts of power, along with Active Noise Cancellation. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but challenging to access.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received 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 were standard, with six USB-C ports available. A head-up display was standard on SEL and higher trims. The Atlas switched to a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers on higher trims. The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, VW's reliance on haptic touchpads for controls made them less intuitive to use.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less responsive and smooth than expected, particularly on freeway curves.

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 Atlas included more standard driver-assist features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist for highway driving. The Atlas also featured automatic post-collision braking, a crash response system, and emergency assist.