Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2022 Lexus RX

The Atlas Cross Sport has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, 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 Lexus RX:

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 Lexus RX:

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

The Atlas Cross Sport’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the RX’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas Cross Sport for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX (2/20,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 3 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Lexus 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 RX’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Regardless of its engine, the Atlas Cross Sport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the RX 450h, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

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 RX 450h requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (18.6 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the RX:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the RX (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (265/45R21 vs. 235/65R18).

The Atlas Cross Sport SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 65 series tires. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line has standard 21-inch wheels. The RX’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 7.5 inches longer than on the RX (117.3 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than on the RX.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL 4Motion handles at .81 G’s, while the RX 450h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.6 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 16 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 32.6 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RX’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RX is only 3500 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas Cross Sport’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the RX’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The RX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Lexus RX by 4827 units during the 2021 model year.