What do you need most from a midsize SUV? Perhaps cargo capacity is a prime consideration, or you have an inherent need for power. The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Ford Edge are unique takes on the family-friendly, midsize 2-row SUV.
With the Atlas Cross Sport, you get a long list of comfort features, tons of cargo space, and a dash more style than the standard 3-row Atlas on which its based. The Edge stands out thanks to its sharp handling and racy ST trim. This degree of driving fun isn’t something many SUV shoppers expect — though maybe they should.
Like its VW rival, the Edge has more than enough headroom and legroom for adults seated in the first or second row. Both also have roomy cargo holds. Join us to discover more highlights of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Ford Edge.
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport benefits from a mid-cycle update for the 2024 model year. This consists of a redesigned front grille, taillights that span the width of the rear, and a new turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Pricing starts at $38,410, including delivery charges, and there are five trims: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, and SEL Premium R-Line.
Volkswagen also focused on adding more standard features, including items to tickle your fingertips or heat and cool your backside. Keep reading; this will make sense in a moment.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Highlights
Standard comfort touches: We’re happy bunnies when a car company decides to ramp up the amount of standard features. With this year’s update, every Atlas Cross Sport now comes with a 12-inch infotainment system, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Digital Cockpit Pro gauge cluster, 3-zone climate control, and wireless phone charging. Thanks, VW.
New turbo 4-cylinder: Out goes the previous turbo 4-cylinder and optional V6, and in comes a new 269-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder. It’s nearly as powerful as the V6 and returns a respectable EPA-rated 23 mpg combined in city and highway driving. Front-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional.
IQ.Drive: It’s smart to be safe when behind the wheel. VW’s engineering team has been thinking along these same lines because the IQ.Drive suite of driver aids now comes on every Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. A few notable features include automatic emergency braking, lane-centering, blind-spot monitoring, rear-seat reminder, adaptive headlights, and rear cross-traffic warning.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Atlas models near you.
2024 Ford Edge
The 2024 Edge starts at $39,960 and comes in five trims: SE, SEL, ST-Line, Titanium, and ST. All except the ST model are fitted with a 250-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder, an 8-speed automatic, and AWD. What makes the ST trim so special? Keep reading to find out. Note that this year appears to be the curtain call for the Ford Edge.
Ford Edge Highlights
Sporty ST model: The Edge ST comes with a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 in place of the base turbo 4-cylinder. This means you have 335 horsepower at your disposal, and accelerating from zero to 60 mph takes about 6 seconds flat. Other ST performance upgrades include a firmer sport suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, and even quicker steering reflexes. You can’t get a Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport with this kind of performance.
Luxurious Titanium trim: For Edge shoppers who don’t need to win every stoplight grand prix, let us suggest the Edge Titanium. As the top-of-the-line model, it coddles with diamond-pattern synthetic leather upholstery, a hands-free tailgate, a heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting, and an outstanding 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system.
User-friendly infotainment system: A large and easy-to-reach 12-inch infotainment touchscreen comes with desirable features like wireless smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The menus are clear and not distracting when scrolling through commands while driving.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Edge models near you.
Similarities
We think either of these SUVs would make a convenient and capable driving companion. They can be decked out with luxurious add-ons or kept simpler if you want to keep the price reasonable. Even in base format, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and Ford Edge don’t look or feel lacking in comfort and safety touches.
Conclusion
Thanks to its 2024 model year update, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport strikes us as the much fresher of these two SUVs. As fun as the Ford Edge is to drive, there’s no hiding the fact this generation hails all the way back to the 2015 model year. In the SUV world, that’s bordering on Jurassic.
| 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | 2024 Ford Edge | |
| Starting Price | $38,410 | $39,960 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 269 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm | 258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | 20 city/27 highway/23 combined | 21 city/28 highway/23 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD; Twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5-Stars | 5-Stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 117.3 inches | 112.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 195.5 inches | 188.8 inches |
| Width | 78.3 inches | 75.9 inches |
| Height | 67.8 inches | 68.3 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 40.5 feet | 39.3 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.8 inches | 40.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 42.6 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 40.4 inches | 40.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 61.5 inches | 60.3 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 60.6 inches | 60.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 40.3 cubic feet | 39.2 cubic feet |
