The SUV market is hotter than ever with families, adventurers, and luxury seekers alike looking for their next perfect ride. Two heavy hitters, Volkswagen and Honda, have rolled out their respective giants: the 2024 Atlas and the 2024 Pilot. While both have generated buzz and boast impressive specs, the Atlas seems to edge ahead in a few key areas. Let’s explore where Volkswagen's offering takes the lead.
- Luxury Touches Straight Out of the Box
One of the most immediate differences between the two SUVs is the wealth of high-end standard features the Atlas brings to its base model. As soon as you step inside, you're greeted with a heated steering wheel, leatherette-trimmed soft-touch dash, and a sophisticated ambience created by its 30-colour ambient lighting system. It's not just about aesthetics, though. Practical luxury is evident in the Atlas’ ventilated front seats and the three-zone Climatronic automatic climate control - a comfort many don't realize they need until they experience it. While the Honda Pilot certainly doesn’t skimp on features, the absence of items like the three-zone climate control and the ventilated front seats in the base model gives the Atlas a clear edge in terms of initial opulence.
- Immersive Infotainment Experience
In today’s digital age, screens matter. The 2024 Atlas offers an expansive 12-inch touchscreen infotainment display paired with a 10.25-inch Volkswagen Digital Cockpit Pro, presenting crisp visuals and a user-friendly interface. The larger screen size not only enhances aesthetics but potentially improves safety by making navigation and options more discernible at a glance. The Honda Pilot's offering begins with a 7-inch touchscreen, moving up to a 9-inch in the EX-L trim. Although size isn’t the sole factor determining a quality infotainment system, the Atlas undoubtedly provides drivers with a larger digital landscape.
- All-Around Driver Assistance from the Get-Go
Safety and assistance technology have become pivotal in modern vehicles, and the Atlas doesn’t disappoint. Every trim level of the Atlas is equipped with the IQ.DRIVE package, a comprehensive suite that includes features like Travel Assist, Front Assist, and even Emergency Assist. This means that from the base model onwards, Atlas drivers have an array of tools at their disposal, ensuring peace of mind on the road. The Honda Pilot, while also emphasizing safety with its Honda Sensing suite, doesn't explicitly state the breadth or availability of these features across all trims.
Wrapping Up
Both the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas and the 2024 Honda Pilot are impressive SUVs, each with its own set of strengths. However, when it comes to luxury touches, infotainment size, and standard driver assistance, the Atlas seems to have a leg up. As always, the best vehicle is the one that fits an individual's unique needs and desires. Still, those leaning towards Volkswagen's offering might find a few more pleasant surprises waiting for them as standard.