Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Macan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Porsche Macan 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 Macan. But it costs extra on the Atlas Cross Sport.

Both the Macan 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

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

The battery on the Macan is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Macan’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Atlas Cross Sport’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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 Macan’s reliability 35 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 Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 106 more horsepower (375 vs. 269) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 165 more horsepower (434 vs. 269) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 273) than the Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the Macan’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 Macan has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Atlas Cross Sport (19.8 vs. 18.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Porsche Macan higher (5 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport (3). This means the Macan produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas Cross Sport every 15,000 miles.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Macan’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 Macan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Atlas Cross Sport:

For better traction and acceleration, the Macan has larger standard rear tires than the Atlas Cross Sport (255/50R19 vs. 245/60R18). The Macan’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Atlas Cross Sport (295/35R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The Macan’s standard 235/55R19 front and 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series front and 50 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Atlas Cross Sport SE’s standard 60 series tires. The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 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 Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport SE.

The Macan 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 Macan offers an optional 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 Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Atlas Cross Sport doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the Macan’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (39.2 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas Cross Sport (7.9 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 2.6 inches higher than on the Atlas Cross Sport (8.9 vs. 6.3 inches).

The Macan is 9.4 inches shorter than the Atlas Cross Sport 4Motion, making the Macan easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Macan 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 Macan’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Atlas Cross Sport’s (4409 vs. 2000 pounds).

The Macan has a higher standard payload capacity than the Atlas Cross Sport (1288 vs. 1091 lbs.).

The Macan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Atlas Cross Sport (1383 vs. 1091 lbs.).

The engine in the Macan 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 Macan offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan’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 Macan’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.

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

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 6 more times in the last 8 years. The Atlas Cross Sport has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.