Compare the2026 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2026 BMW X3

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 BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the X3 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, 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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the BMW X3:

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

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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the BMW X3:

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

There are over 80 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas Cross Sport’s warranty.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 14 more horsepower (269 vs. 255) than the X3 30 xDrive’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline. The X3 M50 xDrive requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (18.6 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the X3:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (265/45R21 vs. 255/40R21).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 4.5 inches longer than on the X3 (117.3 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 10.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the X3 (111.9 vs. 101.4).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 1.5 inches more front legroom, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 4.1 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room and 4.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X3 with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 31.5 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X3 with its rear seat folded (77.6 vs. 67.1 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3’s (5000 vs. 4001 pounds).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas Cross Sport’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the X3’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Atlas Cross Sport has standard extendable sun visors. The X3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Atlas Cross Sport 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 X3.

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 X3.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a 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. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the X3.

The Atlas Cross Sport 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 X3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Atlas Cross Sport is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.