Compare the2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2024 BMW X4

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 X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Atlas Cross Sport are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The X4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and X4 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Atlas Cross Sport has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The X4’s Cross Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the X4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The X4 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

There are over 85 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 engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the X4’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 21 more horsepower (269 vs. 248) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the X4 xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X4 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X4 (18.6 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X4:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X4 (265/45R21 vs. 245/45R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the X4 (117.3 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X4.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 14.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X4 (111.9 vs. 97.8).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1 inch more front legroom, 4 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom and 4.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the X4.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X4 with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X4 with its rear seat folded (77.6 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

Standard trailer stability control on the Atlas Cross Sport uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X4 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a higher standard payload capacity than the X4 (1091 vs. 957 lbs.).

The Atlas Cross Sport has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X4 (1091 vs. 1010 lbs.).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard KESSY Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Go standard on the X4 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

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 X4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Atlas Cross Sport has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Atlas Cross Sport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the X4.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X4.

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 X4 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 X4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Atlas Cross Sport owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Atlas Cross Sport will cost $2125 to $4190 less than the X4 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport will be $14345 to $20578 less than for the BMW X4.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the BMW X4 by over 10 to one during 2023.