Compare the2025 Genesis GV80VS 2024 Volkswagen Atlas

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Genesis GV80 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 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The GV80’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Atlas doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the GV80 and Atlas have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The GV80 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Atlas’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Genesis GV80 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The GV80 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Atlas doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the GV80. But it costs extra on the Atlas.

The GV80’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GV80 and the Atlas 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	GV80	Atlas
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.1%	30%
Neck Stress	157 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	59 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	263	277
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	34%	39%
Neck Compression	65 lbs.	117 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the GV80 is much safer than the Atlas:

	GV80	Atlas
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Genesis GV80 is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	GV80	Atlas
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	29	57
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.5 inches
Hip Force	293 lbs.	345 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	70	144
Spine Acceleration	26 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	458 lbs.	527 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	51 G’s
Hip Force	640 lbs.	800 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Genesis GV80 (built after August 2023) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Atlas is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The GV80 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Atlas’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Genesis’ powertrain warranty covers the GV80 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The GV80’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Atlas runs out after 100,000 miles.

Genesis pays for scheduled maintenance on the GV80 for 1 year and 16000 miles longer than Volkswagen pays for maintenance for the Atlas (3/36,000 vs. 2/20,000).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the GV80 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Atlas isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Genesis above average in initial quality. With 57 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen With 67 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Genesis higher than Volkswagen.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Genesis vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Genesis 9 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

Engine

The GV80 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 31 more horsepower (300 vs. 269) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GV80 3.5T’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 106 more horsepower (375 vs. 269) and 118 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Genesis GV80 is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	Atlas
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	5.3 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	13.9 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96 MPH	101 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GV80 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the Atlas Peak Edition 4Motion (19 city/24 hwy vs. 18 city/24 hwy).

The GV80 has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Atlas (21.1 vs. 18.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Genesis GV80 higher (5 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas (3). This means the GV80 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GV80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Atlas:

	GV80 2.5T	GV80 3.5T	Atlas
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	14.9 inches	13.2 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	14.2 inches	12.2 inches

The GV80 stops much shorter than the Atlas:

	GV80	Atlas
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	174 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	139 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GV80 has larger tires than the Atlas (265/40R22 vs. 245/60R18).

The GV80’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Atlas SE/Peak Edition’s standard 60 series tires. The GV80’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GV80 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Atlas SE/Peak Edition. The GV80’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line.

Suspension and Handling

The GV80 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The GV80 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’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GV80 offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Atlas doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GV80’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the Atlas’ (55% to 45%). This gives the GV80 more stable handling and braking.

The GV80 Prestige handles at .86 G’s, while the Atlas 4Motion pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GV80 Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Atlas SEL 4Motion (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the GV80’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Atlas’ (39.3 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GV80 has a 1.8 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (8.1 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the GV80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The GV80 is 6 inches shorter than the Atlas, making the GV80 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the GV80 3.5T has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Atlas uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The front grille of the GV80 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 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The GV80 Prestige uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Atlas doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GV80’s middle and third row seats recline. The Atlas’ third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

Pressing a button automatically lowers the GV80’s second row seats and pressing a button automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Atlas doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The GV80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Atlas’ (6000 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GV80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Atlas. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The GV80’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 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GV80 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The GV80’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 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The GV80 Prestige/3.5T has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Atlas.

Both the Genesis GV80 and the Volkswagen Atlas have a standard Qi wireless phone charging system in the front seat. To easily keep personal devices charged in the second row seat, without cables tangling and wearing out, the GV80 also offers an optional wireless charging system.

The GV80 Advanced/Prestige’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Atlas 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.

Recommendations

The GV80 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2021. The Atlas has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.