2026 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was designed to project a sportier image within the Range Rover family. Its tall stance was complemented by a shorter wheelbase and a chopped top, giving it an athletic appearance. Large front air intakes and faux vents on the hood and fenders added to its sporty look, although from certain angles, it appeared a bit too tall and narrow, lacking the wide, planted look of some luxury SUVs. The lineup included SE, Dynamic SE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with the Dynamic SE offering a Stealth appearance package. The SV Edition 2, the highest-performance model, featured 23-inch carbon-fiber wheels and a carbon-fiber hood. Inside, the SV Edition 2 boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up inserts, and illuminated paddle shifters, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic with a touchscreen, shifter, and start button on the dashboard.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas, particularly in the SEL Premium R-Line trim, presented itself as a near-luxury crossover. Starting with the base SE trim, the Atlas featured full-LED lighting, power-adjustable heated side mirrors, and a sculpted silhouette. The SE with Technology added an illuminated logo, light bar, and 20-inch alloys, while the Peak Edition introduced rugged bumpers and blackout trim. The SEL Premium R-Line upgraded to power-folding side mirrors with puddle lights and 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels. Our test vehicle, in Pure Gray paint, maintained a clean look even after extensive winter driving. Inside, the Titan Black upholstery with silver underlay provided a sophisticated ambiance. The Atlas appeared more expensive than its price suggested, with quilted diamond-pattern leather seats, metallic accents, and artificial wood trim creating a warm environment. However, the MIB3 infotainment system was frustrating to use, with touch-sensitive controls that were invisible at night.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine producing 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, along with a plug-in hybrid powertrain rated at 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim could be equipped with a plug-in hybrid producing 543 hp and 590 lb-ft or a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two used the same V8, but with 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and had a top speed of 180 mph. The Range Rover Sport excelled in both on-road performance and off-road capability, with features like Terrain Response, hill descent control, and a two-speed transfer case.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas retained the same engine as previous models, a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder producing 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on lower trims and all-wheel drive available on all trims. The engine, known for its refinement and efficiency, provided a wide powerband, making the Atlas feel capable once underway. However, initial acceleration was not particularly quick, with a zero-to-60 mph time of 8.3 seconds. The Atlas offered a smooth highway ride, with a Drive Mode Select system providing various driving options. Fuel economy was recorded at 22 miles per gallon during testing. The 4Motion AWD system performed well in rain and light snow, but the Atlas was not intended for serious off-roading. The maximum towing capacity was 5,000 pounds, slightly behind some competitors. Ride quality was a concern, especially with the SEL Premium R-Line's 21-inch wheels, which transmitted vibrations on rough surfaces.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and the full-size Range Rover, offered a midsize two-row, five-seater configuration. Front-seat occupants found adequate headroom, although the Acura MDX and Audi Q7 offered more legroom. The sloping roof did not significantly impact rear-seat headroom, and reclining rear seats were standard. Cargo space measured 31.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Sport's towing capacity was 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 6,614 pounds.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in accommodating passengers and cargo. The SEL Premium R-Line's front seats were heated, ventilated, and equipped with massage functions. The second row featured captain's chairs that folded flat and tipped forward for easy third-row access. The third row provided decent leg support, and with the second row slid forward, taller passengers could ride comfortably. Cargo capacity was a strong point, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 96.6 cubic feet. The Atlas offered competitive space across all three rows, making it an excellent choice for hauling people and belongings.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The minimalist design had functional drawbacks, with most controls requiring touchscreen interaction. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, and the gauge cluster offered various configurations. The SV Edition 2 included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas came with a 12-inch touchscreen running the MIB3 operating system, a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless charging. The SEL Premium R-Line added a Harman Kardon audio system, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the MIB3 system was frustrating to use, with touch-sensitive controls that were invisible at night. The voice control system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto the preferred options.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, although parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS for 2025. The IQ.Drive suite of driver assistance features was standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and Travel Assist. The systems performed reliably during testing, and the SEL Premium R-Line added Park Assist.