Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Grand Cherokee L 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 and the Grand Cherokee L have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 125 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Grand Cherokee L has not been tested, yet.

The Atlas comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck. The Grand Cherokee L’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Grand Cherokee L’s (7 vs. 5 years).

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Grand Cherokee L’s 3.6 DOHC V6 engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the Atlas have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the Grand Cherokee L.

The Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 260) than the Grand Cherokee L’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas V6 is faster than the Jeep Grand Cherokee L V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the Grand Cherokee L:

Regardless of its engine, the Atlas’ 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. Jeep only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the Grand Cherokee L V6.

The Atlas stops much shorter than the Grand Cherokee L:

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Grand Cherokee L doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 1.6 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Grand Cherokee L.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the Grand Cherokee L Overland 4x4 pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Grand Cherokee L Overland 4x4 (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 650 pounds less than the Jeep Grand Cherokee L.

The Atlas is 4.2 inches shorter than the Grand Cherokee L, making the Atlas easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Volkswagen Atlas amounts to more than styling. The Atlas has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .34 Cd. That is lower than the Grand Cherokee L (.357). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Atlas get better fuel mileage.

The Atlas has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room, 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1 inch more third row headroom, 3.4 inches more third row legroom, 2.2 inches more third row hip room and 3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Grand Cherokee L.

The front step up height for the Atlas is 2.2 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee L (18” vs. 20.2”). The Atlas’ rear step up height is 2.2 inches lower than the Grand Cherokee L’s (18” vs. 20.2”).

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the Grand Cherokee L.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the Grand Cherokee L’s liftover is 32.2 inches.

The Atlas’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Grand Cherokee L’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully. Only its driver’s window closes automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Grand Cherokee L can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Grand Cherokee L’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

The Grand Cherokee L’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Atlas SEL’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L isn't recommended.