Compare the2025 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2024 INEOS Grenadier

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/21

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The INEOS Grenadier doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Atlas Cross Sport are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas Cross Sport offers optional Maneuver Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The Grenadier doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line has a standard Area View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Grenadier only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Atlas Cross Sport’s standard Rear Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and automatically engage the brakes. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Atlas Cross Sport uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Grenadier uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the Grenadier have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 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 Grenadier has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas Cross Sport for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. INEOS doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Grenadier.

There are over 32 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are INEOS dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas Cross Sport’s warranty.

Reliability

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

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is faster than the INEOS Grenadier:

	Atlas Cross Sport	Grenadier
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	8.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	16.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	80.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas Cross Sport gets better mileage than the Grenadier:

			MPG
Atlas Cross Sport
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/26 hwy
Grenadier
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	15 city/15 hwy
		Trailmaster 3.0 turbo 6-cyl.	14 city/14 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Grenadier requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a tether attaching its gas cap to prevent its loss. The Grenadier’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Atlas Cross Sport	Grenadier
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	12.4 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 Grenadier are solid, not vented.

The Atlas Cross Sport stops much shorter than the Grenadier:

	Atlas Cross Sport	Grenadier
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	152 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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 Grenadier’s standard 70 series tires. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Grenadier’s 70 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 Grenadier. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s 21-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Grenadier.

Suspension and Handling

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s independent front suspension is much lighter than the INEOS Grenadier’s solid front axle, which allows the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheels to react more quickly and accurately to the road’s surface, improving both ride and handling.

For superior ride and handling, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The INEOS Grenadier has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For much better steering response and tighter handling the Atlas Cross Sport has rack and pinion steering, like Formula racecars, instead of the recirculating-ball type steering of the Grenadier.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the Grenadier (117.3 inches vs. 115 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than on the Grenadier.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL 4Motion handles at .81 G’s, while the Grenadier Trailmaster pulls only .60 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 4.1 seconds quicker than the Grenadier Trailmaster (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 31.5 seconds @ .49 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Atlas Cross Sport’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the Grenadier’s (40 feet vs. 44.4 feet).

Chassis

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1500 to 1650 pounds less than the INEOS Grenadier.

The Atlas Cross Sport is 12.6 inches shorter in height than the Grenadier, making the Atlas Cross Sport much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the Atlas Cross Sport’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Grenadier doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Atlas Cross Sport has standard flush composite headlights. The Grenadier has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Passenger Space

The Atlas Cross Sport has 2.4 inches more front legroom and 10 inches more rear legroom than the Grenadier.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Atlas Cross Sport’s rear seats recline. The Grenadier’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas Cross Sport has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Grenadier with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 40 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Grenadier with its rear seat folded (77.6 vs. 71 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The Grenadier’s two swing out doors impair rear visibility, need a lot of clearance, and can block loading in tight quarters.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Atlas Cross Sport’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

Servicing Ease

The Atlas Cross Sport uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Grenadier 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.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Atlas Cross Sport to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and vehicle inspections based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. INEOS doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Grenadier.

Ergonomics

The Atlas Cross Sport offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The engine computer on the Atlas Cross Sport automatically engages the starter until the car starts with one twist of the key and disables the starter while the engine is running. The Grenadier’s starter can be accidentally engaged while the engine is running, making a grinding noise and possibly damaging the starter and ring gear.

When three different drivers share the Atlas Cross Sport SEL, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Grenadier has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children in the rear seat from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower all of them with the lock engaged. INEOS does not offer a locking feature on the Grenadier’s standard power windows.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Grenadier’s power windows’ switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

KESSY Keyless Access standard on the Atlas Cross Sport allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The INEOS Grenadier doesn’t offer an advanced key system.

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 Grenadier’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the Atlas Cross Sport detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Grenadier doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 Grenadier doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Atlas Cross Sport 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 Grenadier doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 Grenadier’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Grenadier doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

Both the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and INEOS Grenadier offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Atlas Cross Sport offers available power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Grenadier’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Atlas Cross Sport has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Grenadier. The Atlas Cross Sport SEL also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Grenadier.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Atlas Cross Sport keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Grenadier doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Atlas Cross Sport’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R Line has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Grenadier.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Grenadier doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Atlas Cross Sport has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Grenadier doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Compared to the INEOS Grenadier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the overhead console.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The Grenadier doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Grenadier doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Atlas Cross Sport is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Grenadier doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.