Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2023 Hyundai Tucson

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Atlas Cross Sport has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Tucson 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.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport weighs 432 to 1118 pounds more than the Hyundai Tucson. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Reliability

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

Engine

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (235 vs. 187) and 80 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 178) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 89 more horsepower (276 vs. 187) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 178) than the Tucson’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

	Atlas Cross Sport turbo 4 cyl.	Atlas Cross Sport V6	Tucson
Zero to 60 MPH	8.1 sec	7.9 sec	9.3 sec
Quarter Mile	16.3 sec	16 sec	17 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	84.5 MPH	87.4 MPH	83.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Atlas Cross Sport has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tucson (18.6 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Atlas Cross Sport	Tucson
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	12 inches

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Tucson are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the Tucson (245/60R18 vs. 235/65R17). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tucson (265/45R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The Atlas Cross Sport SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson’s standard 65 series tires. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Tucson’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas Cross Sport SE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Tucson. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Tucson.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Tucson; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Atlas Cross Sport has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tucson doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the Tucson (117.3 inches vs. 108.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Tucson.

Passenger Space

The Atlas Cross Sport has 3.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Tucson (112.1 vs. 108.2).

The Atlas Cross Sport has .3 inches more front legroom, 3.7 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, 4.1 inches more rear hip room and 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Tucson.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume than the Tucson with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 38.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Atlas Cross Sport. The Tucson doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Hyundai Tucson is limited to 2000 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Atlas Cross Sport uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Tucson uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The Atlas Cross Sport’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Tucson SEL/XRT/N Line/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Atlas Cross Sport 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 Tucson can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Tucson’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Tucson doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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

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

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Tucson SEL/XRT/N Line/Limited.

When the Atlas Cross Sport SEL is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Tucson’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Atlas Cross Sport has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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 Tucson doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

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