2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a sleek and sophisticated appearance, with only a subtle “P400e” badge distinguishing it from other models. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, preserving the SUV's elegant design. This approach ensured that the vehicle's aesthetics remained appealing, despite the additional cost of the hybrid powertrain.

Inside, the Range Rover Sport PHEV featured high-quality materials that matched its premium price tag. The test vehicle, with nearly $13,000 in options, showcased a stunning Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. The cabin exuded luxury, with comfortable, adjustable front seats and a panoramic glass roof that brightened the interior.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and an aggressively-raked rear hatch. This gave it a unique blend of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, appeared tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, riding on the same MQB platform.

Inside, the Cross Sport offered a minimalist design that was functional but marred by subpar materials. Despite leather upholstery and contrast stitching in the SEL Premium model, the interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics. The color scheme was dark and uninviting, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place in a non-performance vehicle.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a 141-hp electric motor and a 13-kWh battery, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Land Rover claimed an all-electric range of up to 31 miles, but the test vehicle struggled to achieve this, often switching to the gas engine prematurely. Despite this, the SUV averaged 41.9 mpg in EV mode and 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop.

The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. The steering was responsive, and the regenerative brakes worked well, though they were a bit grabby. The SUV retained its off-roading capabilities, with multiple traction settings and the ability to ford 33.4 inches of water. However, recharging the battery was slow, taking up to 14 hours with a standard outlet.

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 engine provided lively acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The transmission was slow to react but could be manually shifted.

The Cross Sport's ride quality was poor, with every bump and pothole felt in the cabin. Wind and tire noise were also prominent. Despite its name, the Cross Sport didn't feel sporty, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 model had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder model could tow 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a better off-road choice.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV had limited cargo space due to the battery placement, reducing the standard 27.5-cubic-foot area behind the back seat. The raised cargo floor made it difficult to secure items. However, the SUV comfortably seated five people, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear passengers. The optional refrigerated center console bin reduced practical storage, but the dual-glove-box design helped.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was generous, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. The SE with Technology trim added a foot-activated tailgate. The interior featured various storage options, including a large center console and a second-row armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, which could be challenging to use. Despite spending time setting it up, the system occasionally behaved unpredictably, with delayed reactions and unexpected displays. The lack of haptic feedback from the touchscreen added to the frustration. While the technology was necessary to manage the vehicle's complexity, it could be confusing and frustrating for drivers.

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, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and pinch-to-zoom screens. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit was a valuable addition, and analog controls made basic functions easy to use.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including a new steering-assist system. However, the SUV's high center of gravity and adaptive air suspension led to head-toss on uneven pavement. The lane-keeping assist system was abrupt, and the steering-assist technology could be aggressive. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's nearly 5,500-pound weight provided a sense of security in collisions.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and traffic-sign recognition. The Cross Sport also had unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, which provided automated lane centering and automatic stopping if the driver was incapacitated.