Volkswagen ID.4 vs Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured the same styling updates as the three-row Atlas, with new lighting elements at the forefront. The Volkswagen logos on the grille and tailgate lit up in white and red, respectively, a design initially seen on the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4. These updated logos were accompanied by an advanced lighting design in the front and rear. At the front, a light bar connected the daytime running lights to the new LED headlights, giving both the Cross Sport and the standard Atlas a distinctly Americanized appearance. This design was apt as both models were specifically tailored for and manufactured in the U.S. market at Volkswagen's Chattanooga, Tennessee plant.

The rear of the Cross Sport boasted reshaped taillights that merged into a rear light bar, which also housed the second illuminated VW logo. This area was undeniably the most distinctive due to the Cross Sport's lower roofline, which lent it a silhouette noticeably similar to the crossover coupes of German luxury brands, rather than traditional two-row midsize crossovers. The Cross Sport was also noted to be 5.2 inches shorter and slightly lower than the standard Atlas.

In 2024, all Cross Sport models received new wheel designs. The base SE model sported 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims like the SE with Technology and SEL had 20-inch wheels—with an optional black wheel package. The SEL R-Line model featured a unique 20-inch wheel design and sportier elements like extended side skirts and different bumpers. The top-tier SEL Premium R-Line went further with 21-inch wheels. However, the Cross Sport didn't include the more rugged Peak Edition package, which was designated for the three-row Atlas lineup.

Internally, the Cross Sport mirrored the standard Atlas's revisions. The central touchscreen was more prominent, standing upright instead of blending into the dashboard, while the center console was raised, facilitating a small storage nook beneath due to a new, compact electronic shifter. Standard leatherette upholstery spanned across all models, with leather seats offered on SEL and above trims, and the high-end quilted leather upholstery with diamond patterns adorned the SEL Premium R-Line trim level.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, by contrast, maintained a conservative yet timeless design that continued to age gracefully. The AWD variants were equipped with standard 20-inch wheels, while the S Plus trim sported 21-inch wheels. The available models included the ID.4 with a 62-kWh battery and the ID.4 Pro with an 82-kWh battery. Three trims—base, S, and S Plus—were fitting for the range of battery configurations, with AWD versions available for the Pro models.

Volkswagen highlighted benefits such as the eligibility for a $7,500 federal tax credit for models equipped with SK On batteries and complimentary 500 kWh of DC fast charging with a three-year EA Pass+ membership for discounted charging rates. The interior presentation continued to move away from the Cosmic treatment to new options like Cosmic Black and Galaxy artificial leather upholstery for the S and S Plus trims. Other updates included a transmission shift stalk now located next to the steering column, refined steering wheel controls, available ventilated front seats, and an optional Harman Kardon premium sound system. Moreover, the Pro variants came standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

While the ID.4 didn’t have the drastic interior departure it had in 2020, it still included some quirks like dual-function power window controls and automatic on/off functionality.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was outfitted solely with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It came standard with FWD, and 4Motion AWD was optional. This new engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, replaced the previously optional 3.6-liter VR6 engine, which had delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower, the new turbo-four offered more torque arriving at 1,550 rpm compared to 3,600 rpm for the VR6. Volkswagen anticipated that the 2024 Cross Sport would outperform the 2023 model in acceleration, even though precise numbers were not provided.

Although the turbo-four provided substantial power and worked seamlessly with the eight-speed automatic transmission, the engine's noise-to-power ratio was a notable drawback. It made its presence known audibly, indicating how hard it was exerting itself. Additionally, the Cross Sport didn’t live up to its “Sport” moniker in terms of driving dynamics, as it offered little excitement behind the wheel. The ride quality was also subpar, possibly due in part to the test vehicle's 21-inch wheels. The towing capacity remained unchanged at a maximum of 5,000 pounds for all but the base SE model, which could tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, in contrast, showed no compromise as an EV. The single-motor Pro versions, elevated with a new rear electric drive motor, boasted 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in a swift 5.9 seconds, marking a 1.3-second improvement over the previous model year. The 62-kWh models retained the earlier motor with 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.

AWD Pro versions added an electric motor at the front, resulting in dual-motor operation with a combined 335 hp and 402 lb-ft of torque (99 hp at the front). These AWD models reached 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, making them considerably quicker than their RWD counterparts. The driving ranges varied: RWD models offered an EPA-rated 291 miles, while AWD models provided 263 miles on a full charge. The smaller 62-kWh battery variant had an estimated range of 206 miles.

