2024 Cadillac LYRIQ 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 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 on 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 Cross Sport's interior received similar updates to the standard Atlas, featuring a central touchscreen that stood upright and a raised center console with a small storage nook beneath it. This was made possible by a new electronic shifter. Interior trim options included standard leatherette upholstery, with leather seats available on SEL and higher models, and quilted leather upholstery with a diamond pattern on the top SEL Premium R-Line trim. Despite efforts to improve the simulated wood and carbon-fiber-facsimile trim, these elements remained plastic. The Cross Sport also offered new wheel designs for 2024, with options ranging from 18-inch alloy wheels on the base SE to 21-inch wheels on the SEL Premium R-Line, which also featured sportier styling elements.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ was a testament to Cadillac's commitment to striking exterior styling. It exuded a commanding street presence, with a design that blended SUV trends with the elegance of a long sedan. Drawing inspiration from the classic Seville, the LYRIQ boasted a long wheelbase, short tail, wide track, and a unique style characterized by a long hood. The front of the LYRIQ featured vertical light bars with nine LED headlights that performed a light show upon unlocking the car. The grille, adorned with lighting effects, varied in design across trims, with the Sport trim showcasing a dark triangular motif. The LYRIQ's 22-inch wheels added to its imposing look, although the effect was diminished with the standard 20-inch wheels.

The LYRIQ's interior was a showcase of Cadillac's attention to detail. The seats featured C-shaped headrests and were entirely leather-wrapped, offering the support expected of a luxury brand. The window switches and door-mounted seat controls were polished in black and outlined in chrome, resting atop a piece of stained wood. The armrest was padded with leather and trimmed with aluminum, which seamlessly formed the speaker grille. The steering wheel was unique to Cadillac, featuring knurled toggle switches and a sleek black panel of buttons. The air vents, controlled by swiveling knobs, added a retro touch. However, the floating center console, while visually appealing, offered limited functionality. The 33-inch OLED display was a standout feature, providing a modern touch without overwhelming the space.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). This marked the end of the VR6 engine era for VW, as the new turbo-four delivered 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel. While this was slightly less horsepower than the VR6, it offered more torque, with peak torque arriving earlier at 1,550 rpm compared to the VR6's 3,600 rpm. Although specific performance numbers weren't provided, VW anticipated quicker acceleration from zero to 60 mph compared to the 2023 model with the VR6. The Cross Sport's maximum towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE, which was rated at 2,000 pounds.

Despite its "Sport" moniker, the Cross Sport was not particularly engaging to drive. The ride quality was subpar, possibly due to the test car's 21-inch wheels. The engine, while powerful, was noisy, and the noise-to-power ratio was concerning. The Cross Sport's performance was more suited to a laid-back cruiser, but it failed to deliver a comfortable ride. For those seeking better towing capabilities, the two-row Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a higher towing capacity of up to 6,200 pounds with its base V6.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ, despite its sporty exterior, was more at home on the interstate, offering a calm and poised ride. It featured two Chinese-sourced motors, delivering an impressive 500 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque for continuous AWD. The standard setup was a single rear motor with 340 hp and 325 lb-ft. Both powertrains utilized a 102-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with Cadillac claiming a range of 314 miles for RWD and 307 miles for AWD. However, real-world testing showed a maximum range closer to 260 miles. The LYRIQ's charging capabilities were decent, with the battery topping up to 80 percent in about 30 to 35 minutes at DC fast-charging stations.

The LYRIQ's handling was hindered by its weight, tipping the scales at 5,800 pounds. This affected its agility, with significant understeer and howling tires during sharp turns. The steering feel was uninspiring, and the braking system, while strong, was not confidence-inspiring for hard use, especially when towing. The LYRIQ's maximum towing capacity was 3,500 pounds for the AWD model. Regenerative braking could be activated via the steering wheel paddle or touchscreen, helping to alleviate some stress on the friction brakes.

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. The front seats were ventilated and heated, while the SE with Technology trim added a power liftgate and tow hitch. The SEL trim featured heated second-row seats and leather upholstery. The Cross Sport's roofline impacted rear-seat headroom, but legroom was competitive. Cargo space was generous, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The Cross Sport's cabin was functional, with ample storage space in the center console and door pockets. The new center console design included generously sized cupholders and a storage area underneath. The Cross Sport's cargo capacity was slightly less than the Honda Passport but more than the Chevy Blazer.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ faced challenges in build quality and functionality. Issues included misaligned rear fenders, a motorized charging port that dropped open, and a dash tray that didn't close properly. The glovebox was difficult to access while driving, and the floating console offered limited storage space. The rotary selector for the touchscreen was less intuitive than direct touch interaction. Drive mode selection required navigating multiple menus, and the metal door handles were easily mistaken for window switches.

Despite these issues, the LYRIQ offered generous headroom and legroom. The spacious back seat came at the expense of cargo space, with 28 cubic feet behind the seats and 60.8 cubic feet when folded. This was smaller than most compact SUVs, but the LYRIQ prioritized passenger comfort over cargo capacity.

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, but 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 premium audio system was upgraded to a Harman Kardon 12-speaker system on the SEL Premium R-Line model.

The 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ boasted a 33-inch OLED screen with three sections, offering touch-enabled controls for lighting and gauge cluster layouts. The infotainment system ran native Google Maps and Google Assistant, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The available Super Cruise system provided hands-free driving capabilities, with a helpful colored bar on the steering wheel indicating system status. The 19-speaker AKG stereo offered variable surround sound modes, enhancing the audio experience.

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 crash 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 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and Cadillac's Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, rear emergency braking, and a rear camera displayed on the rearview mirror.