Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 BMW X5

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Atlas 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 X5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Atlas and the X5 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the BMW X5:

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the BMW X5:

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

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’ warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the X5’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the X5:

Both the Atlas and the X5 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Atlas’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. A disable switch for start/stop is only offered on the X5 M50i.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The X5 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas stops shorter than the X5:

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The X5 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the X5 xDrive40i pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Atlas’ turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the X5’s (40.5 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 650 pounds less than the BMW X5.

The design of the Volkswagen Atlas amounts to more than styling. The Atlas has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .34 Cd. That is lower than the X5 (.36 to .38). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Atlas get better fuel mileage.

The Atlas has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the X5.

The front step up height for the Atlas is 1.5 inches lower than the X5 (18” vs. 19.5”). The Atlas’ rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the X5’s (18” vs. 20”).

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the X5.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the X5’s liftover is 30.8 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the X5’s in every dimension:

The Atlas’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X5’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Atlas has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X5 (1113 vs. 827 lbs.).

The Atlas has a higher maximum payload capacity than the X5 (1113 vs. 1030 lbs.).

The Atlas 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 X5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Atlas is less expensive to operate than the X5 because typical repairs cost much less on the Atlas than the X5, including $1214 less for a muffler, $89 less for front brake pads, $18 less for fuel injection, $172 less for a fuel pump, $89 less for front struts, $437 less for a timing belt/chain and $954 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas and the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the BMW X5 by over two to one during the 2021 model year.