Compare the2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2024 Mercedes GLC Coupe

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 GLC Coupe 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.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the GLC Coupe have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 and around view monitors.

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

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas Cross Sport for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the GLC Coupe.

There are over 68 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Mercedes 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 GLC Coupe’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volkswagen 2 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (269 vs. 255) than the GLC Coupe’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GLC Coupe requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLC Coupe (18.6 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the GLC Coupe (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GLC Coupe (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 GLC Coupe’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 3.6 inches longer than on the GLC Coupe (117.3 inches vs. 113.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the GLC Coupe.

For greater off-road capability the Atlas Cross Sport has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GLC Coupe (6.3 vs. 5.1 inches), allowing the Atlas Cross Sport to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Atlas Cross Sport has .5 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLC Coupe.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GLC Coupe with its rear seat folded (77.6 vs. 52.6 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GLC Coupe’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

trailer stability control is standard on the Atlas Cross Sport, using 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. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLC Coupe.

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

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 GLC Coupe.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R Line has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the GLC Coupe.

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 GLC Coupe 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 GLC Coupe doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Mercedes GLC by over two to one during 2023.