Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 BMW X6

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 X6 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the X6 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.

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 X6’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Atlas Cross Sport’s reliability 11 points higher than the X6.

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas Cross Sport gets better mileage than the X6:

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 X6 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better maneuverability, the Atlas Cross Sport’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the X6’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 650 to 750 pounds less than the BMW X6.

The Atlas Cross Sport has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the X6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Atlas Cross Sport’s rear seats recline. The X6’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X6 with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 27.4 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X6 with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 59.6 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport has a higher standard payload capacity than the X6 (1091 vs. 994 lbs.).

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Atlas Cross Sport has a standard rear wiper. The X6 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 X6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Atlas Cross Sport is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the BMW X6 by over seven to one during the 2022 model year.