2021 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 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 than rugged terrains.

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 crossover coupe appearance. Despite its SUV ruggedness, the styling included car-like features, such as fake exhaust tips, which appeared tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase. It offered standard LED lighting and various wheel sizes across trim levels, with the R-Line adding sportier styling. The interior followed VW's minimalist design, but the materials felt subpar, with hard plastics and rubbery leather detracting from the overall quality.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a V8 engine in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, delivering 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, 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 ride, but its size made it less agile on tight roads. The rest of the powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both with standard four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, although the Velar lacked a low range for serious off-roading.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.6-liter VR6. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the VR6 delivered 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 harsh, with noticeable bumps and road noise, and the handling was more truck-like than sporty. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 2,000 pounds. The Cross Sport included Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but it wasn't the best choice for off-roading.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. It felt bigger on the road but didn't offer more interior space. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's styling limited headroom and visibility, creating a claustrophobic feel inside. The towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models rated at 5,511 pounds, while the base model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front and rear legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded. The interior included various storage options, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a large center console. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline, with higher trims adding a foot-activated tailgate.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, 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 offered high-quality graphics but was slow to respond. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the base trim and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 12-speaker Fender audio system, and additional USB ports. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable displays, while analog controls provided ease of use for basic functions.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. 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 than competitors, with only lane-keep assist offered.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded 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 parking assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, offering automated lane centering and emergency stopping.