2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge, introduced in 2006, was based on the Ford Fusion sedan platform, offering a car-like ride and spacious cabin. By 2015, the second generation arrived, with a styling update in 2019 that carried over to 2020. Despite the update, the Edge's design felt slightly outdated compared to competitors like Honda and Toyota, which frequently refreshed their models. The Edge's exterior featured angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, reminiscent of the Fusion. Inside, the cabin showed its age with an awkwardly arranged center console and heavy use of hard plastics, though it did offer soft-touch materials and solid fit-and-finish. The Edge was available in SE, SEL, Titanium, and ST trims, each offering a range of features from infotainment systems to driver assistance technologies.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a unique crossover coupe appearance. However, the styling was a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, with some elements like fake exhaust tips appearing tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase. It came with standard LED lighting and various wheel sizes across trims. The interior followed VW's minimalist design, but the materials felt subpar, with hard plastics and rubbery leather detracting from the overall quality. The cabin's dark color scheme and flat-bottom steering wheel added to the lack of a welcoming feel.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided solid low-end acceleration, though it struggled at higher speeds. The Edge's suspension was designed for American roads, offering a smooth yet engaging ride. The sporty Edge ST variant featured a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, with standard AWD. The ST offered a more dynamic driving experience, with heavy steering and excellent cornering, enhanced by a Sport mode and available performance brake package.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was subpar, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed wind and tire noise. Despite its "Sport" name, the Cross Sport handled like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while four-cylinder models were rated for 2,000 pounds. AWD versions included Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Ford Edge excelled in cabin layout, offering a commanding view of the road and ample storage compartments. The second-row provided generous head- and legroom, ensuring comfort without needing to adjust the front seats. The Edge offered 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, surpassing competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano. Higher trims featured a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted competitive interior space, with top-class front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with rear seats in place, expanding to 77.8 cubic feet with seats folded, slightly behind the Honda Passport. The Cross Sport included standard 60/40 split-fold rear seats and a foot-activated tailgate on higher trims. It offered various storage solutions, including a large center console and second-row armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Ford Edge featured the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, with optional voice-activated navigation on higher trims. The Edge also offered a semi-digital instrument panel and optional rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim, and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports and smartphone connectivity. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable display configurations.

The 2020 Ford Edge came with standard safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The SEL trim offered an upgraded Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package with adaptive cruise control and active lane centering. The Edge received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring, with optional adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Cross Sport featured unique systems like Automatic Post-Collision Braking and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims.