2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2023 Volvo XC90

Volvo had once been known for its utilitarian designs that evoked the charm of a toaster, but the 2023 Volvo XC90 was a clear deviation from that past. Stylish without being ostentatious, the XC90's front end was stout and solid, achieving a balanced flair with its assertive yet non-flashy grille. The famed “Thor’s Hammer” headlights added a touch of modernity missing from past generations. Despite its rectilinear dimensions, the XC90—especially in the AWD Ultimate trim with 21-inch Pirelli Scorpion tires—conveyed a sense of understated drama. The Platinum Gray paint, with its subtle brown undertones, provided a richness seldom seen in the traditionally monochromatic Volvo palette.

Inside, the XC90 radiated elegance. The two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, Orrefors crystal shift knob, and Nappa leather upholstery all spoke of luxurious intent. Volvo’s color choices—“charcoal” and “blond” for the black and white leather, respectively—were in line with the brand’s understated sophistication. Minimalism reigned in the cabin, punctuated by wood deco inlays and a scarcity of physical buttons, contributing to a serene, uncluttered aesthetic.

Contrastingly, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas featured a design refresh that built upon the original platform dating back to the CrossBlue concept of 2013. The most noticeable changes included light-up VW logos—a white front and a red rear—along with a front light bar connected to LED headlights reminiscent of a Ford Expedition. This new “face” lent the Atlas a more American swagger, obscuring any lingering European influence.

For 2024, all Atlas trims received new wheel designs, ranging from 18-inch alloys on the base SE to 21-inch wheels on the SEL Premium R-Line. The newly introduced Atlas Peak Edition added an outdoorsy touch with its black 18-inch wheels shod in all-terrain tires and unique front fascia. Available in Avocado Green and Pure Gray, this variant added a power liftgate and ambient lighting among other features.

Inside, the 2024 Atlas saw a more functional yet upscale overhaul. The free-standing infotainment touchscreen and space-saving tiny toggle shifter created more storage space. The fake wood trim, now with more grain, and optional weaved plastic trim simulated carbon fiber, contributing to an upmarket feel. Leatherette seats were standard, with genuine leather and diamond stitching available in higher trims.

For 2023, Volvo made significant strides in enhancing the XC90’s powertrains. The older turbocharged 2.0-liter T5 and its turbocharged-and-supercharged T6 were discontinued in favor of the B5 and B6 engines, respectively. These new engines kept the 2.0-liter four-cylinder core but incorporated mild-hybrid technology for better fuel efficiency and smoother operation. Although the fuel economy gains were slight, the mild-hybrid system represented Volvo’s commitment to electrification.

The B5 engine, with a turbocharger, delivered 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The B6, adding a supercharger to the mix, produced 295 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Despite its mild-hybrid designation, the electric motors were not used for propulsion but rather to alleviate some engine load via a 13-volt starter generator. This made the XC90’s auto stop-start system almost imperceptible. The driving experience was smooth and refined, with excellent acceleration, reliable braking, and low road noise, thanks to superb insulation.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas reduced its powertrain options from two to one, eliminating the VR6 in favor of a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that produced 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This updated engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The additional torque, which peaked at a lower rpm than the VR6, made the Atlas quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor. FWD models hit 60 mph in an estimated eight seconds, while AWD variants took 8.3 seconds.

Overall, the driving experience of the Atlas remained comfort-oriented, suitable as a family hauler. While the four-cylinder engine was powerful, it was noisy, and the ride quality stayed consistent with the pre-refresh model. The Atlas Peak Edition, with all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode, offered versatility, though its 4Motion AWD prioritized pavement and lacked the robustness for serious off-roading. The maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, aligning with most rivals but falling short of the 6,000 pounds offered by the Nissan Pathfinder.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 offered an elegant yet serene front seat experience, albeit with some storage frustrations due to Scandinavian minimalism. There was no dedicated cell phone storage, and the USB port was inconveniently located in the small center console bin. While family-friendly with numerous safety features, the rear space and accessibility were less ideal. The second row was comfortable yet difficult to adjust, and opting for captain’s chairs required a costly upgrade.

Accessing the third row was a challenge, and space was limited. The XC90 offered 12.5 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. This was less than the competing Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw an enhancement in standard features. The base SE now had a heated steering wheel, and front seats were both ventilated and heated. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate, and the SEL featured leather upholstery and heated second-row seats as standard.

The Atlas maintained its seven-passenger seating configuration, with a second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Optionally, captain’s chairs could replace the bench, reducing capacity to six. The third row offered additional flexibility with a 50/50 split-fold feature.

Passenger space was competitive across all rows, with the Atlas leading in third-row legroom within its class. Cargo space ranged from 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up to 55.5 cubic feet with the third row down and 96.6 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded, surpassing nearly all rivals, except the Chevrolet Traverse.

In 2023, the Volvo XC90 stood out for integrating a 9-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system running Google OS, the first of its kind as a standard feature. Google Maps was displayed on the 12.3-inch driver information display, and essential apps like Spotify and Google Assistant were available. The natural-language recognition of Google Assistant significantly enhanced usability. However, Volvo's emphasis on touchscreen controls led to some frustration, as key functions were buried within menus. More physical buttons would have improved usability, even if the learning curve would ease with regular use.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas improved its tech suite with a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with six standard USB-C ports and two more available. A dash cam port was added in higher trim levels, and a head-up display became standard on the SEL trims.

VW shifted to the Harman Kardon premium audio system, offering a 12-speaker setup in higher trims. The Atlas’ infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp yet readable graphics. A map view in the digital instrument cluster was handy for road trips. However, reliance on haptic touchpads for functions like audio volume and headlights could be cumbersome due to the lack of tactile feedback.

Volvo's reputation for safety was evident in the 2023 XC90. Carrying a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the XC90 was equipped with a robust suite of safety features. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist technology were standard, contributing to a reassuringly safe driving experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas similarly earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, scoring highly in side crash tests and adequately in frontal and rollover tests. While IIHS ratings for the 2024 model were pending, the 2023 Atlas had consistently received “Good” ratings, except for a “Marginal” score in the updated moderate overlap front test.

The Atlas for 2024 featured more standard driver-assist technologies, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and the comprehensive IQ.Drive package. The predictive adaptive cruise control and park assist were exclusive to higher trims, and several emergency features like automatic post-collision braking added an extra layer of safety.