Compare the2025 Lexus TXVS 2025 Volkswagen Atlas

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Lexus TX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Volkswagen Atlas doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Lexus TX has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Atlas doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The TX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Atlas doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the TX and the Atlas have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 Lexus TX is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	TX	Atlas
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	218	307
Neck Stress	355 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	12 lbs.	59 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33%	39%
Neck Compression	60 lbs.	117 lbs.

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 Lexus TX is safer than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	TX	Atlas
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	42	57
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.5 inches
Hip Force	199 lbs.	345 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	63	144
Hip Force	55 lbs.	527 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	51 G’s

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

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the TX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the Atlas. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Atlas ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The TX’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Atlas’ (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the TX’s reliability 40 points higher than the Atlas.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 67 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 132 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Volkswagen is ranked 18th.

Engine

The TX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 more horsepower (275 vs. 269) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TX 500h’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 97 more horsepower (366 vs. 269) and 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 273) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The TX 550h+’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 135 more horsepower (404 vs. 269) than the Atlas’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus TX is faster than the Volkswagen Atlas:

	TX 500h	TX 550h+	Atlas
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	5.2 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.5 sec	13.7 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	104 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the TX running on electricity gets better mileage than the Atlas:

			MPGe
TX
	AWD	550h+ Electric Motors	81 city/70 hwy
Atlas
			MPG
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	SE 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/26 hwy
		SEL 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/25 hwy
		Peak Edition 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/25 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the TX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Atlas:

			MPG
TX
	FWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.5 V6 Hybrid	29 city/28 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/28 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 hwy
Atlas
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/26 hwy
	AWD	SE 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	19 city/26 hwy
		SEL 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/25 hwy
		Peak Edition 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	18 city/25 hwy

The TX 550h+ CVT can travel with zero emissions for 33 miles. The Atlas can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the TX 500h/550h+’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Atlas doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus TX higher (6 out of 10) than the Volkswagen Atlas (4). This means the TX produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Atlas every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The TX 550h+ has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Atlas doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the TX 500h/550h+’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Atlas:

	TX 350	TX 500h/550h+	Atlas
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	15.7 inches	13.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	13.3 inches	12.2 inches

The TX stops much shorter than the Atlas:

	TX	Atlas
60 to 0 MPH	117 feet	139 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the TX has larger tires than the Atlas (255/55R20 vs. 245/60R18).

The TX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Atlas SE/Peak Edition’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the TX has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Atlas SE/Peak Edition. The TX’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line.

Suspension and Handling

The TX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The TX 500h F Sport Performance Luxury handles at .85 G’s, while the Atlas 4Motion pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The TX 500h F Sport Performance Premium executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Atlas SEL 4Motion (27.4 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the TX’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Atlas’ (38 feet vs. 40.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the TX 550h+ Luxury has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Atlas (7.7 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the TX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The TX 500h F Sport Performance Premium’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the Atlas (8 vs. 6.3 inches).

Chassis

The TX F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Atlas doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The TX has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more third row hip room and 2.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Atlas.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the TX’s middle and third row seats recline. The Atlas’ third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The TX’s cargo area provides more volume than the Atlas.

	TX	Atlas
Third Seat Folded	57.4 cubic feet	55.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97 cubic feet	96.6 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Atlas doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 71% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 31st.

Ergonomics

The TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The TX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Atlas does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the TX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The TX Luxury/F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Atlas doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The TX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Atlas has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Lexus TX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Atlas SEL Premium.

The TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the TX offers them optionally in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Atlas doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Lexus TX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volkswagen charges extra for Homelink® on the Atlas.

The TX Premium/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus TX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volkswagen Atlas isn't recommended.

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