2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Lexus GX

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas experienced a notable styling refresh that augmented its original design, which dated back to the VW CrossBlue concept first showcased in 2013. This refresh included new lighting elements, most noticeably the light-up VW logos similar to those added to the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo beamed white, while the rear logo illuminated in red. The addition of a front light bar connecting the daytime running lights, part of the new LED headlights resembling those of a Ford Expedition, provided the Atlas with a distinctly different "face." This new look obscured European influences in favor of a more American swagger. At the back, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo.

All Atlas trim levels received new wheel designs for 2024. The base SE model featured 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims sported 20-inch wheels. The SEL Premium R-Line boasted 21-inch wheels and slightly sportier styling elements. For 2024, the Atlas lineup welcomed the Peak Edition, which offered a more outdoorsy aesthetic. The Peak Edition came with black 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, a distinct front fascia, front and side silver body cladding, blacked-out exterior trim, and two unique colors: Avocado Green and Pure Gray. The equipment remained mostly consistent with the base trim levels it's based on, but SE with Technology models added a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting as standard features.

Inside, the Atlas also received a makeover, primarily around the center of the cabin. The infotainment touchscreen now stood free of the dashboard, and a newly designed shifter had been reduced to a minimalist toggle, creating space and allowing designers to arch the console upward for additional storage. Though functional, the interior contrast between its minimalist vibe and the truck-like exterior was somewhat jarring.

Volkswagen aimed to give the interior a more upscale feel. The fake wood trim now had more grain, and a new weaved plastic trim intended to simulate carbon fiber was also available. Standard leatherette seats were offered, with leather upholstery featuring contrast stitching available on SEL models. In our top-tier SEL Premium R-Line model, diamond stitching combined with silver stitching and black upholstery made for an attractive look. However, stitching in some areas, like the center console, appeared cheaper, and the overall material quality seemed more appropriate for a base model than the top-tier trim.

The 2024 Lexus GX 550, in stark contrast, embraced geometric styling from headlight to taillight, differing markedly from the softer, rounder previous model. The updated front end housed the brand's less pronounced "spindle" grille, flanked by standard triple-beam LED headlights positioned at the squared-off upper edge of the GX’s front fascia. The new front design stood more vertically, giving the vehicle a more assertive appearance. The hood’s left and right humps, conveniently positioned above each front wheel, helped drivers maintain their positional awareness when off-roading.

The profile of the GX appeared as if carved from a solid metal block, with minimal character lines maintaining a horizontal path across the SUV’s side. The low window beltline aimed to enhance visibility when off-roading. The lower edge of the window frame kicked up just ahead of the C-pillar, continuing horizontally to the rear. Standard running boards rounded out the GX's robust appearance, with powered units available on the Luxury+ trim.

For 2024, the Lexus GX was offered in six trim levels: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail, and Overtrail+. The Premium+ was anticipated to be the best-seller, while the Luxury+ and Overtrail+ highlighted the vehicle's finest features. Luxury trims focused on upscale details like 22-inch wheels, illuminated doorsills, and ambient interior lighting. The Overtrail trims leaned heavily into off-roading, featuring 18-inch wheels to accommodate larger 33-inch all-terrain tires, harder-wearing Nuluxe leatherette upholstery, and robust off-roading hardware.

Inside, the GX combined luxury amenities such as standard heated and ventilated front seats with more utilitarian materials suitable for rugged use. The dashboard, flat and upright with a 14-inch touchscreen display at its center, retained physical controls for off-road functions and climate control. Although less luxurious than competitors like the Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the third-generation GX still projected a sense of premium quality ready for tough conditions.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw its powertrain options simplify to just one: the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. The previous option, the VR6—a narrow-angle V6—was discontinued. The turbo-four now produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, compared to the previous VR6’s 276 hp and 266 lb-ft, and the earlier turbo-four's 235 hp and 258 lb-ft.

This engine, another iteration of VW's EA888 series found in various models like the Jetta and Golf R, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The added torque, which peaked at 1,550 rpm versus the VR6's 3,600 rpm, made the 2024 Atlas quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor. The FWD Atlas could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in an estimated eight seconds, while the AWD models did it in 8.3 seconds—improvements over the previous models.

Despite these enhancements, the Atlas remained focused on comfort and efficiency rather than outright performance. The four-cylinder engine provided smooth acceleration up to highway speeds but generated more noise than expected. The overall ride quality stayed consistent with the previous generation, which was less comfortable than some competitors, although the test model with 21-inch wheels managed a balanced ride.

Though the Peak Edition brought all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode, the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement. It could send a maximum of 50% of torque to the front or rear axles, with the rear axle decoupling to save fuel under light loads. However, the system lacked low range and underbody protection, limiting its off-road capability. The maximum towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds for most models, except the base SE, which was rated for 2,000 pounds, comparable to most rivals but less than the 6,000-pound capacity of the Nissan Pathfinder with its naturally aspirated V6.

On the other hand, the 2024 Lexus GX transitioned from the previous model’s naturally aspirated V8 to a more advanced twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, significantly more than before. The ample torque available at low RPMs improved the vehicle's ability to tackle obstacles during off-road driving.

Built on the GA-F truck platform shared with models like the J300 Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus LX, the new GX had a significantly stiffer chassis, enhancing stability both on-road and off-road. The GX used a 10-speed automatic transmission, shifting confidently without undue gear hunting. Standard features included full-time 4WD with a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential, and Overtrail trims added a locking rear differential for improved power distribution on challenging terrain.

The Overtrail trims also featured the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), an advanced suspension setup that balanced stability and wheel articulation, ensuring that all four wheels maintained contact with the ground even on uneven terrain.

