2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport showcased a refreshed design that mirrored the updates seen in its three-row sibling, the Atlas. It featured new lighting elements both at the front and rear, with the Volkswagen logos on the grille and tailgate now illuminated in white and red, respectively. This lighting innovation was first introduced in the all-electric Volkswagen ID.4. The front of the Cross Sport was adorned with a light bar connecting the daytime running lights, complemented by standard LED headlights, giving it a distinctly Americanized appearance. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cross Sport was designed with the U.S. market in mind. The rear of the vehicle, with its lower roofline, offered a silhouette reminiscent of German luxury crossover coupes, setting it apart from other two-row midsize crossovers. The Cross Sport was 5.2 inches shorter than the standard Atlas and sat slightly lower, enhancing its sporty stance.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, in contrast, maintained its chunky, boxy design introduced in its fifth generation in 2024. With a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose, it exuded a robust presence. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps aligned with Hyundai's design language, as seen in the Ioniq 5. The Santa Fe offered vibrant color options like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue, catering to those seeking alternatives to the typical gray and white SUV hues. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with the pixelated taillights positioned lower than ideal. Each trim level had distinct wheel designs, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, with the off-road-focused XRT trim featuring chrome and black accents. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the top Calligraphy trim, which offered captain's chairs in the second row. The interior ranged from basic cloth to luxurious Nappa leather, with some squeaks and rattles noted during testing. The inclusion of physical dials for HVAC temperature was appreciated, though the fan speed buttons were less intuitive.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine replaced the previous 3.6-liter VR6, marking the end of an era for VW. The new engine offered slightly less horsepower but more torque than the VR6, with peak torque arriving earlier at 1,550 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission paired well with the engine, though the engine noise was noticeable. Despite its "Sport" moniker, the Cross Sport was not particularly engaging to drive, with a ride quality that left room for improvement, possibly due to the 21-inch wheels on the test model. The maximum towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Available in both FWD and AWD, the Santa Fe utilized an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for a total of 231 horsepower. The Santa Fe demonstrated stability in corners, with firm brakes and responsive steering, though turbo lag was noticeable during acceleration. The gear selector, located on a stalk on the steering column, required some acclimation. The XRT trim, equipped with 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, offered improved off-road geometry, though it was not designed for rugged rock crawling. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied, with most trims capable of towing 3,500 pounds, while the XRT could tow up to 4,500 pounds.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with enhanced standard equipment, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats were standard, and the SE with Technology trim added a power liftgate and tow hitch. The SEL trim featured heated second-row seats and leather upholstery. While front headroom was competitive, the Cross Sport's roofline reduced rear-seat headroom. Cargo space was generous, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cabin offered functional storage solutions, including a redesigned center console and spacious door pockets.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's base SE trim was modestly equipped, featuring a hands-free liftgate and dual-zone climate control. The XRT trim added heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet. The top Calligraphy trim offered heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats. The Santa Fe boasted ample interior space, with the most third-row legroom in its class. Cargo capacity was competitive, with 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 79.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The rear opening was widened to 50.2 inches, facilitating the loading of large items. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied, with most trims capable of towing 3,500 pounds, while the XRT could tow up to 4,500 pounds.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the haptic touchpads for controls were less intuitive than traditional buttons. The Cross Sport offered up to six USB-C ports, with a USB-C dash cam port available on higher trims. The SEL trim included a head-up display, and the SEL Premium R-Line featured a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, with the top trims also receiving a digital gauge cluster. The infotainment system was praised for its clarity and responsiveness, though navigation was not standard on all trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, with additional features like Amazon Music and a Wi-Fi hotspot available on upper trims. The Santa Fe offered multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging for two phones. A digital key feature allowed for remote access and sharing, while a fingerprint scanner provided added security. The top trims offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display. The Bluelink app connectivity provided remote access and monitoring features, with over-the-air updates ensuring the latest software.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IQ.Drive package, now standard on all models, included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Travel Assist. Higher trims added features like predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like rear parking collision avoidance assist and Highway Drive Assist. The top trims included a blind spot avoidance feature and a Blind-View Monitor. The NHTSA awarded the Santa Fe a four-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS rated it as Good in most categories, with Acceptable scores for headlights and LATCH.