2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Mazda CX-90

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a significant styling refresh that enhanced its sheet metal design, incorporating new lighting elements. These included light-up VW logos akin to the recent update on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo gleamed white, whereas the rear logo emitted a red glow. A new front light bar seamlessly connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of the updated LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These changes imparted a fresh "face" to the Atlas, giving it a more American swagger, obscuring its European heritage. At the rear, the taillights blended into a full-width light bar, creating a continuous illuminated effect.

In 2024, all trim levels of the Atlas sported new wheel designs. The base SE model featured 18-inch alloy wheels, whereas most other trims rolled on 20-inch wheels. The SEL Premium R-Line flaunted 21-inch wheels along with slightly sportier styling elements. The introduction of the Atlas Peak Edition brought a more rugged, outdoorsy aesthetic to VW's lineup. The Peak Edition featured black 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, distinctive front fascia, silver body cladding on the front and sides, blacked-out trim, and exclusive colors like Avocado Green and Pure Gray. Models based on the SE with Technology gained standard equipment such as a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting.

Inside, the Atlas' interior received a major update centered around the cabin’s core. A standalone infotainment touchscreen sat above a redesigned shifter, now reduced to a tiny toggle, freeing up space for a shelving area. While this makeover improved functionality, the contrast between the minimalist interior and the muscular exterior felt somewhat offbeat. Volkswagen aimed to upscale the interior with new faux wood trim featuring more grain, and a woven plastic trim mimicking carbon fiber. Leatherette seats were standard, but leather upholstery with contrast stitching was available on SEL models. The SEL Premium R-Line featured diamond-stitched silver and black upholstery that looked sophisticated, although some stitching on the center console appeared less premium.

Conversely, the 2024 Mazda CX-90 elevated the brand’s luxury status, surpassing rivals like Honda, Nissan, and Toyota. The CX-90 exuded an elegant design language expanded from the smaller CX-30 and CX-5. Stretching beyond 200 inches in length, the imposing SUV featured a prominent grille, wide-set front end, and large wheels ranging from 19 to 21 inches. Tasteful chrome accents further refined its appearance, helping it look graceful despite its size.

Inside the CX-90, especially in the top-tier models, a luxurious environment greeted occupants. Premium models showcased brown suede upholstery on the dash, wood inlays on the center console, and matte-finish black plastic, evoking a high-end ambiance. While lower trims may not have matched this level of elegance, all benefited from Mazda’s cohesive design ethos and comfortable layout. The 2024 CX-90 offered trims spread across three powertrains: Turbo, PHEV, and the high-performance Turbo S. Range-topping Turbo S trim levels started beyond $50,000 and included a base trim along with Premium and Premium Plus configurations. For the review, the focus was on the PHEV model and the Turbo S Premium Plus.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas streamlined its powertrain options to a single choice, dropping the VR6 narrow-angle V6 engine and retaining the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This new engine, an evolution of VW's EA888 used in various models, delivered 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel. This was a slight reduction from the VR6's 276 horsepower but an increase over the previous turbo-four's 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the turbo-four drove either the front or all four wheels, with all-wheel-drive models clocking in at 8.3 seconds for the zero to 60 mph sprint. This was slightly quicker than the older VR6 models due to the additional torque available at lower revs. However, despite the improved numbers, the Atlas prioritized comfort and fuel economy over outright performance. The ride quality remained largely unchanged from the pre-refresh Atlas, and with the largest 21-inch wheels on our test model, it didn't worsen, which was a relief. Moreover, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system was better suited for paved roads rather than off-roading, even on Peak Edition models with all-terrain tires.

The Atlas retained a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, a figure competitive with similar vehicles but falling short of the Nissan Pathfinder's 6,000 pounds.

Mazda introduced two new powertrains for the 2024 CX-90, marking a significant shift from the outgoing CX-9. The CX-90 offered a PHEV option for improved fuel economy and performance, and two iterations of an all-new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. While the base turbo I6 produced 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, the upgraded Turbo S provided a spirited 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel.

All CX-90 models featured standard all-wheel drive and employed an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Turbo S excelled in performance, with selectable driving modes – Normal, Sport, and Off-Road. Sport mode allowed the CX-90 to hold gears longer, delivering an impressive exhaust note and dynamic driving experience. However, the eight-speed transmission exhibited inconsistent behavior at times, especially in Sport mode.

