Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 Acura RDX

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 RDX 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas Cross Sport offers optional Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The RDX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the RDX 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, 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.

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 Acura RDX:

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 Acura RDX:

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

The Atlas Cross Sport’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the RDX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Acura 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 RDX’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 27 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Acura.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 4 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 4 more horsepower (276 vs. 272) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the RDX (18.6 vs. 17.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RDX are solid, not vented.

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the RDX:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the RDX (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RDX (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the RDX (117.3 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the RDX.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 8.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RDX (112.1 vs. 104).

The Atlas Cross Sport has .1 inches more front legroom, 3.2 inches more front hip room, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear legroom, 8.1 inches more rear hip room and 4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Atlas Cross Sport’s rear seats recline. The RDX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume than the RDX with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 31.1 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RDX’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Acura RDX is only 1500 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much higher standard payload capacity than the RDX (1091 vs. 838 lbs.).

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

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas Cross Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 RDX doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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 RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Acura RDX by almost three to one during the 2022 model year.