Compare the2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2024 Infiniti QX55

The Atlas Cross Sport 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 QX55 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Atlas Cross Sport 4Motion’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The QX55 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and QX55 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 QX55’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the QX55 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive 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 Infiniti QX55:

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the QX55:

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 QX55 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

There are over 3 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Infiniti 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 QX55’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 Infiniti With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Infiniti.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Atlas Cross Sport’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The QX55 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The QX55 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX55 (18.6 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX55:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX55 (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 QX55’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the QX55; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the QX55 (117.3 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3.8 inches wider in the rear than on the QX55.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the QX55’s (57.7% to 42.3%). This gives the Atlas Cross Sport more stable handling and braking.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 11.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX55 (111.9 vs. 100.2).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 2.1 inches more front legroom, 2.8 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 4.9 inches more rear hip room and 3.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the QX55.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the QX55 with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 26.9 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the QX55 with its rear seat folded (77.6 vs. 54.1 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The QX55 has no towing capacity.

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 QX55 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The power windows standard on both the Atlas Cross Sport and the QX55 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Atlas Cross Sport is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX55 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

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. Infiniti Intelligent Key standard on the QX55 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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 QX55’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 QX55 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Atlas Cross Sport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The QX55 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 is only available on the QX55 Essential/Sensory.

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 QX55 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 QX55 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Atlas Cross Sport is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The QX55 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 $450 to $3670 less than the QX55 over a five-year period.

The Atlas Cross Sport will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Atlas Cross Sport will retain 50.68% to 52.68% of its original price after five years, while the QX55 only retains 46.84% to 46.91%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport will be $7887 to $16070 less than for the Infiniti QX55.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Infiniti QX55 by almost 18 to one during 2023.