Volkswagen Atlas vs Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas continues as VW’s American-market three-row SUV (a two-row Atlas Cross Sport is also available, but we’ll cover that separately), largely unchanged from its substantial 2024 refresh. For 2026, Volkswagen adds a factory-installed HomeLink rearview mirror to all but the base Atlas SE trim level–hardly groundbreaking stuff. What remains, however, is a vehicle that impresses with its upscale appearance and a genuinely spacious interior. A stiff ride and poorly executed technology will fight and frustrate you every step of the way, but the Atlas will nonetheless make you look good.

Verdict: The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas delivers on its core promise of style and space at a non-luxury price point. If you can tolerate its subpar ride quality and maddening infotainment system—or if you simply plan to rely on Apple CarPlay and ignore the native tech—this handsome three-row SUV offers compelling value for shoppers prioritizing looks and space.

Among small crossovers, the 2026 Kona is one of the biggest in size, passenger room, and cargo volume. Turbocharging and all-wheel drive (AWD) are available, and for this class, the technology is impressive. This year, Hyundai simplified the lineup, shrinking it down to four trim levels with mostly cosmetic differences. More safety features are standard this year, too.

Verdict: With the 2026 Kona, Hyundai offers a terrific small SUV. Putting the polarizing design and the unimpressive base powertrain aside, there are few reasons to skip it and a long list of reasons to choose it.