2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport showcased a refreshed design with new lighting elements that mirrored updates seen in the three-row Atlas. The front and rear lighting enhancements included illuminated Volkswagen logos, a feature inspired by the all-electric ID.4. The front light bar connected the daytime running lights, complementing the standard LED headlights, which contributed to a more Americanized aesthetic. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cross Sport was designed with the U.S. market in mind. The rear of the vehicle, with its lower roofline, offered a silhouette reminiscent of German luxury crossover coupes, distinguishing it from other midsize crossovers. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the standard Atlas, with new wheel designs across all trim levels, ranging from 18-inch to 21-inch options. The interior saw revisions with a raised center console and a new electronic shifter, enhancing storage space. Despite attempts to improve interior materials, the use of plastic simulated wood and carbon-fiber-facsimile trim remained evident.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a sportier stance within the Range Rover family, with a taller presence and a more athletic appearance due to its shorter wheelbase and chopped top. Large front air intakes and fake vents added to its sporty look, though from certain angles, it appeared tall and narrow. The lineup included SE, Dynamic SE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with the Dynamic SE offering a Stealth appearance package. The SV Edition 2, the highest-performance model, featured carbon-fiber elements and a subdued exterior that belied its powerful capabilities. Inside, the SV Edition 2 boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with illuminated inserts, and a minimalist dashboard design. The high console and door panels created a cockpit-like feel, though it could feel cramped. Material quality was luxurious, but the use of reflective piano black plastic was excessive.

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 outgoing 3.6-liter VR6, offering slightly less horsepower but more torque, with peak torque arriving earlier. The new engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. While the engine provided adequate power, its noise-to-power ratio was a concern, and the driving experience was less engaging. The Cross Sport's maximum towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Dynamic SE offered a higher output version of this engine and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Autobiography trim could be equipped with a plug-in hybrid or a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. The SV Edition Two used the same V8, tuned to 626 horsepower, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It achieved zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport excelled in handling with its sport-tuned air suspension, four-wheel steering, and brake-based torque vectoring, providing a luxurious ride and impressive agility. Off-road capabilities were supported by the Terrain Response system and adjustable air suspension.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport added more standard equipment, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats and a power liftgate were also standard on higher trims. The Cross Sport's roofline impacted 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 them folded. The cabin offered functional storage solutions, including a redesigned center console and ample door pockets.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a spacious two-row, five-seater configuration. Front-seat headroom was comparable to other midsize luxury SUVs, while rear-seat headroom was slightly less than some competitors. The Range Rover Sport provided 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 53 cubic feet with the seats folded. The vehicle's air suspension facilitated easier loading and unloading. The Range Rover Sport's towing capacity was 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 6,614 pounds.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured a 12-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, but the haptic touchpads were less intuitive than traditional buttons. 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 SEL Premium R-Line featured a Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport shared its screen setup with the larger Range Rover, featuring a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The minimalist design had functional drawbacks, as many controls required touchscreen interaction. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, offering a unique, albeit gimmicky, experience.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact crash testing. The IQ.Drive package, now standard, included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added features like predictive adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided visibility, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.