2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was offered in a variety of trims, including S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium, with optional Technology and R-Line packages. Its styling was a major selling point, featuring a shorter and lower profile than the larger Atlas, giving it a sleek SUV coupe appearance. The SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package was particularly striking, with large 21-inch wheels and a custom look enhanced by Pure Gray paint. Inside, the Atlas Cross Sport's interior was visually appealing, especially with the Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme. However, closer inspection revealed hard plastics, though the design and materials in high-contact areas were well-executed, and ambient lighting added a nice touch.

The 2021 BMW X5 was known for its high-quality craftsmanship, maintaining the classic BMW design with its signature kidney grille and body shape. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice between xLine and M Sport styling, the latter offering a sportier look with body-color matched trim and high-gloss black accents. Wheel options ranged from 19 to 22 inches, depending on the trim. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, with a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it included a lot of black plastic. M Sport models had unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and exclusive trim strips, adding to the vehicle's sporty appeal.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. However, its 4,103-pound curb weight made the optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, a more appealing choice for many. This engine allowed for a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the vehicle was primarily front-wheel drive, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The Atlas Cross Sport offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual, and had a ground clearance of 8 inches. Despite its size, the vehicle was agile, though it lacked an adaptive damping suspension, which affected ride quality. Fuel efficiency was rated at 19 mpg combined, with an average of 18.7 mpg during testing.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered several powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base model featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, available in rear-wheel drive (sDrive) or all-wheel drive (xDrive). The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M delivered 600 hp, increasing to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offered up to 30 miles of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were less engaging than expected, with steering issues at higher speeds. Fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, and the xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe when using both electricity and gas.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, though smaller than the Atlas, offered a spacious interior. The front seats were large, heated, and ventilated, with numerous power adjustments, providing comfort for long drives. The second row was equally comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom for two adults or three children. The vehicle included rear air-conditioning vents and heated seat cushions. However, the dual-zone automatic climate control system struggled in direct sunlight. Storage space was plentiful, with a large center console, door panel bins, and a glove box. The cargo area offered 40.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders positioned conveniently and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but became hard on longer drives. Heated seats and armrests functioned well. The rear seats were spacious for children and two adults, with an optional third row available. The climate controls were easy to manage, and the split liftgate was fully powered, with a vehicle height adjustment button for easier loading. The X5's cargo area was spacious, though slightly reduced in the xDrive45e model. However, moving cargo and children in and out of the second row was challenging due to narrow door openings.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered three infotainment systems, with the top-trim model featuring an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display. The system included USB-C ports, Bluetooth device pairing, and Car-Net connected services, such as WiFi, remote engine start, and safe teen driving features. The 12-speaker Fender premium sound system provided excellent audio quality. However, the vehicle lacked a natural voice recognition system, requiring the use of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system included a digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, USB ports, navigation, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, massaging seats, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and an automatic post-collision braking system. The SEL Premium R-Line model included additional features like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. The ADAS operated smoothly, though lane assistance was not preferred. Crash-test results were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in safety tests.

The 2021 BMW X5 included standard safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in bright sunlight or rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.