2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept of 2013. This update introduced new lighting elements, including 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 new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a more Americanized appearance, moving away from its European roots. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar, housing the illuminated logo. All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the base SE model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims boasted 20-inch or 21-inch wheels. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering a more rugged look with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior colors. Inside, the interior saw a revised design, with a freestanding infotainment touchscreen and a minimalist shifter, creating more functional space. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved materials, although some areas still felt less premium.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its distinctive appearance, drawing retro comparisons to the Lancia Delta. The mid-cycle refresh kept the styling largely unchanged, with minor revisions to the lower front fascia. The "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, round wheel arches, and high rear spoiler remained key design elements. The new XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern. Exclusive colors like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl were introduced, along with new wheel designs. The interior maintained its open and uncluttered space, with a minimalistic and modern feel typical of Hyundai EVs. The center console was revised for functionality, and the XRT trim featured a dark interior with all-weather floor mats. The Ioniq 5's interior changes were subtle, but the addition of a rear windshield wiper addressed a common complaint. The transition to the North American Charging System (NACS) allowed access to Tesla's Supercharger network, enhancing charging convenience.

For 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas streamlined its powertrain options, eliminating the VR6 engine and leaving only a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, offering more torque than the previous VR6 and turbo-four engines. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The additional torque made the 2024 Atlas quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models achieving 0 to 60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite the improvements, the Atlas remained focused on comfort and practicality rather than performance. The ride quality was consistent with previous models, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode. However, the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement, lacking low range and underbody protection. The maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT featured a Terrain Mode button on the steering wheel, offering Snow, Mud, and Sand modes that adjusted throttle mapping, wheel slip, power distribution, and regenerative braking. The XRT handled off-road conditions well, with the regenerative braking system eliminating the need for hill-descent control. The Ioniq 5 XRT was available only in AWD, while other trims offered RWD or AWD options. The 2025 model year saw increased battery capacity, resulting in longer ranges. Most trims could travel 318 miles in RWD configuration, while AWD reduced the range to 290 miles for SE and SEL trims, 269 miles for the Limited, and 259 miles for the XRT. Power output varied with the powertrain choice, with RWD models producing 168 to 225 horsepower and AWD models delivering 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 5 offered an enjoyable driving experience with instant electric torque.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features, 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 excelled in headroom and legroom across all three rows, with competitive measurements compared to rivals. Cargo space varied 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 competitors, except for the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed a common complaint by adding a rear windshield wiper. The interior featured a movable center console with fore-and-aft cupholders and a wireless charging pad. Heated front seats were standard, with a heated steering wheel available on the SEL trim. The Limited trim offered front seat ventilation and driver's seat memory, but heated rear seats were not available. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, with headroom measuring 39.1-39.8 inches in the front and 37.5-38.7 inches in the rear. Legroom was generous, with 41.7 inches in the front and 39.4 inches in the back seat. Cargo space measured 26.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 58.5 cubic feet with them folded down, with an additional .85 cubic feet in the "frunk." The Ioniq 5's headroom was comparable to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, but it offered more cargo space than the Genesis GV60. The transition to the North American Charging System (NACS) allowed access to Tesla's Supercharger network, enhancing charging convenience.

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

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its pair of 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster. Hyundai promised improved functionality with faster processing speeds and enhanced GPS accuracy. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were now standard. The Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT trim, while SE and SEL trims had a six-speaker sound system. All trims featured standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and Bluetooth connectivity for two devices. The Ioniq 5 included a clever USB feature that allowed users to choose between charging only or charging and data transmitting. A head-up display was available on the Limited trim, and a wireless charging pad was standard from the SEL trim level.

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 model, but the 2023 model received high scores in most crash tests. The Atlas offered more standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist for highway driving. The SEL Premium R-Line added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also featured emergency response systems, such as automatic post-collision braking and a crash response system.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and received a five-star rating from the NHTSA. The safety suite included an enhanced driver attention system with haptic steering wheel feedback and hands-on detection. New features included reverse and forward parking-distance warning. The XRT trim featured a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2 were available, with HDA 1 combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while HDA 2 added lane-changing capability and machine learning.