2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid

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, 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 the new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a new "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. The 2024 Atlas also featured new wheel designs across all trim levels, with the SE base model sporting 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims like the SEL Premium R-Line boasted 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 colors like Avocado Green and Pure Gray. Inside, the Atlas received a revised interior with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a compact shifter, creating more functional space. Volkswagen aimed to elevate the interior's upscale feel with improved fake wood trim and a new weaved plastic trim resembling carbon fiber. Leatherette seats were standard, with leather upholstery available on SEL models. However, some stitching details appeared less refined, and the overall material quality seemed more fitting for a base model than the top-tier SEL Premium R-Line.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, was a $75,000 SUV that featured an exclusive Incognito paint job and distinctive orange brake calipers. Despite these unique touches, the RX's design remained unremarkable, with a massive front grille and a dramatic rear haunches swell. The RX lineup included three hybrid models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+. The RX 350h, the base model, offered 246 horsepower and an impressive 36 mpg in combined city and highway driving. The RX 500h, known for its performance, delivered 366 hp and 27 mpg. The RX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid with an estimated 37 miles of electric-only range before switching to gas-electric hybrid operation, achieving 35 mpg. All models came with standard all-wheel drive, and the RX 350h offered various trim levels, while the RX 500h and RX 450h+ had more limited options. The RX's interior boasted quality materials and ambient lighting, but the controls ranged from confusing to brilliant. Lexus avoided the trend of single curved displays, maintaining a more traditional layout. The RX Hybrid's interior was contemporary, with a focus on comfort and practicality, although some features expected to be standard were optional.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine, an iteration of VW's EA888, produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Atlas was quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models achieving 0-60 mph in an estimated eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite the improvements, the Atlas remained a family-oriented vehicle, prioritizing comfort and efficiency over performance. The ride quality was consistent with previous models, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. However, the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement, lacking low range and underbody protection. The Atlas maintained a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated for 2,000 pounds.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains. The RX 350h, the least powerful but most efficient model, featured a hybrid powertrain with 246 hp and 233 pound-feet of torque. It provided excellent fuel efficiency but had a droning CVT. The RX 450h+ PHEV used the same gas engine with a larger battery pack, delivering 304 hp and a 0-60 time of 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving a 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds. It featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. The RX 500h offered impressive power and acceleration but was less fuel-efficient, averaging 20.9 mpg. The adaptive damping suspension provided a firm ride, and the RX 500h excelled on twisty roads, although it lacked communication between the driver and the road. The RX 500h was more about sporty appearance and straight-line acceleration than dynamic capability.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered 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 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 Atlas excelled in headroom and legroom across all three rows, with competitive measurements compared to rivals. 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 offered more cargo space than most competitors, except for the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolstering, although the bottom cushions were less comfortable on long drives. The automatic climate system's fan was loud for a Lexus. The RX provided ample rear seat space, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated rear seats. Interior storage was practical, but the rear center armrest lacked lining, causing potential noise. The RX Hybrid offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding down the second row created 46.2 cubic feet of cargo volume, which was limited for a midsize SUV.

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 on higher trims. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, haptic touchpads for functions like audio volume and headlights were less intuitive.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury expectations with its technology offerings. However, some features expected to be standard were optional, such as digital key functionality and a camera-based digital rearview mirror. The RX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel with unlabeled, dual-function steering wheel controls that were distracting to use. The Lexus Interface infotainment system was advanced, with a volume knob and large dials for climate control. The RX 500h had a 14-inch touchscreen display and offered generous subscriptions to connected services, including a three-year Drive Connect plan with a digital voice assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. The RX also provided cloud-based navigation and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. The Lexus Interface technology worked well, although there was an intermittent glitch with satellite radio. The head-up display was helpful but not as comprehensive as some rivals. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system sounded excellent, but the steering wheel controls were frustrating to use.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS hadn't released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received a "Good" score 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 systems like automatic post-collision braking and a crash response system.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Safety Connect, a connected service plan offering automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency assistance button, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 was standard, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX also had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Predictive Driving Assist was part of LSS+ 3.0, providing braking and steering input for safe distances and obstacle avoidance. The RX earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it poorly in the updated moderate overlap frontal-impact test. The RX offered optional features like a surround-view camera and Traffic Jam Assist, although some aspects of the safety systems were less intuitive.