5901 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
For those in the market for a midsize three-row SUV, the 2024 Volkswagen Atlas is sure to stand out. Before making the plunge and buying one, you may be interested in how it compares to the 2024 Ford Explorer. At Betten Volkswagen, we have been providing high-quality vehicles for years, and are ready to help you check out the competition.
When you are driving, you do not want to feel all the imperfections of the road. The Volkswagen Atlas does an excellent job smoothing out the ride and making bumps practically disappear. Meanwhile, there is an intuitive feel as you drive, the wheels grip the road and the suspension keeps it composed over whatever terrain you may encounter in Grand Rapids. As for the Ford Explorer, although it is a wonderful and solid SUV, the ride quality is not as flawless. There is a bit more rattling and rumbling as you drive compared to the Atlas. Expect a quiet ride in the Atlas as well.
The interior is one of the standouts when it comes to the Atlas. It can be especially hard for tall passengers to find a vehicle that feels comfortable, or for all rows in the vehicle to provide space. The Atlas abounds in this category. Long seat bottoms will secure the vote for drivers with long legs who have often felt left out of design considerations. While families will find an abundance of space, all three rows provide ample legroom and headspace so that you can bring your adult friends with you for a jaunt in Allendale. The Ford Explorer does have room, but it is more suitable for kids in the back rows, rather than grown-ups.
Fold down the seats in the Atlas and use up to 96.6 cubic feet of space, perfect for running errands or helping move boxes around Wyoming, MI. The Ford Explorer offers less with 87.8 cubic feet. The Atlas also comes with Volkswagen's signature and classy style. It feels stylish and deluxe, whereas the Ford Explorer may feel a bit dowdy compared to its European friend.
When it comes to safety, cars are getting safer and safer each year. Both the Explorer and the Atlas come with excellent standard safety features. One feature on the Atlas that truly stands out, though, is the Safety Cage. This feature is built into the structure of the vehicle. It helps to protect passengers in case of a collision in Holland. It allows the front and rear crumple zones to take the energy of a crash and absorb it. Then, the cage distributes this force out and away from the passengers and driver.
When it comes to price, the highest level of trim for the Atlas, the SEL Premium R-Line, rings in at an MSRP of $52,890. This is less than the highest trim level for the Ford Explorer, which is $54,770 MSRP. In fact, the top two level trims for the Ford Explorer come in at over $54,000. For those who are looking for a fully loaded trim to bring home to Kentwood, the Volkswagen Atlas delivers the highest specifications for a lower MSRP.
* Indicates a required field
The Atlas comes with a twelve-inch touchscreen that feels modern and bright. It is easy to read while you are driving and thus helps mitigate multi-tasking by providing navigation and such front and center. The Ford Explorer only has an 8-inch touchscreen.
It is clear that if you are looking for a mid-size SUV that provides a smooth ride, ample space, great safety, and modern technology, the Volkswagen Atlas delivers these in spades. If you are ready to take the next step, visit our dealership today.