Are you looking for a midsize 2-row SUV with a little style to complement your much-needed everyday practicality? The two SUVs we’re about to compare, the 2024 Toyota Venza and VW Atlas Cross Sport, could perfectly match your driving needs and budget.
They have similar starting prices, along with exteriors that give them visual gravitas that’s lacking in some of their more conservatively garbed competition. We like the Venza’s fluid and shapely design that imparts an upscale look to this hybrid-powered SUV.
The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses the standard 3-row Atlas as its foundation but jettisons the third row and adopts a sloping rear roofline. It’s a more chiseled shape than the Venza, though it’s no less attractive.
Let’s explore the highlights of the Toyota Venza and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport to discover what’s beneath their sheet metal.
2024 Toyota Venza
The 2024 Toyota Venza starts at $36,465, including factory-to-dealer delivery fees. There are four trims — LE, XLE, Nightshade Edition, and Limited — and all are equipped with a 219-horsepower gas-electric hybrid 4-cylinder and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All-wheel drive is standard. Note this appears the final year for the Venza before it’s replaced by a new model.
For a mainstream SUV, the Toyota Venza is endowed with many convenience items people love in a new vehicle. This includes an easy-to-use infotainment screen operated by either an 8-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, keyless entry, and wireless device charging.
Toyota Venza Highlights
Class-leading fuel economy: Even considering it’s a hybrid, the Toyota Venza posts spectacular mileage numbers. An EPA-estimated 40 mpg in city driving and 37 mpg on the highway results in a combined average of 39 mpg, far beyond the economy you get in other midsize 5-passenger SUVs.
Luxurious cabin: The interior of the Venza is easily equal to many vehicles from Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus. The materials are of a high quality and the overall quality implies this SUV is going to hold up after many years of use.
Cord-free driving: The Toyota Venza allows you to enjoy life cord-free. As we pointed out, standard fare includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless device charging.
Nightshade Edition: In keeping with its fashion-forward angle, the Nightshade Edition comes with 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, a black front grille and side mirrors, and (you guessed it) black roof rails. Optional is the Star Gaze roof. This panoramic roof goes from clear to opaque with the push of a button. Yeah, it’s really cool.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Venza models near you.
2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
The 2024 model year ushers in a mid-cycle refresh of the Atlas Cross Sport. The front grille is updated, the infotainment system has been rebooted, and many new standard features have been added.
The 269-horsepower turbo 4-cylinder replaces the outgoing model’s base 4-cylinder and optional V6. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional. You can’t get one as a hybrid, so it’s less efficient than the Toyota Venza.
Pricing starts at $38,410, and standard features include a 12-inch touchscreen, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless smartphone connectivity, Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and voice commands.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport Highlights
Turbo 4-cylinder: The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s 269-hp turbo 4-cylinder engine is an excellent replacement for the two previous powertrain choices. It has nearly the same horsepower as the prior V6 yet returns significantly better economy.
Added standard features: This mid-cycle update means the entry-level Atlas Cross Sport includes heated and ventilated front seats, wireless device charging, a digital gauge cluster, and 3-zone climate control.
Cargo space: You might think the Atlas Cross Sport’s tapered tail means sacrificing a roomy cargo area. That’s not the case. This VW’s rear hatch measures a substantial 40.3 cubic feet. That’s good for a midsize SUV and better than the Toyota Venza’s more confined cargo bay.
Digital gauge cluster: Another 2024 model-year addition is a customizable 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster called Digital Cockpit Pro. First seen in high-end luxury cars from Audi, this sleek system is now standard in the Atlas Cross Sport.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Atlas Cross Sport models near you.
Similarities
The Toyota Venza and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport blur the line between a mainstream and luxury SUV. They certainly have the design and interior quality to pass for luxury-branded SUVs. And they each have an ace up their sleeve. With the Venza it’s outstanding fuel economy, whereas the Atlas Cross Sport boasts a cavernous cargo hold.
Conclusion
On paper (or screen) and from behind the wheel, the Toyota Venza and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport are extremely evenly matched. They’re comfortable and well-equipped even in their base trim levels. The Venza is the economy champ here, and we highly approve of its Lexus-lite interior.
To the credit of the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, it has better cargo-hauling capability, and its new turbo 4-cylinder is powerful and efficient. For us, what finally tips the scales in favor of the Venza is Toyota’s stronger record of reliability.
| 2024 Toyota Venza | 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport | |
| Starting Price | $36,465 | $38,410 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter gas-electric 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 219 hp @ 5,700 rpm | 269 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm | 273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy | 40 city/37 highway/39 combined | 20 city/27 highway/23 combined |
| Also Available | AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 star | 5 star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 inches | 117.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 186.6 inches | 200.7 inches |
| Width | 73.0 inches | 78.3inches |
| Height | 65.9 inches | 70.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.1 feet | 40.5 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.6 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 39.0 inches | 40.4 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 40.9 inches | 41.7 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 37.8 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.4 inches | 61.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.9 inches | 60.8 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 28.8 cubic feet | 40.3 cubic feet |
