Volkswagen Atlas vs Cadillac LYRIQ

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas presented a challenging task for its designers, who had to refresh an already attractive vehicle. The redesign mostly succeeded, with a striking profile highlighted by a crisp character line and flared wheel arches that gave the Atlas a robust presence. The rear design was particularly impressive, featuring cascading taillights with selectable lighting animations. However, the front design was less successful, with a cluttered appearance due to stacked headlights and a misplaced VW badge. Despite this, the Atlas maintained its appeal with a luxurious interior upgrade, featuring real wood on the dash and a choice of leather upholstery. The ambient lighting options added a vibrant touch, although some might find it overwhelming. Overall, the Atlas's cabin exuded a sense of luxury that belied its price, making it a standout in its class.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ continued to captivate with its striking design, maintaining its allure even after five years. Its interior was a harmonious blend of technology and classic luxury, with high-quality materials and user-friendly toggle switches for climate controls. Despite previous concerns about build quality, the test vehicle showed improvements, suggesting Cadillac had addressed these issues. The LYRIQ's design and material quality were exceptional, although potential buyers were advised to thoroughly inspect their vehicles before purchase. The LYRIQ's aesthetic appeal and luxurious interior made it a compelling choice for those seeking a sophisticated electric SUV.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas featured an updated EA888 engine, producing 282 horsepower, a 13-horsepower increase from the previous year. However, torque decreased to 258 pound-feet, a 15-pound-foot drop. Despite this, the Atlas remained responsive, though its engine felt busy and less refined compared to the retired VR6. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and the Atlas offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The Atlas's driving dynamics were commendable, with precise steering and improved ride quality on 21-inch wheels. Fuel economy improved to 25 mpg combined for FWD and 23 mpg for AWD, with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a range of powertrains, starting with a single-motor RWD version producing 365 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, with an EPA-rated range of 326 miles. The dual-motor AWD LYRIQ-V delivered 615 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque, with a range of up to 285 miles. The tested AWD model produced 515 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 319 miles. Despite its power, the LYRIQ's throttle was tuned for a refined, linear acceleration, reminiscent of a classic V8. The LYRIQ excelled in ride comfort, even on 22-inch wheels, and offered three braking settings for a customizable driving experience.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas remained one of the roomiest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for passengers and cargo. The front seats were firm and supportive, with additional features like memory and thigh support in the R-Line trims. The second row provided generous legroom, with optional captain's chairs reducing seating capacity to six. The third row offered adult-friendly space, with 34.1 inches of legroom. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 21.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. Standard features included a hands-free power liftgate and dual cargo-area lights.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ offered decent interior storage, with large cupholders and door bins. The center console featured a deep armrest bin and a space-saving wireless charger. Cargo space was 28 cubic feet behind the rear seats, accommodating six suitcases with room to spare. The LYRIQ's rear seats provided ample legroom, making it suitable for taller passengers and rear-facing child seats. While it lacked a frunk, the LYRIQ's cargo capacity was competitive, though slightly less than some rivals.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas featured a 15-inch touchscreen on most trims, with a 12.9-inch unit on the base SE. Both screens were sharp and responsive, complemented by a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. The R-Line trims added a head-up display. However, the reliance on touchscreens for many functions required a learning curve. Device charging was abundant, with two Qi2 wireless pads and seven USB-C ports. A nine-speaker stereo was standard, with a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system on the SEL Premium R-Line. Some features required a subscription, including Premium Navigation and a ChatGPT-powered voice assistant.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ featured a beautifully crisp OLED touchscreen, enhancing the cabin's luxurious look. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google built-in functions. The AKS audio system with Dolby Atmos provided exceptional sound quality, with speaker grilles adding to the cabin's aesthetic appeal. The LYRIQ's infotainment system offered a compelling design and functionality, appealing to those who valued a blend of technology and luxury.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing. However, it came equipped with VW's IQ.Drive suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. The new Emergency Assist Plus feature could steer the vehicle to safety if the driver became unresponsive. A front center airbag and other safety features were standard, with additional options on the R-Line trims.

The 2027 Cadillac LYRIQ offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, with GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving assist system as standard. The LYRIQ received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with some room for improvement in pedestrian crash prevention and headlight performance. Super Cruise provided a sophisticated and user-friendly driving experience, enhancing the LYRIQ's safety credentials.