Differences Among the 2023 Volkswagen SUV Lineup

The Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan, and Taos are among some of Volkswagen’s best models ever. The 2023 versions are efficient, roomy, and protected by the company’s advanced safety systems. Let’s see which model is best for which kind of driver and what each has to offer below.

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All three of these grand, new Volkswagen SUVs have a great deal to offer their driver and passengers, but each comes out ahead of the others in several ways. Here we’ll cover the kinds of drivers that fit the Atlas Cross Sport, Taos, and Tiguan best.

The 2023 VW Atlas Cross Sport

The 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a five-seater SUV packed with features that make it perfect for music lovers and drivers who value safety and user-friendliness above all else. Its audio system can be upgraded to a spectacularly clear Fender premium version with SiriusXM 360L satellite radio and the IQ.Drive cluster of safety features enhances driver safety in incredible ways.

The 2023 VW Tiguan

This Tiguan is an affordable SUV that places a premium on economy of space. It is a compact SUV, but a three-row, seven-seat version. This is a rarity within the industry, as most compact SUVs are limited to two rows and five seats. The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan is known for its exceptionally comfortable interior and smooth ride, so it is best for drivers who have to tackle long commutes regularly.

The 2023 VW Taos

The 2023 Taos is an ultra-responsive powerhouse on the open road. It comes with 4Motion all-wheel-drive, a turbocharged engine, and a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. This Taos is perfect for drivers who want a more compact SUV capable of tackling challenging road and off-road conditions. The 2023 Volkswagen Taos features Snow, On-Road, Off-Road, and Off-Road Custom driving modes, allowing its systems to be reconfigured on the fly in response to changing conditions.

Pricing Comparison (MSRP)

The new Atlas Cross Sport comes in the SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line Black, and SEL Premium R-Line trim levels. This Atlas Cross Sport’s MSRP, or manufacturer-suggested retail price, ranges from $34,460 to $51,625.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Tiguan is available in the S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trim levels. Its MSRP ranges from $29,950 to $37,680.

The 2023 Taos rolls onto the showroom floor in the S, SE, and SEL trim levels. Its MSRPs range from $24,155 to $34,535. This makes the Taos the most affordable of the lot, the Atlas Cross Sport the most heavily equipped, and the Tiguan the ideal combination of affordable and well-equipped.

Interior Comparison

The Atlas Cross Sport for 2023 comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats, but genuine leather upholstery is available. It seats five comfortably and has a cargo area measuring 40.3 cubic feet or 77.8 cubic feet with the rear seating area folded down. It can carry a maximum of 1,393 pounds of cargo.

The Tiguan comes with cloth upholstery and heated front seats. Synthetic and genuine leather upholstery options are available. It seats five to seven people depending on its configuration and has a cargo area measuring 37.6 cubic feet or 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seating folded down. It can carry 1,416 pounds of cargo.

The Taos comes with cloth upholstery, but synthetic and genuine leather upholstery options are available. Heated and ventilated seats are optional on this five-seater SUV. Its cargo area measures 27.9 cubic feet or 65.9 cubic feet with the rear seating area down, and it can carry 1,193 pounds of cargo. The Atlas Cross Sport clearly has the strongest hand in this category.

Exterior Comparison

The 2023 Atlas Cross Sport is 68 inches in height and 196 inches in length. It is available in Platinum Gray Metallic, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Pure White, and Tourmaline Blue Metallic paint colors.

The new Tiguan is 67 inches in height and 186 inches in length. It is available in Pure White, Onyx White, Kings Red Metallic, Atlantic Blue Metallic, Deep Black Pearl, Platinum Gray Metallic, and Pyrite Silver Metallic paint colors.

The 2023 Taos is 65 inches in height and 176 inches in length. It is available in Dusk Blue Metallic, Pure Gray, Kings Red Metallic, Cornflower Blue, Pyrite Silver Metallic, Platinum Gray Metallic, Deep Black Pearl, and Pure White paint colors. The Taos has the best paint color selection, but the Atlas Cross Sport has the most impressive measurements.

Power and Performance Comparison

The 2023 Atlas Cross Sport comes with either a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or a 3.6-liter V-6. The four-cylinder provides 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V-6 grants 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The turbo version gets 21 mpg in town and 25 on the highway, while the V-6 gets 18 mpg in the city and 24 on the open road.

The 2023 Tiguan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder granting 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. It gets 24 mpg in town and 31 mpg on the open road. The 2023 Taos runs with a turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder generating 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It gets 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Atlas Cross Sport has the most power, but the Taos gets the best gas mileage.

Technology Comparison

The 2023 Atlas Cross Sport is available with a 12-speaker premium sound system and a 480-watt amplifier. The 2023 Tiguan is available with a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system and a 400-watt amplifier. The new Taos is available with a Beats premium eight-speaker sound system with a subwoofer. All three come with an eight-inch Discover Media infotainment system. The Altas Cross Sport has the best sound system, but the Taos has superior bass capabilities.

Safety Comparison

All three of these grand SUVs come with the same IQ.Drive safety system cluster because Volkswagen doesn’t believe their drivers’ safety should vary based on the model they choose. It comes with adaptive cruise control, travel assist, emergency forward braking assist, lane keeping assist, rear traffic alert, an active blind spot monitoring system, and emergency assistance. The emergency assist feature detects when the driver is unresponsive or otherwise hindered and brings the vehicle to a stop as needed.

Each of these wonderful SUVs has a lot to offer but cuts ahead of the others in unique ways. Reach out to us at VW of Marion for more information on these impressive 2023 model-year sport utility vehicles.