Compare the2024 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2022 BMW X7

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Volkswagen Atlas 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 BMW X7 doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Atlas 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 X7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Atlas and the X7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 135 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The X7 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 81 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are BMW 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 X7’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Atlas gets better mileage than the X7:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X7 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas stops much shorter than the X7:

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 X7 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Atlas 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the X7 pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the X7 xDrive40i (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Atlas’ turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the X7’s (41 feet vs. 42.8 feet).

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1200 pounds less than the BMW X7.

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 X7 (.33 to .36) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Atlas get better fuel mileage.

The Atlas has 1.9 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.7 inches more third row headroom, .4 inches more third row legroom and 7 inches more third row shoulder room than the X7.

The front step up height for the Atlas is 2 inches lower than the X7 (18” vs. 20”). The Atlas’ rear step up height is 2.5 inches lower than the X7’s (18” vs. 20.5”).

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the X7.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the X7’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the X7’s in every dimension:

The Atlas’ liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The X7’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

The Atlas has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X7 (1091 vs. 190 lbs.).

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 X7 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The X7 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Atlas offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Atlas is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas and the BMW X7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the BMW X7 by almost three to one during 2022.