2023 Volvo XC90 vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from the brand's past, where vehicles were often likened to rolling bricks. The XC90 presented a purposeful yet understated design, with a stout front end and an assertive grille that avoided being overly flashy. Its "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch absent in earlier models. The XC90's dimensions remained somewhat rectilinear, but it no longer resembled a toaster. The interior was a testament to elegance, featuring a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful cabin environment.

In contrast, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received styling updates that included new lighting elements and illuminated VW logos, giving it a more Americanized look. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cross Sport was designed for the U.S. market. Its rear featured a lower roofline, reminiscent of German luxury crossover coupes, and new wheel designs were introduced across trim levels. The interior revisions included a raised center console and a new electronic shifter, enhancing storage space. While the Cross Sport's cabin featured standard leatherette upholstery and quilted leather on higher trims, the simulated wood and carbon-fiber-facsimile trim remained plastic, detracting from the overall luxury feel.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, featuring both a supercharger and turbo, delivered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the mild-hybrid setup didn't allow for electric-only driving, it improved fuel efficiency and provided a smoother operation. The XC90 offered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration and a well-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission. Its handling was commendable, and the brakes inspired confidence.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the optional 3.6-liter VR6, offering more torque and earlier peak torque delivery. The Cross Sport's performance was adequate, but the engine noise was noticeable, and the driving experience was unremarkable. The ride quality was compromised, possibly due to the test car's 21-inch wheels. The Cross Sport maintained a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was characterized by Scandinavian minimalism, which led to some space and storage challenges. The front seats were comfortable, but there was limited cubby space for smaller items. The second row offered reasonable comfort, but accessing the third row was difficult with the standard bench seat. The XC90 provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 65.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car, offering a pleasant driving experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport added more standard equipment, including heated side mirrors, two-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. The Cross Sport's roofline affected rear-seat headroom, but legroom was competitive. Cargo space was generous, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cabin featured a new center console with ample storage, and the door pockets accommodated multiple drink bottles.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Google OS, with Google Maps, Spotify, and Google Assistant as standard features. The system's natural-language recognition was a highlight, but the reliance on the touchscreen for key functions could be frustrating. While the minimalist design was appealing, more physical buttons would have improved usability.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was intuitive, but the haptic touchpads for controls lacked physical feedback, making them less user-friendly. The Cross Sport offered up to six USB-C ports and a USB-C dash cam port on higher trims. The SEL trim included a head-up display, and the premium audio system was upgraded to Harman Kardon.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. It featured advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, as standard equipment. Volvo's Pilot Assist technology provided additional support for maintaining distance and speed on highways.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The IQ.Drive package, now standard on all models, included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims offered additional features like predictive adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Cross Sport was equipped with post-collision braking and an emergency assist feature.