2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 BMW X3

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the 2013 Volkswagen CrossBlue concept. This update included new lighting elements, such as light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of the new LED headlights, giving the Atlas a fresh "face" with American swagger. At the rear, the taillights blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. The Atlas also featured new wheel designs across all trim levels, with the SE base model sporting 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims received 20-inch or 21-inch wheels. The 2024 lineup introduced the Atlas Peak Edition, offering an outdoorsy flavor with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique styling elements. Inside, the Atlas received a revised look, with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist interior design that contrasted with its truck-like exterior. Volkswagen aimed to make the interior feel more upscale, with improved fake wood trim and available leather upholstery with contrast stitching.

The 2025 BMW X3, on the other hand, presented a seductive appearance for a two-box SUV. Its design featured an oversized grille, aerodynamically honed flanks, and athletic proportions, including a long and tall hood, captivating dashboard-to-axle ratio, and tapering greenhouse and roofline. The test model showcased expressive 21-inch wheels, emphasizing its taut, crouched appearance. The Arctic Race Blue paint, with chilly silver undertones, complemented the machined surface wheel finish, gloss black M Sport details, and Calm Beige upholstery. Inside, the X3's cabin was simple yet elegant, with plastic trim elements that glowed with ambient lighting. While quality materials were used in expected areas, some lower cabin sections revealed the X3's price point. The X3 was available in 30 xDrive and M50 xDrive model series, both with standard all-wheel drive. The base model's price started at $51,125, while the M50 xDrive reached $65,875. The X3 was priced competitively against its primary rivals, making it a good value. Our well-equipped X3 30 xDrive test vehicle, with extra-cost paint, wheels, and option packages, had an MSRP of $60,875.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, surpassing the previous VR6 engine's 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The turbo-four engine, an iteration of VW's EA888, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The additional torque made the 2024 Atlas quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models achieving zero to 60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite these improvements, the Atlas remained a family hauler, prioritizing comfort and frugality over performance. The ride quality was consistent with the pre-refresh model, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. The Atlas had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE, which was rated for 2,000 pounds.

In contrast, the 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite its 4,176-pound weight, the X3 achieved a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds, thanks to its eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive AWD system. The engine's power curve provided peak torque and horsepower from 1,600 rpm to 6,500 rpm. The X3 also had a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing off-the-line responsiveness and improving the engine's automatic start-stop system. For those seeking more power, the M50 xDrive offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The X3's M Sport package, sport-tuned suspension, and performance tires provided a dynamic driving experience, though the ride quality on imperfect roads was less comfortable. The X3 excelled on twisty roads, offering a delightful driving experience for a compact crossover SUV. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine also delivered impressive fuel economy, though our test vehicle achieved 24.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 29 mpg.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features for 2024, including a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats on the base SE trim. The SE with Technology added a power liftgate, while leather upholstery and heated second-row seats became standard on the SEL trim. The Atlas provided seating for seven with a three-seat second-row bench that could split-fold, recline, and slide. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, reducing seating capacity to six. The Atlas boasted competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with third-row legroom being the best in its class. Cargo space ranged from 96.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded to 20.6 cubic feet with all seats in place. The Atlas offered more cargo space than most rivals, except for the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 BMW X3 provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and Veganza artificial leather. The dashboard housed the BMW Curved Display, which included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The X3's cabin felt wider and larger than most compact crossovers, with angular trim elements that illuminated at night. The rear seats, however, were less comfortable, with passengers positioned too low and hard front seat-back panels causing discomfort. The cargo area measured 31.5 cubic feet and included a lightweight, easy-to-remove cargo cover, netted storage area, grocery bag hook, and illumination. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat allowed for versatile cargo and passenger arrangements.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received more standard tech features for 2024, including a 12-inch touchscreen, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six USB-C ports were standard, with up to eight available, including a dash cam port on higher trims. A head-up display was standard on SEL and higher trims. The Atlas switched to a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 12 speakers on higher trims. The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with a map view in the digital instrument cluster. However, the reliance on haptic touchpads for controls made them less intuitive to use.

The 2025 BMW X3 featured the BMW Curved Display with Operating System 9, an evolution of iDrive 8.5. The system offered a Quick Select user experience, allowing for easier navigation of menus and settings. Owners could create profiles using the MyBMW smartphone app, though our attempts were unsuccessful. The system occasionally froze and became unresponsive, and it sometimes forgot media preferences. Despite these issues, the navigation system with augmented video provided accurate directions. Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity worked flawlessly, offering a reliable alternative to the native infotainment features.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not released ratings for the 2024 Atlas, but the 2023 model received high scores in most crash tests. The Atlas included more standard driver-assist features for 2024, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL Premium R-Line added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also featured emergency assist and automatic post-collision braking.

The 2025 BMW X3 offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and active blind-spot monitoring. The Premium Package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, Steering Assistant, and Parking Assistant Plus. The Parking Assistant Professional Package included semi-automated parking tech and remote operation via the MyBMW smartphone app. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added hands-free Traffic Jam Assistant, Lane Change Assistant, and Evasion Assistant. The X3 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact crash test.