2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator distinguished itself from the Ford Expedition, on which it was based, with unique front and rear styling elements and the Lincoln Embrace lighting system. The SUV featured a lattice-type grille insert, illuminated star logo, and black roof pillars for a wraparound glass appearance. The new Reserve Monochromatic Package added body-color grille and side mirror enhancements with 22-inch black-painted wheels. The test vehicle, a standard-length Navigator Reserve with 4WD, had a price of $92,385 and included the Luxury and Reserve Monochromatic option packages. Inside, the Dark Slate leather interior boasted 30-way Perfect Position front seats, a dashboard with mid-century modern styling cues, and a panoramic glass roof.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over most of the same sheet metal from the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch. This design gave it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though the fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper looked tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, with the same 117.3-inch wheelbase. It came with standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim level. The interior had a minimalist design but was let down by subpar materials, with rubbery-feeling leather and hard plastic. The flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with a single engine choice: a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the SUV offered multiple drive modes tailored to different driving conditions. The Navigator had a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 8,300 pounds with four-wheel drive. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist system made towing easier. The Navigator averaged 16.4 mpg on the testing loop, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg in combined driving. Despite its size, the Navigator's body motion control was excellent, though it felt huge around town.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided livelier acceleration and a nice sound but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin let in wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport had a 5,000-pound towing capacity with the VR6 engine and AWD, while the four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. The SUV had multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance but didn't feel sporty.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator required climbing up into the SUV, but once inside, passengers found plenty of room. The test vehicle's 30-way Perfect Position front seats were exceptionally comfortable, though it took time to find the right settings. The second row offered a choice between a three-person bench or two captain's chairs, with the latter option including a large center console. The third-row seat provided ample legroom and thigh support. Cargo volumes were class-leading, with 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 103.3 cubic feet. The longer Navigator L offered even more cargo space.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport had a large footprint, providing competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. Front-seat and rear-seat legroom were near the top of the class, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, 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 14-degree backrest recline. The SUV included various storage bins, cupholders, and a large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter.

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator's Sync 3 infotainment system was slow to load content, but it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Lincoln Connect services, and wireless device charging. The system's voice recognition worked reasonably well but required specific command pathways. The test vehicle included a 20-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, a surround-view camera system, and a head-up display. The optional Lincoln Play rear-seat entertainment system was not included in the test vehicle.

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

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot360 collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Reserve trim added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Navigator received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the RWD model had a three-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the 2020 model.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars for frontal and rollover crash tests. 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, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, parking sensors, and parking assist. The Cross Sport also had the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims.