2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the 2013 Volkswagen CrossBlue concept. This update included new lighting elements, such as light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition, giving the Atlas a more Americanized appearance. At the rear, the taillights blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the base model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims boasted 20-inch or 21-inch wheels. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering an outdoorsy flavor with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique styling elements. Inside, the Atlas featured a revised interior with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist design that contrasted with its rugged exterior. Volkswagen aimed to make the interior feel more upscale with improved materials and stitching, although some areas still felt less premium.

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its familiar look, with the Wilderness trim receiving a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding contrasted nicely with the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Outback Touring XT tester, creating an appealing aesthetic. Different trims featured varying levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim showcasing tasteful chrome accents. Wheel sizes and designs varied by trim, with black 17-inch alloy wheels standard and the Wilderness trim featuring a matte black version. The interior of the top-trim test car impressed with its Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offering a more luxurious feel than expected from Subaru. The Outback Limited featured standard leather seating surfaces, while the Onyx Edition and Wilderness trims used Subaru's StarTex synthetic leather. Base and Premium trims came with cloth seats, providing a range of options for different preferences.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offering more torque than the previous VR6 engine. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The Atlas demonstrated improved acceleration, with front-wheel-drive models achieving 0 to 60 mph in an estimated eight seconds, while all-wheel-drive models took 8.3 seconds. Despite these improvements, the Atlas remained focused on comfort and practicality rather than performance. The ride quality was consistent with previous models, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode, although the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement. The Atlas had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated for 2,000 pounds.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the default being a 2.5-liter flat-four producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. This turbo setup increased the towing capacity from 2,700 to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission were standard. The turbo powertrain provided a better fit for the Outback, offering improved performance compared to the base engine. The CVT mimicked the sound and feel of eight distinct gears, enhancing the driving experience. The Outback excelled in providing a comfortable ride, with its suspension and wheel design contributing to a smooth journey. The Wilderness trim offered increased ground clearance and all-terrain capabilities, making it suitable for off-road adventures.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features, including a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats on the base SE trim. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate, while leather upholstery and heated second-row seats became standard on the SEL trim. The Atlas provided seating for seven with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The third-row bench was standard, offering competitive headroom and legroom across all rows. The Atlas balanced passenger and cargo space, with 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained ample interior space despite its sleeker proportions. It offered more front-row headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, with competitive rear-seat legroom. The Outback's cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While the RAV4 and CR-V offered more cargo space with all seats occupied, the Outback excelled when the rear seats were folded. The Outback featured dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat starting with the Premium trim. Heated rear seats and a powered front passenger's seat were available on higher trims. The Outback also offered a hands-free power liftgate and a power moonroof on select trims, enhancing convenience and functionality.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received more standard tech features, including a 12-inch touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now standard. The Atlas offered up to eight USB-C ports, including a dash cam port on higher trims. A head-up display was standard on SEL and higher trims, and the premium audio system was upgraded to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, the reliance on haptic touchpads for controls made them less intuitive to use.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a mix of old-school and modern technology. The top-trim Touring model retained a CD player, while USB-C and USB-A ports were available on most trims. The larger 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen was standard on higher trims, with the base trim retaining a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless functionality starting with the Premium trim. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for essential functions. Wi-Fi capability was available on most trims, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on nearly all trims.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received high scores in most crash tests. The Atlas featured VW's IQ.Drive package, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included automatic post-collision braking and an emergency assist feature.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, although it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation received by the 2023 model. The NHTSA awarded both the 2023 and 2024 models five stars overall. The Outback featured the EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Reverse automatic braking became standard on the Onyx trim, and the Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor. A backup camera and high-beam assist were standard across all trims.