2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept from 2013. This update included new lighting elements, with the most noticeable being 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. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a fresh "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the base SE model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims boasted 20-inch or 21-inch wheels. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering a more rugged appearance with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior colors. Inside, the Atlas received a revised interior with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist design that contrasted with its truck-like exterior. Volkswagen aimed to elevate the interior's upscale feel with improved materials and stitching, although some areas still felt more suited to a base model.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, known for its rugged appeal, offered various customization options. The Defender 90 appeared stubby, while the 130 carried excess visual mass over its rear wheels, but the 110 four-door struck a balance in design. Base prices ranged from $58,525 for a 90 to $120,525 for a 130 V8, with the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. Our test vehicle, a Defender 130 in X trim, featured the Extended Black Exterior Pack, upgraded interior materials, and comprehensive off-roading technology. It swapped standard 22-inch wheels for 20s with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires. The test model, painted in Gondwana Stone, lacked the new matte paint protection film, and its color clashed with the orange brake calipers and delicate twin-spoke wheels. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric, offering a choice of Ebony or Caraway colors. The interior maintained an industrial theme with quality materials, emphasizing functionality over luxury.

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 improved performance over the previous VR6 engine. The turbo-four engine, part of VW's EA888 family, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The 2024 Atlas was quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models achieving 0 to 60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite the improved performance, the Atlas remained a family-oriented vehicle, prioritizing comfort and efficiency over sportiness. The ride quality remained consistent, and the Peak Edition added off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. However, the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement, lacking low-range capability and underbody protection. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Defender featured standard all-wheel drive with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of 8,200 pounds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Defender excelled in off-road environments, tackling challenging terrain with ease. On pavement, the Defender 130's 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its agility on twisty roads, but it provided a comfortable ride with its adaptive air suspension. The Defender's six-cylinder engine offered ample power, though it occasionally surged unexpectedly in city driving. The vehicle's weight and steering dynamics affected its on-road performance, but it cruised comfortably on highways. The Defender's fuel economy was lower than expected, with an observed 16.2 mpg compared to the estimated 19 mpg.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas gained more standard features for 2024, 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 offered 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 Atlas provided competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space varied from 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded to 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place. The Atlas excelled in cargo space compared to most rivals, except for the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 offered three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating position provided excellent forward visibility, though the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system improved rear visibility and parking ease. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row enhanced the open and airy feel of the interior. The Defender 130's second-row captain's chairs were heated and ventilated, with adjustable armrests for added comfort. The third-row seat was heated, roomy, and supportive, accommodating adults comfortably. The Defender's side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but a button in the cargo area allowed for air suspension adjustment to ease loading. Cargo space measured 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 89 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received more standard tech features for 2024, 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. The premium audio system switched from Fender to Harman Kardon, with a 12-speaker system available on higher trims. The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, VW's reliance on haptic touchpads for controls made them less intuitive to use.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender featured the Pivi Pro infotainment system with an 11.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The system's response to voice commands was slower than desired, but its accuracy was impressive. Pivi Pro's user interface had improved, offering a more intuitive experience. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system delivered excellent audio quality. Additional features included a head-up display, a ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system with a 3D view setting. The Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system for added convenience.

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 included more standard driver-assist features for 2024, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL Premium R-Line added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also featured emergency assist and automatic post-collision braking.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came equipped with several driver aids, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. The Defender's lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the vehicle into a turnout area. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist operated smoothly, though it struggled slightly in heavy traffic. Crash-test ratings for the Defender were unavailable at the time of publication.