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

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced design, positioned between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover look. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive stance. Inside, the Velar offered a luxurious experience with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments.

In contrast, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, with its SUV coupe styling, was designed to attract attention. It was shorter and lower than the larger Atlas, offering a more dynamic appearance. The SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package featured striking 21-inch wheels and a Pure Gray paint, giving it a custom look. Inside, the Atlas Cross Sport provided a spacious and comfortable environment, though it included some hard plastics. The Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme added a touch of elegance, while ambient lighting enhanced the cabin's appeal.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a significant performance upgrade with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite these impressive figures, it wasn't the fastest in its class. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 247 hp, while a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 was also available, offering 340 hp or 380 hp. The Velar retained its off-road capabilities with features like Terrain Response and All-Terrain Progress Control.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. However, the optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, was more suitable for its 4,103-pound weight. The Atlas Cross Sport featured an 8-speed automatic transmission and offered the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system with Active Control traction settings. While the V6 provided adequate power, the transmission's delayed downshifts were noticeable. The Atlas Cross Sport excelled in braking and steering, though its suspension could benefit from adaptive damping. It offered a choice of driving modes, enhancing its versatility, but its fuel efficiency was a concern, averaging 18.7 mpg.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, it didn't offer more interior space, with competitors like the GLC and X3 providing more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling contributed to a cramped interior feel, and visibility was hindered by the design. Towing capacity was respectable, with the V6 and SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition models rated at 5,511 pounds.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, though smaller than the Atlas, offered a spacious interior. The front seats were large, heated, and ventilated, providing comfort for long drives. The second row accommodated three children or two adults comfortably, with ample legroom and headroom. The dual-zone climate control system struggled in direct sunlight, but storage space was plentiful. The rakish roofline limited cargo space, but it still offered 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens. It included a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system's graphics were high-quality, but response times were slow. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered three infotainment systems, with the top-trim test vehicle featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display. It supported two Bluetooth device pairings and included Car-Net services with WiFi, remote engine start, and more. The 12-speaker Fender sound system provided excellent audio quality. However, the lack of natural voice recognition was a drawback, requiring reliance on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, as low-volume luxury vehicles were not prioritized for testing. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as options. Land Rover's driver-assist tech was less sophisticated compared to competitors, with only lane-keep assist offered.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, even at the base trim level. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle included advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that operated smoothly. Notable features included road-sign recognition, Traffic Jam Assist, and a rear cross-traffic alert system with automatic emergency braking. Crash-test results for the Atlas Cross Sport were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in safety tests.