Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 BMW X7

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Atlas 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 X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

Both the Atlas and the X7 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.

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 X7 has not been tested, yet.

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’ warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the X7’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 gets better mileage than the X7:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The X7 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 X7 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the X7.

For better maneuverability, the Atlas’ turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the X7 w/Rear Steering’s (40.5 feet vs. 40.7 feet). The Atlas’ turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the X7 xDrive40i’s (40.5 feet vs. 42.7 feet).

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1150 pounds less than the BMW X7.

The Atlas has 1.9 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.7 inches more third row headroom, .4 inches more third row legroom and 7 inches more third row shoulder room than the X7.

The front step up height for the Atlas is 2 inches lower than the X7 (18” vs. 20”). The Atlas’ rear step up height is 2.5 inches lower than the X7’s (18” vs. 20.5”).

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

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 X7’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the X7’s in every dimension:

The Atlas’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X7’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.

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 X7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Atlas 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 X7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Atlas is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the BMW X7 by over three to one during the 2022 model year.