2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

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 length and lower height compared to the larger Atlas, giving it an SUV coupe look. The SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package looked particularly striking with its 21-inch wheels and Pure Gray paint. Inside, the Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme was visually appealing, though closer inspection revealed hard plastics. The design and materials in high-contact areas were well-executed, and ambient lighting added a nice touch.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the same design, with a low roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch. It featured standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim. The R-Line package added sportier exterior styling elements. Inside, the minimalist design was functional but let down by subpar materials, even in the SEL Premium model with leather upholstery. The interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics that were prone to fingerprint smudges. The color scheme was dark and unwelcoming, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place in a non-performance model.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and offered front-wheel drive or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive. The V6 engine provided a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The vehicle featured Active Control with various driving modes and an 8-inch ground clearance. However, the ride quality was on the softer side, and the vehicle averaged 18.7 mpg in combined driving.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport retained the same powertrain options as the 2020 model. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.6-liter VR6 engine offered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The VR6 engine felt livelier but lacked midrange acceleration. The 8-speed automatic transmission was slow to react but could be manually shifted. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin let in wind and tire noise. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 2,000 pounds. The vehicle featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a spacious interior despite being smaller than the Atlas. The front seats were large, heated, and ventilated, with numerous power adjustments. The second row was comfortable for three kids or two adults, with ample legroom and headroom. The vehicle had 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. However, the dual-zone automatic climate control struggled in direct sunlight, especially with 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 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport also offered competitive interior space, with front-seat and rear-seat legroom near the top of the class. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. SE with Technology trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate. The vehicle featured various storage bins, cupholders, and a decent-sized center console.

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, and robust Car-Net connected services. 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 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured two infotainment systems. The base S trim level had the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims had the new MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. SE models and above included additional USB ports and SiriusXM satellite radio. SEL models and above featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, and SEL Premium models added a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit display was a valuable addition, allowing for customizable gauge configurations.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included a comprehensive suite of safety features, even at the base trim level. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had additional features like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. Crash-test results were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in safety tests.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave 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 traffic-sign recognition. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on SEL and higher trim levels. Travel Assist enabled automated lane centering, while Emergency Assist slowed the car to a stop if no control inputs were detected.