2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was a blend of subtlety and sportiness. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels, maintained a low profile, lacking any overt hybrid indicators. In contrast, the RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, signaling its performance-oriented nature. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not universally praised, with its front-heavy appearance and reduced rear overhang making it look smaller than its predecessor. Inside, the RX embraced minimalism, with fewer controls and a modern infotainment system, complemented by ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury's interior boasted Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a darker, sportier cabin with optional Rioja Red upholstery.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that modernized its appearance with new lighting elements, including light-up VW logos and a front light bar. These changes gave the Atlas a more Americanized look, moving away from its European roots. The Atlas offered new wheel designs across its trims, with the SEL Premium R-Line featuring 21-inch wheels. The introduction of the Atlas Peak Edition added an adventurous touch with all-terrain tires and unique exterior colors. Inside, the Atlas saw a revised center console with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist design. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved materials, though some areas still felt less premium. The SEL Premium R-Line's diamond-stitched upholstery added a touch of luxury, but the overall material quality was more fitting for a base model.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h, with its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, making it efficient yet less powerful than its predecessor. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, delivered a more exhilarating experience with its turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, producing 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It reached 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but sacrificed fuel efficiency, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering enhanced its athleticism, making it a joy to drive in Sport mode.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas simplified its powertrain options, offering a single 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 269 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, providing a noticeable improvement over the previous VR6 engine. The Atlas accelerated to 60 mph in eight seconds for FWD models and 8.3 seconds for AWD models. While not a performance powerhouse, the Atlas prioritized comfort and practicality, with a smooth yet noisy engine. The 4Motion AWD system was designed for pavement, lacking off-road capabilities. The Atlas maintained a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid excelled in comfort and practicality. The RX 350h Luxury featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, offering a luxurious experience. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way adjustable seats with standard-grade leather and larger bolsters. Both models provided heated and ventilated front seats and effective climate control. The hybrid's battery placement under the rear seat improved leg support but compromised rear headroom. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing its predecessor but still lagging behind some rivals.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas prioritized interior space and versatility. It offered seating for seven with a second-row bench that could accommodate three child seats and slide for added flexibility. Captain's chairs were available, reducing seating to six. The Atlas boasted competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with the third row offering the best legroom in its class. Cargo space was generous, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 96.6 cubic feet with both rows down, surpassing most competitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription plans for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered cloud-based navigation, voice assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system had limitations, such as single-screen viewing and reflective screens. The available head-up display with touch-sensing control pads posed challenges for users wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas enhanced its tech offerings with a standard 12-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto were standard, along with multiple USB-C ports. The Atlas featured a Harman Kardon audio system on higher trims, providing a premium sound experience. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital cluster. However, haptic touchpads for controls lacked feedback, making them less intuitive.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, enhancing safety and convenience. However, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had limitations.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with strong performance in side crash tests. The Atlas included VW's IQ.Drive package, offering features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL Premium R-Line added park assist and a surround-view camera system. Emergency features like automatic post-collision braking and a crash response system provided added peace of mind.