During test drives, the GX exhibited strong acceleration from both stops and at highway speeds, with effective braking. Although conditions were favorable, the vehicle's weight, over 5,000 pounds, warranted caution on longer descents in hotter climates to prevent brake fade. Despite its size, the GX displayed lesser body roll than expected, maintaining composure through turns. The overall on-road behavior was controlled and relaxed, a pleasant contrast to its off-road prowess.

Due to adverse weather, the full potential of the GX’s various off-road features and traction management modes could not be tested. Nonetheless, its overall performance on milder off-road and on-road conditions was impressive.

For 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas provided more standard features across its trims. The base SE trim included a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats. The SE with Technology trim featured a power liftgate, while the SEL trim now offered leather upholstery and heated second-row seats as standard, previously higher up the trim ladder.

The Atlas offered standard seating for seven with a three-seat second-row bench, which could split-fold 60/40, recline up to 14 degrees, and slide fore and aft up to 7.7 inches, accommodating three child seats side by side. The bench could also tilt and slide forward with child seats installed. Higher trims offered the option to replace the second-row bench with captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to six. All models came with a 50/50 split-folding third-row bench.

In terms of space, the Atlas was competitive with rivals across all three rows. Headroom and legroom were ample, surpassing models like the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride in specific measurements, particularly third-row legroom. However, second-row room was slightly less generous than some competitors. Cargo space in the Atlas followed the typical trade-off pattern for three-row vehicles. It offered 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in use, 55.5 cubic feet with only the third row stowed, and a maximum of 96.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded, which was near the top of its class, only slightly trailing the Chevy Traverse.

The 2024 Lexus GX showcased a significantly more minimalist and sophisticated interior compared to its predecessor. The reduction in physical buttons did not compromise usability, retaining essential controls like rotary knobs for climate control and buttons for off-road features such as crawl control and the two-speed transfer case.

With 41.2 inches of front legroom and 36.7 inches for the second row, the GX felt spacious and comfortable for six-foot-tall adults in the first two rows. However, the third row, available in the Premium and Luxury models, was less accommodating for adults with its 31.7 inches of legroom, making it more suitable for children. Compared to its closest competitor, the Land Rover Defender 110, the GX offered marginally more space in the front and second rows, though a tighter fit in the third row. The Defender 110 was shorter in overall length, and for more extensive passenger needs, the Defender 130, with a longer wheelbase, might be a better fit.

Cargo capacity was a strong point for the GX. Although it provided 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, folding it down expanded the space to 40.2 cubic feet. Total cargo capacity reached 76.9 cubic feet. The Overtrail models, without a third-row option, offered even greater capacity with 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a total of 90.5 cubic feet, making the GX a standout in cargo space for its class.

Equipped with an upgraded suite of standard tech features, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas included a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, were standard across all models, enhancing convenience. Six USB-C ports were also standard, with up to eight available, including a dash cam port on higher trims avoiding the need for hard-wiring. A head-up display and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system were available on higher trims, replacing the previous Fender system, upgrading from the standard unbranded six-speaker system.

The new infotainment system in the Atlas was easy to navigate and included a map view in the digital instrument cluster, which was particularly useful for road trips. The graphics were clear and straightforward. However, the reliance on haptic touchpads for controls like audio volume and headlights reduced usability as they lacked tactile feedback, making them more challenging to operate compared to traditional buttons.

In comparison, the 2024 Lexus GX integrated a 14-inch touchscreen stylishly into the center dash. Front-seat passengers had access to two USB-C ports and an available wireless charging pad, while Overtrail models provided additional USB-C ports in the back seat. All GX models included a 120-volt AC electrical outlet in the trunk.

The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Drive Connect subscription service added an intelligent voice assistant activated by saying “Hey Lexus,” which could handle navigation, climate, and stereo controls. Drive Connect and Remote Connect, enabling remote locking and unlocking, ignition, and vehicle diagnostics, were provided with initial three-year trial subscriptions. Post-trial subscription costs ranged from $15 to $25 per month, depending on the selected plan.

The GX started with a 10-speaker audio system, with the option for a high-end 21-speaker Mark Levinson system available on Luxury and Overtrail+ trims, standard on the Luxury+. While the Lexus Interface was user-friendly and visually appealing, the subscription model for continued access to certain features after the initial three-year trial could be seen as a downside for long-term owners.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received high marks for safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, achieving five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hadn't posted ratings for the 2024 model at the time of publication, but the 2023 model, structurally similar, earned the highest "Good" score in most crash tests, except for a "Marginal" rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.

The 2024 Atlas came with an upgraded suite of standard driver-assist features, previously available only on higher trims. VW's IQ.Drive package included 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 enhanced highway driving. Higher trims featured predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a surround-view camera system.

Moreover, the Atlas included emergency response features like automatic post-collision braking, a crash response system that switched off the fuel pump, unlocked the doors, and activated the hazards after a crash, along with an emergency assist feature to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated.

For the 2024 Lexus GX, safety appeared improved compared to previous generations. Although it hadn't been crash-tested by the IIHS or the NHTSA at the time of publication, the new GX boasted significant advancements in safety technology. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 was standard, featuring pre-collision detection, avoidance and braking systems, adaptive cruise control with full stop-and-go capability, lane-tracing assist, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and road-sign recognition. A new proactive driving assist feature enhanced safety by braking the car as necessary when adaptive cruise control was active, such as ahead of tighter highway turns.

The GX's new GA-F platform and comprehensive set of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) suggested it was far safer than its predecessors, instilling confidence in its capabilities.