Compare the2024 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2024 Lexus TX

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Atlas has standard Rear Traffic Alert with automatic braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the TX Premium/Luxury offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the Atlas and the TX 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the TX:

The Volkswagen Atlas achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The TX is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the TX’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the TX (2/20,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 3 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas’ warranty.

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

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas is faster than the TX 350 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline. The TX requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the TX 550h+’s standard fuel tank (18.6 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Atlas stops shorter than the TX:

For better traction, the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the TX (265/45R21 vs. 255/55R20).

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 TX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the TX (117.3 inches vs. 116.1 inches).

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the TX 350 Luxury 4dr Sport Utility pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the TX 350 Luxury 4dr Sport Utility (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The design of the Volkswagen Atlas amounts to more than styling. The Atlas has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the TX (.34 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Atlas get better fuel mileage.

The Atlas has .1 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.8 inches more rear hip room, 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.1 inches more third row headroom and .2 inches more third row legroom than the TX.

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

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 TX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The TX Luxury/F Sport’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Atlas’ standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Atlas has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the TX.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Lexus TX by almost 12 to one during 2023.