Volkswagen Tiguan vs 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 at both 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 characterized by a light bar connecting the daytime running lights, part of the new standard LED headlights, which contributed to a more Americanized aesthetic. 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 appearance.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, marking the beginning of its third generation. It adopted a sleek, modern look inspired by Volkswagen's electric vehicle lineup, most notably seen in the narrower headlights and a plastic trim element at the front, reminiscent of the ID.4 EV. The grille appeared larger, occupying the lower half of the front fascia, with smaller actual grille openings and large air intakes flanking it. The side profile featured a sportier tapering hatch, enhanced by a black contrasting roof and dark-tinted windows. The Tiguan's rear was updated with a single bar taillight spanning the liftgate, and the logo and bar illuminated in the top trim. The interior saw a modernization with a minimalist dashboard, a digital instrument panel, and a tablet-like infotainment display. The gear selector was moved to the steering column, allowing for more storage space in the center console.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine replaced the previous 3.6-liter VR6 engine, marking the end of an era for Volkswagen. The new turbo-four offered slightly less horsepower but more torque than the VR6, with peak torque arriving earlier at 1,550 rpm. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. Despite the engine's power, the Cross Sport was not particularly engaging to drive, with a ride quality that left something to be desired. The maximum towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. This was an increase in horsepower but a decrease in torque compared to the previous generation. The engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and 4Motion all-wheel drive available on all models. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to its predecessor, reaching 60 mph in approximately 8.5 seconds. The drivetrain provided smooth and linear power delivery, with confident braking and a suspension tuned for comfort. The Tiguan's cabin was quiet, even on coarse roads, and it handled corners with minimal body roll. A more powerful Turbo version was anticipated for 2026, offering 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, along with a teased hybrid powertrain.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with more standard equipment, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated front seats were also standard, with heated second-row seats and leather upholstery available on the SEL trim. The Cross Sport offered competitive legroom, though the roofline reduced rear-seat headroom. Cargo space was generous, with 40.3 cubic feet available with the rear seats up and 77.6 cubic feet with them folded down. The cabin was functional, with ample storage space in the center console and door pockets.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row of seats, resulting in increased second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The interior saw the removal of capacitive-touch buttons, replaced by traditional controls on the steering wheel. Visibility from the driver's seat was comparable to other small SUVs, with narrow front roof pillars and a sufficiently large rear window. The center console offered more storage space, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity was not finalized, but the new area appeared smaller than before, with an angled liftgate hatch limiting bulkier object loading. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate were standard on most trims.

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

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a wireless phone charger in the center armrest bin. The infotainment system featured capacitive-touch sliders, but a new volume knob on the center console improved usability. The Tiguan introduced the Atmospheres feature, combining ambient lighting and audio settings to enhance mood. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available on the top trim. VW's Car-Net system offered remote monitoring and control, plus a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side-impact crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS had not released ratings for the 2024 model, but the 2023 model received top "Good" scores in most 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 predictive adaptive cruise control, park assist, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were not yet available from the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, safe passenger exit warnings, parking proximity sensors, automatic high beams, and a driver condition monitor. The Emergency Assist system could slow the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Higher trims added a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, a traffic sign reader, and a semi-automated parking system. The safety features functioned well, with no false alarms or oversensitivity issues.