2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Buick Enclave

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, characterized by a steeply angled rear liftgate, gave it an SUV coupe look. The Atlas Cross Sport was 5.2 inches shorter in length and 2.2 inches lower in height compared to the larger Atlas, making it a stylish choice for those who didn't need the extra cargo volume or third-row seat. The SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package featured 21-inch machined-finish wheels and optional Pure Gray paint, giving it a custom appearance. Inside, the Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme looked good at a glance, though closer inspection revealed hard plastics. However, the design and materials in high-contact areas were well-executed, and the available ambient lighting added a nice touch.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to Buick's glory days with its big, shiny, and impressive design. It was the largest of Buick's four SUVs, with trims ranging from Preferred to Avenir, priced between $41,000 and $55,000. The Enclave's Avenir trim added extra presence with a unique grille pattern, brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured organic forms, a minimalist approach to controls, and polished accents. The soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather seats added a sense of luxury, though the wood trim was not genuine. The interior was simple, except for the electronic transmission shifter, which required some getting used to.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, producing 235 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm on premium gas. This engine struggled with the vehicle's 4,103-pound curb weight. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine offered 276 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,750 rpm, providing a more spirited driving experience. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the Atlas Cross Sport was available with front-wheel drive or the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The V6 engine allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport featured Active Control with On-road, Snow, Off-road, and Custom Off-road settings, and within the On-road setting, drivers could choose between Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual modes. The vehicle's handling was generally good, though it lacked an adaptive damping suspension, and fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine across all trims, producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The Enclave's V6 engine provided strong acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic transmission delivered smooth shifts. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking at highway speeds. The Enclave's suspension performed well across various driving conditions, and the vehicle achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg combined. With a 21.7-gallon fuel tank, the Enclave could travel up to 460 miles on a full tank.

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. The second row was comfortable for three kids or smaller adults, with ample legroom and headroom. The test vehicle included rear air-conditioning vents and heated seat cushions. However, the dual-zone automatic climate control system struggled in direct sunlight. The Atlas Cross Sport provided 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 77.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering roomy and comfortable seating for six or seven people. The Avenir trim featured a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with a basic massaging function and a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, both heated and ventilated. The second-row captain's chairs were also heated, and the third-row bench seat provided useful space. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered three different infotainment systems, with the top-trim test vehicle featuring an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display. The system included USB-C ports, Bluetooth device pairings, Car-Net connected services, and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the Cross Sport lacked a natural voice recognition system, requiring the use of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response times, good voice recognition, and a simple user interface. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. However, the Enclave's 8-inch touchscreen display was the largest available, and it lacked smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The available rear camera mirror provided a live video view of what was behind the Enclave.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including an automatic post-collision braking system. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle included additional features such as road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. The Lane Assist system and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking were also notable inclusions. Crash-test results for the Atlas Cross Sport were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in safety tests.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were more limited, with advanced systems restricted to higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was only available with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, and other advanced features. However, it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high marks from the IIHS, though its headlight performance was rated as Marginal.