2027 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid continued the evolutionary design improvements seen in its predecessors, maintaining its attractive appeal. The most noticeable change was the front fascia, featuring a frameless grille with a curved wing bar that seamlessly connected with the headlights, creating a distinctive smile-like appearance. The aerodynamic air inlets and outlets integrated into the black plastic cladding around the wheel arches not only enhanced fuel efficiency but also reduced road noise. Inside, the Crosstrek Hybrid offered a balance of rugged utility and refined comfort, with a straightforward design that emphasized function. The cabin featured soft-touch surfaces and durable plastics, with gray StarTex seats accented by orange contrast stitching. The Limited Hybrid trim added upscale touches like chrome-trimmed power window switches and a heated steering wheel, while an optional power moonroof contributed to an airy atmosphere.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas presented a challenge for its designers, tasked with updating an already beautiful vehicle. The redesign largely succeeded, with a crisp character line and flared wheel arches giving the Atlas a robust profile. The rear featured cascading taillights with selectable lighting animations, although the honeycomb lower diffuser was less appealing. The front design, however, was less successful, with stacked headlights and dual light bars creating a somewhat cluttered appearance. Despite this, the Atlas maintained its reputation for spaciousness, with firm and supportive front seats, ample second-row legroom, and a genuinely adult-friendly third row. The cargo space was generous, with 21.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 95.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Standard features included a hands-free power liftgate and dual cargo-area lights, enhancing practicality for families.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid came standard with all-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission. It featured a 2.5-liter engine paired with a 118-hp traction motor, delivering a total system output of 194 horsepower, making it the fastest Crosstrek to date. The hybrid system utilized two motor-generators, one for engine start/stop and battery charging, and the other as a drive motor and for regenerative braking. During testing, the Crosstrek Hybrid achieved 31 miles per gallon, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 36 mpg. Subaru's AWD system, combined with the X-Mode traction management system, provided superior capability on variable terrain compared to competitors like the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. The steering was light yet precise, thanks to a revised dual-pinion steering rack, and the vehicle exhibited less body lean than previous models.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 282 horsepower, with torque reduced to 258 pound-feet. Despite the lower torque, the Atlas remained responsive, though the engine felt busy at times. The eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth shifts, and all-wheel drive was standard on R-Line trims. The Atlas delivered a driving experience characteristic of Volkswagen, with tight steering and improved ride quality on 21-inch wheels. Fuel economy improved to 25 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 23 mpg with all-wheel drive. The Atlas also offered a 5,000-pound tow rating on most trims, enhancing its versatility for family adventures.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid improved upon its predecessors by offering more horsepower and cargo space. With a cargo volume of 18.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.6 cubic feet with the rear row folded, it provided ample storage without the high trunk floor of previous models. The gas tank remained a generous 16.6 gallons, allowing for long-distance travel without frequent refueling. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 36.7 inches of legroom, significantly more than competitors like the Corolla Cross Hybrid. However, front storage was limited, with a small tray for a wireless charging pad and two cupholders.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas continued to excel in interior space, offering firm and supportive front seats with memory and thigh support on R-Line trims. The second row provided ample legroom, with heated and ventilated outboard seats available on R-Line trims. The third row accommodated adults comfortably, with 34.1 inches of legroom. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 21.2 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 95.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Standard features like a hands-free power liftgate and dual cargo-area lights added convenience for families.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch touchscreen standard on all trims, but the infotainment system lagged behind competitors in terms of responsiveness and ease of use. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the touchscreen's slow response and fingerprint-prone surface detracted from the experience. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a Harman Kardon stereo and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, though the navigation map display was limited.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas boasted a 15-inch touchscreen on most trims, with a 12.9-inch unit on the base SE. The screens were sharp and responsive, but many functions required multiple taps, and the climate and volume sliders lacked haptic feedback. A new Driver Experience Dial reintroduced a real volume knob and allowed for drive mode and ambient lighting adjustments. Device charging was plentiful, with two wireless pads and seven USB-C ports. The SEL Premium R-Line featured a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system, and subscription-based features included Premium Navigation and a ChatGPT-powered voice assistant.

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid received mixed safety ratings, with the IIHS awarding it a Marginal in the moderate overlap front crash test and an Acceptable in the side-impact test. The NHTSA, however, gave it a five-star overall rating. Subaru's EyeSight ADAS suite included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pre-collision braking, though it lacked a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2027 Volkswagen Atlas had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the previous model received high ratings. The Atlas came standard with VW's IQ.Drive suite, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control. Emergency Assist Plus was a notable addition, capable of steering the vehicle to safety if the driver became unresponsive. The Atlas also included a new front center airbag and standard parking sensors.