The PHEV model featured a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor. This combination yielded a total of 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated electric driving range of 26 miles. The EPA rates the CX-90 PHEV at 56 MPGe in combined driving, providing 490 miles of total driving range. While not as exhilarating as the Turbo S, the PHEV's handling mirrored a smaller vehicle's agility, thanks to Mazda's engineering finesse.

The CX-90's platform, larger than the outgoing CX-9, combined with a double-wishbone front suspension and transverse engine layout, allowed for excellent handling and turning radius. Mazda's driving expertise imbued the CX-90 with the spirited performance typically associated with smaller cars, making it a joy to maneuver on winding roads.

In terms of form and function, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas continued to impress with more standard features. The base SE trim level now included a heated steering wheel, and front seats were both heated and ventilated. Power liftgate and leather upholstery were standard on the SEL, making heated second-row seats accessible earlier in the trim hierarchy. The Atlas maintained seating for seven, featuring a second-row bench that could split-fold 60/40, recline, and slide 7.7 inches fore and aft. This bench could accommodate three child seats side-by-side and tilt and slide even when occupied.

Standard on all trims was a 50/50 split-folding third-row bench. Volkswagen provided an option to swap the second-row bench for captain's chairs in the SE with Technology and higher trims, reducing the seating capacity to six. The Atlas boasted competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with second-row space slightly less than some rivals. Cargo capacity was impressive, featuring 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, 55.5 cubic feet with only the third row stowed, and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place. This storage metric surpassed nearly all competitors except the Chevy Traverse.

The Mazda CX-90, meanwhile, offered various seating configurations reflecting its extensive trim lineup. Lower-end Turbo and PHEV models accommodated eight passengers with three-row seating, while mid-level trims featured second-row captain’s chairs for a seven-passenger setup. Turbo S models had a six-passenger configuration with a two-seat third row in more premium trims.

In terms of cargo space, the CX-90 delivered 75.2 cubic feet with the two-seat third row folded, and 15.9 and 40.1 cubic feet behind the third and second rows, respectively. Models with a three-seat third row offered slightly less room: 74.2 cubic feet with all rows folded, 40.0 cubic feet behind the second row, and 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row. These figures exceeded the CX-9 but fell short when compared to the Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Highlander. Despite the snug third-row legroom, the CX-90 featured ample clever storage solutions, including a large center console, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. The use of high-quality materials and plush seating enhanced the cabin’s comfort, complemented by a large panoramic sunroof.

For 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas came with an array of standard tech features. A 12-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now standard across all trims. The base six USB-C ports could be expanded to eight, including a dash cam port on SE with Technology and higher trims, simplifying installation. A head-up display was standard on SEL and above, and the previously notable Fender audio system had been replaced by a Harman Kardon 12-speaker setup for premium trims.

The updated infotainment system was user-friendly, with crisp graphics and handy features like a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, VW's reliance on haptic touchpads for key controls like audio volume and headlights might be more challenging to use than traditional buttons despite their modern look.

Mazda took a different approach with the CX-90, emphasizing a distraction-free user experience through its Mazda Connect system, which eschewed touchscreen interfaces in favor of hard buttons and a rotary control knob on the center console. While the intention was to minimize distractions, the system’s complexity often led to greater focus on navigation rather than the road. However, the system's rotary knob and button layout were well-engineered.

Mazda's tech solution shined through its personalization software, which used facial recognition to adjust settings such as seat position, mirrors, and HUD, and update personalized settings for multiple drivers. The CX-90 also offered standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (wireless on higher trims) with touchscreen functionality, providing a familiar and user-friendly interface to most drivers.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with top marks in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. Though the IIHS had not rated the 2024 model, the 2023 Atlas secured good scores in most categories, except for a marginal rating in the updated moderate overlap front test. The 2024 update saw more standard safety features across the range, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control bundled in VW's IQ.Drive package. The SEL trim and above included additional features like predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and surround-view cameras. Safety measures like automatic post-collision braking, a crash response system, and emergency assist were standard to enhance occupant safety.

Mazda’s CX-90 also leveraged comprehensive safety features standard through its i-Activsense suite. Features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus added cruising and traffic support, merging lane-centering with adaptive cruise control to create a cohesive driver assistance system. This kept the vehicle well-centered in its lane with minimal issues. Though crash-test results from IIHS and NHTSA were pending, the previous CX-9's exemplary safety ratings provided confidence in the CX-90’s anticipated performance.