All ID.4 models supported 11-kW Level 2 home charging stations and faster DC charging capabilities. The 62-kWh battery could reach full charge in 6.25 hours or less, and the 82-kWh battery topped off in under eight hours. On a DC fast charger, the 62-kWh could accommodate up to 140-kW, and the 82-kWh up to 175-kW, both requiring approximately 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.

On a drive in and around Pasadena, California, the ID.4 Pro S demonstrated improved acceleration and ease in merging onto freeways and tackling mountain roads. Road noise at higher speeds was more noticeable, but it handled well on twisty roads, bolstered by firm yet comfortable ride quality and natural-feeling brake pedals with regenerative braking features.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport brought additional standard equipment across all trims. The base SE now included heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel, along with ventilated front seats. The SE with Technology featured a standard power liftgate and tow hitch, while SEL models came with heated second-row seats and leather upholstery, which had been moved down the trim ladder.

Though front headroom matched most rivals, the sporty roofline of the Cross Sport reduced rear-seat headroom, giving a somewhat cramped feeling in the back. Legroom was competitive, offering decent front-row and second-row leg space. Cargo capacity remained impressive, with 40.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and up to 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down, more than many competitors but similar to a Honda Passport.

Functional changes in the Cross Sport’s interior included an overhauled center console with ample storage and generously sized cupholders, along with spacious door pockets for holding multiple bottles without rattling.

For the 2024 VW ID.4, enhancements focused on ease of use and comfort. The gear selector shifted position to the right side of the steering wheel, and wiper controls moved to the left stalk, while lighting controls were placed on a touch-sensing pad on the dashboard. Though touch controls, including those on the steering wheel, aimed for convenience, accidental activations were common.

The Pro versions boasted a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that simplified climate control accessibility and featured illuminated touch sliders for volume and temperature control at night. New ventilated front seats were offered in Pro S and Pro S Plus trims, advantageous in hot climates. Standard comforts included heated front seats, mirrors, and washer nozzles, while AWD models added a heated windshield. The S Plus trim further offered heated rear seats and a triple-zone climate system.

Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom and a comfortable seating position with supportive thigh and backrest angles. Additional amenities included air conditioning vents, USB-C charging ports, and a folding center armrest. The cargo space behind the 60/40-split folding rear seat measured 30.3 cubic feet, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet when folded. Notably, the ID.4 lacked a front trunk (frunk), unlike some other EVs.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s technological enhancements included a standard 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system shared with the three-row Atlas was user-friendly, featuring intuitive layouts and visually appealing graphics. However, the haptic touchpads for controls, such as volume adjustment, proved cumbersome due to their lack of physical feedback.

The Cross Sport came with four standard USB-C ports, with the possibility of adding two more. For 2024, a USB-C dash cam port was included from the SE with Technology trim upwards, facilitating easier dash cam installations. The SEL trim now featured a standard head-up display, and the premium audio system shifted from Fender to Harman Kardon, with the upgraded 12-speaker system standard on the SEL Premium R-Line.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 received a significant tech upgrade with a new 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the Pro models, enhancing usability even if it wasn’t as visually striking. The reorganized layout included a home screen with four primary data panels, easily accessible menu tiles, and always-visible climate controls. The illuminated touch sliders for volume and temperature stood out for night-time use.

The standard navigation system incorporated a battery preconditioning feature for efficient DC fast-charging during long trips. Additionally, a nine-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system was available with the S Plus trim. The ID.4’s infotainment system allowed for quick phone pairing and wireless CarPlay operation, including gesture controls, though the latter wasn’t tested extensively.

Volkswagen bundled three years of complimentary access to Plus Nav services and Plus Speech, featuring a digital assistant named Ida. However, Ida's performance was inconsistent, effectively executing only half of the tested commands. The ID.4 also included a five-year subscription to Car-Net’s Remote Access and Safe & Secure connected service plans.

Both the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the ID.4 came equipped with comprehensive safety features. The Atlas Cross Sport achieved a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA with high scores in side-impact crash tests and slightly lower scores in frontal and rollover tests. The 2023 structurally similar model received “Good” ratings in most IIHS crash tests, although the more recent assessments were pending.

Standard across all models was the IQ.Drive suite of driver aids, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims like the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line added advanced features like predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a surround-view camera system.

The ID.4 featured a post-collision braking system that activated immediately following an accident to prevent further injury. Additionally, the standard IQ.Drive collection of driver assistance technologies included Travel Assist for semi-autonomous driving and Emergency Assist for detecting unresponsive drivers and bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop. The semi-autonomous parking assist system with Memory Parking was also offered, facilitating repeated parking maneuvers.

The ID.4 received favorable crash test ratings from the NHTSA and performed well in the limited evaluations by the IIHS.