Toyota RAV4 vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received notable styling updates that aligned it closely with the three-row Atlas, primarily through new lighting elements in both the front and rear. A unique feature that stood out was the illuminated Volkswagen logos; the front logo lit up in white and the rear in red, similar to what debuted on the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4. Upfront, a new light bar connected the daytime running lights, part of the newly standard LED headlights, adding a more Americanized feel to the Cross Sport's exterior. This was a deliberate move since the Atlas Cross Sport was crafted specifically for the U.S. market and assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The vehicle’s rear was particularly distinctive because of its lower roofline, a design cue reminiscent of German luxury brand "crossover coupes." Compared to the standard Atlas, the Cross Sport was shorter by 5.2 inches and sat lower, contributing to its sporty silhouette. All Cross Sport trims flaunted redesigned wheels for 2024: the base SE model featured 18-inch alloys, the SE with Technology and SEL variants showcased 20-inch wheels, and the SEL R-Line boasted a unique 20-inch wheel design along with sportier styling elements. The top-tier SEL Premium R-Line, with sportier bumpers and extended side skirts, rode on 21-inch wheels. The sporty yet rugged Peak Edition package available on the three-row Atlas did not make it to the Cross Sport lineup.

Internally, the 2024 Cross Sport mirrored changes seen in the standard Atlas. Its central touchscreen was repositioned to stand upright rather than sink into the dashboard. The center console was revised to be more ergonomic, incorporating a small storage space under a new, compact electronic shifter. Interior materials ranged from standard leatherette seats to leather on the SEL trims, culminating in quilted leather upholstery with blue seat inserts on the SEL Premium R-Line. While VW attempted to upgrade the trim materials, critics noted that the enhancements still largely involved different types of plastic.

On the other side, Toyota went all out to give the 2024 RAV4 a rugged look, emboldened by the aggressive facial expressions molded into its design. Sharp, angular body cladding and dual exhaust hints at performance suggested adventure, even though the powertrain didn't quite match up to the vehicle's aggressive appearance. Higher trims included faux skid plates and roof racks for more adventurous styling.

The top-end TRD Off-Road model, priced at $38,295 plus $1,350 for destination, embraced an off-road persona with its exclusive suspension tuning, skid plate, and all-terrain tires. Army Green was a notable color choice for this trim. While the RAV4 did not muster strong off-road chops akin to a 4Runner, it could handle some rough terrain without much fuss.

Inside, the RAV4 TRD Off-Road variant featured SofTex artificial leather, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and various optional extras like heated and ventilated front seats with rain-sensing wipers, available within the Weather package. The driver-focused design offered a high seating position, excellent outward visibility, and an optional camera-based digital rearview mirror, lending it an edge in practicality.

For 2024, Volkswagen limited the Atlas Cross Sport to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine could operate with either standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The previous 3.6-liter VR6 engine was phased out as VW asserted better performance from this new turbo-four, although the V6 had been a staple for previous models. Peak torque with this engine came in early at 1,550 rpm, pledging quicker acceleration presumably better than the VR6's 0-60 mph sprint. The base SE’s towing capacity remained at 2,000 pounds, but other trims could tow up to 5,000 pounds, which is standard for this segment.

On-road performance for the Cross Sport proved less engaging. Despite "Sport" in its name, the driving experience was unremarkable, and the ride quality was subpar, particularly with the larger 21-inch wheels. The engine, while potent, generated noise disproportionate to its power delivery, making the driving experience less pleasant.

Conversely, the Toyota RAV4 came with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine outputting 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, driving the front wheels in standard form or optionally complementing a torque-vectoring AWD system. The TRD Off-Road variant came standard with AWD, incorporating off-road suspension tuning and multiple terrain modes (Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt), making it better suited for mild off-roading excursions.

Despite its off-road focus, the TRD Off-Road variant didn't significantly improve the RAV4's off-road geometry, sharing the same 8.6 inches of ground clearance as other trims. Its daily commute performance was commendable, soaking up road imperfections effectively, although it was noisy at highway speeds. Fuel economy for the TRD Off-Road pegged at 28 mpg combined was respectable, though the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition promised superior efficiency at 37 mpg combined.

Volkswagen enhanced the 2024 Atlas Cross Sport’s standard equipment list, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats on the base SE. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate and tow hitch, while the SEL trim now boasted heated second-row seats and leather upholstery, further enriching the mid-range models.

Interior space in the Cross Sport felt competitive regarding front row legroom, though its stylish roofline compromised rear-seat headroom noticeably. The cargo area offered 40.3 cubic feet with rear seats in use, expandable to 77.6 cubic feet when folded down. This was notably larger than rivals like the Chevy Blazer, yet closely matched the Honda Passport’s capacity.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 exuded practicality with its utility-focused interior. It was speckled with storage solutions such as shelves, trays, bins, and nooks. The TRD Off-Road came with SofTex artificial leather and eight-way power-adjustable seats, heating and ventilation available via optional Weather package.

Rear-seat comfort was adequate, with sufficient legroom and foot space though seats could be a bit low, affecting long-trip comfort. The RAV4’s cargo capacity was generous at 37.6 cubic feet with seats up, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet when down. These dimensions were competitive but slightly less than the Cross Sport’s overall cargo hold.

Volkswagen packed the 2024 Atlas Cross Sport with cutting-edge tech features. Standard offerings included a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging. Though the screens had user-friendly layouts and appealing graphics, the haptic touchpads replacing traditional buttons were less intuitive, often requiring users to divert attention to confirm actions.

For enhanced convenience, the Cross Sport offered up to six USB-C ports, a head-up display on SEL trims, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system standard on the SEL Premium R-Line.

Toyota’s 2024 RAV4 also bundled advanced tech with the Toyota Audio Multimedia system that boasted an 8-inch standard or 10.5-inch optional touchscreen. The suite included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and several connected services like Service Connect and Safety Connect free for ten years, and Remote Connect and Drive Connect complimentary for a year.

Various services like cloud-based navigation, a digital voice assistant, and Wi-Fi Connect transformed the RAV4 into a tech-savvy ride. The system performed well overall, although limitations, such as lack of a multi-panel Home screen and light fonts, hindered usability. An optional JBL premium audio system and a digital rearview mirror further enriched the tech package, enhancing convenience and audio quality.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, excelling in side-impact crash testing. The IIHS hadn't rated the 2024 model at publication, but its structurally similar predecessor scored well, though fell to "Marginal" in updated tests. Standard on all trims, the IQ.Drive package incorporated features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. This package fortified the Cross Sport with a comprehensive suite of driver aids.

For Toyota, the 2024 RAV4 came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, a robust ADAS setup offering features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. While adaptive cruise control performed smoothly in moderate traffic, lane-centering assist struggled on winding roads. Unfortunately, the RAV4 lost its IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to "Marginal" and "Acceptable" scores in crash tests. Despite those setbacks, the safety tech performed adequately for most driving scenarios.