2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Mazda CX-5

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the 2013 CrossBlue concept. New lighting elements, including light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover, were added. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, part of the new LED headlights reminiscent of a Ford Expedition, gave the Atlas a fresh "face" with American swagger. At the rear, the taillights merged into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. New wheel designs were introduced across all trim levels, with sizes ranging from 18 to 21 inches. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering an outdoorsy vibe with black wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique colors.

Inside, the Atlas received a revised look, focusing on the center of the cabin. The infotainment touchscreen was repositioned, and the shifter was reduced to a toggle, creating more space. The interior aimed for an upscale feel with improved fake wood trim and new weaved plastic trim. Leatherette seats were standard, with leather upholstery available on higher trims. The SEL Premium R-Line featured diamond stitching, though some materials felt more suited to a base model.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 was praised for its attractive design, standing out with graceful curves rather than sharp angles. Despite not being redesigned since 2017, its styling remained impressive, resembling an entry-level luxury SUV. The interior boasted nicer-than-average materials and a layout bridging older analog cockpits with newer digital trends. It lacked a massive touchscreen, opting for traditional buttons and knobs, which enhanced usability. The CX-5's interior featured soft-touch materials and high-quality plastics, comparable to last-generation Acura or Lexus models, making it feel more special than similarly priced competitors.

For 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas reduced its powertrain options to a single 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, part of VW's EA888 series, was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Atlas was quicker than its six-cylinder predecessor, with FWD models reaching 60 mph in eight seconds and AWD models in 8.3 seconds. Despite improvements, the Atlas prioritized comfort over performance, with a smooth but noisy engine. The Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad mode, but the 4Motion AWD system was mainly pavement-focused. The Atlas maintained a 5,000-pound towing capacity, except for the base SE model.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine choices: a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, and a Turbo model with 256 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The base engine accelerated to 60 mph in about eight seconds, while the Turbo model was quicker by two seconds. The CX-5 excelled in sporty driving dynamics, with minimal body roll and a firm yet acceptable ride quality. Its quiet cabin reduced fatigue on long journeys, making it more entertaining and inspiring compared to other SUVs in its class.

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. The Atlas accommodated seven passengers with a three-seat second-row bench, which could be replaced by captain's chairs on higher trims. The third-row bench was standard, providing competitive headroom and legroom across all rows. Cargo space varied from 20.6 to 96.6 cubic feet, surpassing most rivals except the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5's interior scored high for design and refinement but lagged in practicality and space. It offered adequate headroom and rear legroom, though competitors like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage provided more. The CX-5's cargo space was 30.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 58.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While the cargo area was wide and flat, it fell short compared to rivals. The front seats featured moderately sized storage options, with midlevel trims adding a wireless charging pad.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas included more standard tech features, such as a 12-inch touchscreen, a 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. A head-up display was standard on higher trims, and the premium audio system upgraded to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon setup. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though haptic touchpads for controls were less intuitive.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 featured a 10.25-inch infotainment display controlled via a center console dial. The system was easy to operate, with logical menus and a dial that facilitated quick selections. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could be controlled via the touchscreen or dial, with wireless integration available on midrange trims. The CX-5's analog gauges felt dated, but a head-up display was standard on higher trims. The audio system ranged from a four-speaker setup to a 10-speaker Bose system on the Signature model. Remote vehicle monitoring and a Wi-Fi hotspot were also available.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS hadn't rated the 2024 model, but the 2023 version received high scores except for a "Marginal" rating in the updated moderate overlap front test. The Atlas included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included park assist and a surround-view camera system on higher trims.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5 earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for four stars in rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the 2024 model a "Good" rating in all tests and a Top Safety Pick rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The Turbo Signature trim featured a driver attention monitor and rear automatic braking.