Compare the2024 Porsche Cayenne CoupeVS 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe 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 Cross Sport doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne Coupe helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne Coupe and the Atlas Cross Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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

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 Cayenne Coupe’s reliability 39 points higher than the Atlas Cross Sport.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volkswagen is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 19 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 79 more horsepower (348 vs. 269) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 194 more horsepower (463 vs. 269) and 206 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne S Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 199 more horsepower (468 vs. 269) and 169 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 243 more horsepower (512 vs. 269) and 280 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 460 more horsepower (729 vs. 269) and 427 lbs.-ft. more torque (700 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard fuel tank has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Atlas Cross Sport (23.7 vs. 18.6 gallons).

The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 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 Cross Sport doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Cayenne Coupe offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Coupe Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne Coupe has larger standard tires than the Atlas Cross Sport (F:255/55R20 & R:295/45R20 vs. 245/60R18). The Cayenne Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Atlas Cross Sport (F:285/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard 255/55R20 front and 295/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 45 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Atlas Cross Sport SE’s standard 60 series tires. The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 285/40R22 front and 315/35R22 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne Coupe has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport SE. The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line.

The Cayenne Coupe has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Atlas Cross Sport’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Cayenne Coupe offers 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 Cross Sport doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne Coupe 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 Cross Sport.

The Cayenne Coupe 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 Cross Sport’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Cayenne Coupe has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne Turbo GT’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (38 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas Cross Sport (8.2 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Cayenne Coupe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe’s minimum ground clearance is 3.2 inches higher than on the Atlas Cross Sport (9.5 vs. 6.3 inches).

The front grille of the Cayenne Coupe 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 Cross Sport doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (7700 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Cayenne Coupe has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Atlas Cross Sport (1501 vs. 1091 lbs.).

The engine in the Cayenne Coupe is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Atlas Cross Sport. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 46% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Atlas Cross Sport SEL, the Cayenne Coupe offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Cayenne Coupe’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Atlas Cross Sport does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Cayenne Coupe 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 Cross Sport doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Cayenne Coupe offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne Coupe has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The Cayenne Coupe’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 Cross Sport has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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

The Cayenne Coupe’s optional Active Parking Assistance can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport isn't recommended.