Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Genesis GV80

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The Atlas 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 GV80 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.

Compared to metal, the Atlas’ plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Genesis GV80 has a metal gas tank.

Both the Atlas and the GV80 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, 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 Genesis GV80:

	Atlas	GV80
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	307	328
Leg Forces (l/r)	67/229 lbs.	254/334 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Stress	129 lbs.	228 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	297/97 lbs.	388/497 lbs.

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 Genesis GV80:

	Atlas	GV80
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
Abdominal Force	48 lbs.	101 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches
HIC	279	290

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Atlas is .4% to 3.3% less likely to roll over than the GV80.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 122 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GV80 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

Warranty

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Genesis dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas’ warranty.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the GV80’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

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 Atlas’ reliability 36 points higher than the GV80.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the GV80:

			MPG
Atlas
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/25 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/24 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/24 hwy
GV80
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6	18 city/23 hwy

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 GV80 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Suspension and Handling

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 GV80 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the GV80.

The Atlas SEL R-Line Black 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the GV80 ADVANCED pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 500 pounds less than the Genesis GV80.

Passenger Space

The Atlas has 13.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GV80 (153.7 vs. 140).

The Atlas has 1.1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 4 inches more third row headroom, 3.4 inches more third row legroom and 1.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the GV80.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the GV80.

	Atlas	GV80
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	11.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	55.5 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	34.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	96.8 cubic feet	84 cubic feet

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 GV80’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the GV80’s in every dimension:

	Atlas	GV80
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	23.8”/53”/85”	15.9”/44.7”/79”
Max Width	61.6”	53”
Min Width	45”	41.7”
Height	37.5”	31.1”

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the GV80 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The GV80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the GV80’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Atlas offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The GV80 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas SEL also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Model Availability

The Atlas is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GV80 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Genesis GV80 isn't recommended.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Genesis GV80 by over seven to one during the 2021 model year.