2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Lexus GX

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 seating. 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, but 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.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX's styling remained coherent, with a tough, aggressive look that appealed to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim. The GX's interior ergonomics, including the upright dashboard and high center console, left little legroom and made the steering wheel feel bus-like.

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 engine feel less powerful. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, providing a more sprightly performance around town. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the Atlas was primarily front-wheel drive, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The V6 engine allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offered various driving modes, including On-road, Snow, Off-road, and Custom Off-road, with additional settings for Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The vehicle's handling was generally good, but it lacked an adaptive damping suspension, leading to some unwanted body motion and impacts on ride quality. Fuel efficiency was rated at 19 mpg in combined driving, with an observed average of 18.7 mpg.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's 5,130-pound weight made its presence felt at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The V8 engine provided a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The GX's ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. The Premium trim lacked the adaptive suspension found in the Luxury trim, making it difficult to fully civilize the ride. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and Crawl Control. The GX had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, despite being smaller than the Atlas, offered a spacious interior. The front seats were large, heated, and ventilated, with numerous power adjustments. The second row was equally comfortable, accommodating 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, especially when the engine's automatic stop/start system engaged. 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 back seat and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best reserved for children. Accessing the third row was challenging due to the second-row seats. The GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than competitors like the Land Rover Discovery. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

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

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. The touchscreen was supplemented by analog controls for most functions, providing a more straightforward interface. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle included additional features like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. The Atlas Cross Sport had not yet been crash-tested, but the larger Atlas performed well in safety tests.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist. The GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.