2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

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, part of the new standard LED headlights, which contributed to a more Americanized aesthetic. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Cross Sport was designed specifically for the U.S. market. 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 interior of the Cross Sport received similar updates to the standard Atlas, with a central touchscreen now standing upright and a raised center console providing additional storage space. The interior trim carried over from the three-row Atlas models, featuring standard leatherette upholstery, leather seats on SEL and higher models, and quilted leather upholstery with a diamond pattern on the top SEL Premium R-Line trim level. Despite efforts to improve the simulated wood and carbon-fiber-facsimile trim, the materials remained predominantly plastic. The Cross Sport also introduced 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 boasted sportier styling elements.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, faceless grille spanning the entire front end. The vehicle's personality shifted with different color and trim levels, with body-colored vertical strakes at each edge that could appear jarring in lighter shades but blended harmoniously in darker ones. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights flanking the grille. The side profile continued the bold theme with faceted and angular fender sculpting and unusual black plastic tabs atop each wheel well. The rear view adopted a different style, with rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover.

Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout with a stark, buttonless modern appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, equipped with the optional SX Prestige Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette reminiscent of Volvo's interiors. The seats were covered in synthetic leather and suede, with other trims featuring synthetic leather and fabric combinations. While the seats provided adequate comfort, the flat and firm cushions could create uncomfortable hard spots on longer drives. The surrounding materials quality was excellent for the class, with options for engineered wood and carbon trim surfaces. The Telluride's interior was spacious, with ample room for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers.

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 an era for VW, as the Atlas and Cross Sport were the last models to use the automaker's 3.6-liter VR6 engine. The new turbo-four engine delivered 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel, slightly less horsepower but more torque than the previous VR6 engine. Peak torque arrived earlier at 1,550 rpm compared to 3,600 rpm for the VR6. While VW did not provide specific performance numbers, the automaker expected the 2024 Cross Sport to be quicker from zero to 60 mph than the 2023 model with the VR6.

The Cross Sport's maximum towing capacity remained at 5,000 pounds, except for the base SE model, which was rated at 2,000 pounds. Despite its "Sport" moniker, the Cross Sport was not particularly engaging to drive, with a lackluster ride quality that might have been partly due to the test car's 21-inch wheels. The engine, while powerful, was not sonorous, and the noise-to-power ratio was concerning. The Cross Sport's performance was adequate for most buyers, but those seeking more excitement might consider alternatives like the two-row Jeep Grand Cherokee, which offered a higher towing capacity.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It offered less horsepower but more torque than the previous V6 engine, delivering similar performance. The engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the base LX trim and all-wheel drive available as an option on other trims. The Telluride Hybrid added electric motors powered by a 1.65-kWh battery pack, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. It was mated to a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims.

The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a noticeably quieter ride. The transition between electric and gas power was seamless, with the engine remaining quiet even under hard acceleration. The Hybrid's ride quality was luxuriously smooth, with the X-Pro Prestige trim offering surprising comfort despite its lifted off-road suspension. The 18-inch wheels with tall-sidewall tires absorbed bumps and ruts effectively, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's handling was composed and controllable, instilling confidence on winding roads. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring some adjustment, but brake response was immediate in panic stops.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received additional standard equipment for 2024, including heated side mirrors, two-zone automatic climate control, and a heated steering wheel. The front seats were now ventilated as well as heated. The SE with Technology trim added a standard power liftgate and tow hitch, while heated second-row seats and leather upholstery became standard on the SEL trim. The Cross Sport offered competitive legroom in the first row, but the fashion-statement roofline reduced rear-seat headroom, creating a more cramped feeling for taller passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 40.3 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The Cross Sport's cabin was functional, with a new center console providing ample storage space, including generously sized cupholders. The door pockets could hold multiple drink bottles without rattling. The Cross Sport's styling did not significantly impact cargo space, offering more storage than some rivals like the Chevy Blazer but slightly less than the Honda Passport.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The seat cushions were mounted low to the floor, reducing thigh support for adult-sized passengers, but headroom and legroom were adequate. The elevated seating position in the third row provided a better view out the front. The Hybrid SX Prestige test vehicle with the optional Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel fore and aft, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom as needed.

The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet available behind the third row and 48.7 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded down. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space compared to non-hybrid models. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 pounds for the Hybrid. The cabin offered ample storage for smaller personal items, with a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and medium-sized door pockets. The second row featured a tray and bin that slid out from the console, and the third row had dual cupholders on each side.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with intuitive layouts and well-designed graphics. However, the haptic touchpads used in place of conventional buttons were less convenient, requiring precise presses and visual confirmation. The Cross Sport offered up to six USB-C ports, with a USB-C dash cam port added on SE with Technology and above models. The SEL trim included a head-up display as standard, and the optional premium audio system was upgraded to a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The LX and S trims had a smaller 4.2-inch instrument panel, but all screens were housed within a common panel atop the dashboard. The infotainment system included a native navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, though there were occasional delays and the climate control screen was difficult to view while driving. The Telluride offered customizable infotainment screen themes, including options from NBA, National Geographic, Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel. The SX trim and above featured a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system, delivering powerful bass and clear tones.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side-impact crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not released ratings for the 2024 Cross Sport at the time of publication, but the structurally similar 2023 model earned top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests. The IQ.Drive package of driver aids, previously limited to higher trim levels, was now standard on all 2024 Atlas Cross Sport models. It included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Travel Assist. SEL and SEL R-Line models added predictive adaptive cruise control, while the Premium R-Line included park assist and a surround-view camera system.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard advanced safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors/reminders. Higher-trimmed Tellurides offered additional features such as a surround-view camera system, a blind-spot camera system, side parking proximity sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride also included a driver attention monitor, though it occasionally triggered false alerts at night. The highway driving assist was particularly helpful on longer trips, maintaining lane centering and a consistent gap to vehicles ahead.