Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 BMW X4

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 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 X4 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the X4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

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 Cross Sport’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the X4’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 28 more horsepower (276 vs. 248) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the X4 xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The X4 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X4 (18.6 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X4:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X4 (265/45R21 vs. 245/44R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the X4 (117.3 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.5 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X4.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 14.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X4 (112.1 vs. 97.8).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1 inch more front legroom, 4 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom and 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the X4.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X4 with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 18.5 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X4 with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 50.5 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport has a higher standard payload capacity than the X4 (1091 vs. 937 lbs.).

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 X4 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Atlas Cross Sport has a standard rear wiper. The X4 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Atlas Cross Sport to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The X4 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 X4 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 X4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the BMW X4 by almost 9 to one during the 2022 model year.