Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the X5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the BMW X5:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the BMW X5:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 81 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas Cross Sport’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the X5’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas Cross Sport gets better mileage than the X5:

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the X5 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Atlas Cross Sports have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the X5 M50i.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The X5 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the X5:

For better maneuverability, the Atlas Cross Sport’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the X5’s (40.5 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 700 to 800 pounds less than the BMW X5.

The design of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport amounts to more than styling. The Atlas Cross Sport offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .34 to .36 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the X5 (.36 to .38). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Atlas Cross Sport get better fuel mileage.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.9 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear legroom and 2.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the X5.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X5 with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 33.9 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X5 with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 72.3 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X5 (1091 vs. 827 lbs.).

The Atlas Cross Sport has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X5 (1091 vs. 1030 lbs.).

Consumer Reports rated the Atlas Cross Sport’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the X5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Atlas Cross Sport offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the BMW X5 by over two to one during the 2021 model year.