Used 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport cost?

Prices have softened 8.58% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,236 listings available, which gives you a healthy pool to compare trims, mileage, and condition.

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport a good car?

Generally — you’re looking at a 4.33/5 user rating and a 5.83/10 expert rating. The model scores 7/10 across Form and function and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its handling, stylish appearance, spacious interior, and comfort, and they also like the technology features that make it easy to live with. The trade-offs are familiar: fuel economy could be better, and some owners mention minor noise complaints.

From a use-case standpoint, this fits you best if you want a midsize crossover with a distinctive shape and a roomy cabin for family duty or long trips. The expert notes also point to a vehicle that’s easy to use, but not especially refined.

Good and great deals account for 35.1% of listings, so there’s still meaningful room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport reliable?

Owners rate it 4.33/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable in everyday use, with praise centered on comfort, handling, and the kind of long-term livability that makes ownership easier to count on. The expert notes also describe it as a practical, easy-to-use crossover with useful tech and a roomy cabin.

Volkswagen includes two years of free scheduled maintenance, which helps soften early ownership costs. For used buyers, the bigger long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about living with the model’s refinement compromises over time.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on ride quality, transmission behavior, and interior condition, since those are the areas most likely to affect your day-to-day satisfaction. It also makes sense to compare trim equipment carefully, because the feature spread is wide.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base S trim gets the older MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while all other trims get the newer MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Lower trims also use 18-inch wheels, while higher trims move up to 20-inch or 21-inch wheels, and the R-Line versions add sportier exterior styling pieces.
• Powertrain: You can choose a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four or an optional 3.6-liter V6, both paired with an eight-speed automatic and start-stop. The four-cylinder is rated at 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 makes 276 hp and 266 lb-ft.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist are available on SEL and higher trims, while adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, parking sensors, and parking assist are optional.
• Infotainment: Base models use a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch screen. Both systems support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and MIB3 adds multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. SEL models and above add a 10-inch Digital Cockpit display, and SEL Premium models add a 12-speaker Fender audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The four-cylinder returns 22 mpg combined with either FWD or AWD. The V6 returns 20 mpg combined with FWD and 19 mpg combined with AWD.

Which 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport trim should I buy?

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is offered in 8 trim levels: S, SE, SE with Technology, SE with Technology R-Line, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium, and SEL Premium R-Line.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, but it’s the least compelling choice if you want the newer infotainment system or a richer feature set. It makes sense only if you’re focused on the lowest possible price and can live with the most basic equipment.
• SE: This is the first trim that gets the newer MIB3 infotainment system and the 8-inch touchscreen, plus added USB and rear-seat charging convenience. It’s the best-value starting point if you want the modern tech upgrade without moving too far up the price ladder.
• SE with Technology: This trim adds 20-inch wheels and more convenience-oriented equipment, making it a stronger all-around pick if you want a more polished feel than the SE.
• SE with Technology R-Line: This version layers on the R-Line appearance treatment, so it’s the choice if you want the sportier look without jumping to the luxury-oriented upper trims.
• SEL: This is where the Cross Sport starts to feel meaningfully more upscale, thanks to the Digital Cockpit and access to more advanced driver-assist tech. It’s a smart step up if you want more everyday sophistication.
• SEL R-Line: Choose this if you want the SEL’s added tech and the sportier exterior styling together.
• SEL Premium: This trim adds the Fender premium audio system and the most upscale cabin presentation short of the top R-Line model. It’s the right pick if you care most about comfort and features.
• SEL Premium R-Line: This is the most fully dressed version, combining the top equipment level with the R-Line appearance package and 21-inch wheels.

Only the higher-level SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium, and SEL Premium R-Line trims get the best headlight ratings; the lower trims are rated marginal for headlights.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep distress pricing.

• Deal availability: 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,236 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.58% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $21,963, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's resale value?

The current average of $21,970 sits slightly below last year's $24,033.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale values to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim desirability rather than broad market momentum alone. Well-equipped versions with cleaner histories should hold up better than basic examples.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.33/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport safe?

The 2021 VW Atlas Cross Sport earned top “Good” scores in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, but with mixed headlight ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a five-star overall rating, with five-star ratings in side crash tests and four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover tests.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Travel Assist and Emergency Assist are available on SEL and higher trims, and Travel Assist adds automated lane centering at speeds up to 95 mph while Emergency Assist can bring the vehicle to a stop if it detects no driver input.

One caveat is that the lower trims’ headlights were rated marginal, so you should pay close attention to lighting equipment if you’re comparing versions. The IIHS also gave the Cross Sport a marginal rating for child-seat anchor ease of use.

Should I buy a 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 35.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.58% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.33/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds MIB3 infotainment and new driver-assist features.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $20,313, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $21,970 average.
• It emphasizes styling and space at a lower entry price.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $24,500, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $21,970 average.
• It adds standard digital instrumentation and broader AWD availability.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, updated tech, and strong shopper interest, the 2021 is the better default choice. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is the value play; if you want the newer equipment and don’t mind paying more, the 2022 is the upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.