Compare the2022 BMW X7VS 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The X7’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Atlas doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the middle seat shoulder belts of the BMW X7 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 Volkswagen Atlas doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

The BMW X7 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the X7. But it costs extra on the Atlas.

The X7’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Atlas.

The X7’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the X7 and the Atlas have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available around view monitors.

The BMW X7 weighs 785 to 1612 pounds more than the Volkswagen Atlas. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The X7’s corrosion warranty is 5 years and unlimited miles longer than the Atlas’ (12/unlimited vs. 7/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X7 for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the Atlas (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

Reliability

The battery on the X7 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the X7’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Atlas’ battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 X7’s reliability 27 points higher than the Atlas.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X7 first among large premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Atlas isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 20th in initial quality. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 55 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 12 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The X7 has more powerful engines than the Atlas:

	Horsepower	Torque
X7 xDrive40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	335 HP	331 lbs.-ft.
X7 M50i 4.4 turbo V8	523 HP	553 lbs.-ft.
Alpina XB7 4.4 turbo V8	612 HP	590 lbs.-ft.
Atlas 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	235 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
Atlas 3.6 DOHC V6	276 HP	266 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the X7 xDrive40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas V6:

	X7	Atlas
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96.8 MPH	81.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X7 gets better mileage than the Atlas:

			MPG
X7
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/24 hwy
Atlas
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/24 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/23 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X7’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Atlas doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X7 has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Atlas (21.9 vs. 18.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The X7’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Atlas doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X7’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Atlas:

	X7 xDrive40i	X7 M Sport	Atlas
Front Rotors	13.7 inches	15.6 inches	13.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	14.6 inches	12.2 inches

The X7 stops much shorter than the Atlas:

	X7	Atlas
70 to 0 MPH	169 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	139 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X7 has larger standard tires than the Atlas (F:275/40R22 & R:315/35R22 vs. 245/60R18). The Alpina XB7’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Atlas (F:285/35R23 & R:325/30R23 vs. 265/45R21).

The X7’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Atlas’ standard 60 series tires. The Alpina XB7’s optional 285/35R23 front and 325/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Atlas SEL Premium’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Atlas. The Alpina XB7’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Atlas SEL Premium.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Atlas doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X7 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the X7 flat and controlled during cornering. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The X7 Alpina has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Atlas doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the X7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Atlas, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Alpina XB7 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Volkswagen doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Atlas.

The X7 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X7 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The X7’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Atlas doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X7’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the Atlas (122.2 inches vs. 117.3 inches).

The X7’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.4% to 50.6%) than the Atlas’ (55.1% to 44.9%). This gives the X7 more stable handling and braking.

The X7 xDrive40i handles at .86 G’s, while the Atlas SEL 4Motion pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X7 xDrive40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Atlas SEL 4Motion (26.3 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X7 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (8.7 vs. 8 inches), allowing the X7 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the X7 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Atlas doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the X7’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Atlas doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The X7’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Atlas’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

Payload and Towing

The X7’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Atlas’ (5950 vs. 2000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Volkswagen Atlas is only 5000 pounds. The X7 offers up to a 7500 lbs. towing capacity.

The X7 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Atlas (1254 vs. 1213 lbs.).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the X7 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Atlas. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 43% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Atlas SEL/SEL Premium/R-Line, the X7 offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X7’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The X7 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Atlas doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the X7 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Atlas can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The X7’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Atlas has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The X7 has standard heated front and optional heated second and third row seats, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Volkswagen doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the Atlas.

The X7 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 Atlas SEL/SEL Premium.

The X7 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Atlas.

The X7’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Atlas SEL Premium’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.