2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Volvo XC40

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 design 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, boasting large 21-inch wheels and a custom look with Pure Gray paint. Inside, the Atlas Cross Sport had a visually appealing interior with a Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme, though closer inspection revealed some hard plastics. Despite this, the design and materials in high-contact areas were well-executed, and ambient lighting added a touch of sophistication.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling, with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well with Volvo's lineup. It featured distinctive "Thor’s Hammer" LED headlights and an oval grille. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, had unique styling elements like a blanked-off grille and model-specific wheels. It was built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture, designed for both gasoline and electric powertrains. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials like Nappa leather and Nubuck textile. The design was coherent, with elements like a portrait-oriented touchscreen and well-integrated air vents, offering a luxury feel uncommon in this segment.

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, it was agile and had excellent braking, though it was thirsty, averaging 18.7 mpg.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, with the T4 producing 187 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, and the T5 offering 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge had a dual-motor setup, providing 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. The XC40 emphasized comfort and quietness, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. The Recharge also offered one-pedal driving and had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

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 adults, and included rear air-conditioning vents and heated seats. The dual-zone climate control struggled in direct sunlight, but storage space was plentiful, with a large center console, door bins, and a glove box. The cargo area offered 40.3 cubic feet of space, expanding to 77.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, including the Recharge, had less interior space compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. It had less legroom and headroom, and a smaller cargo area. However, Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console and large door bins due to relocated speakers. The storage cubby was well-designed for holding a phone, and a wireless charging pad was optional. The XC40 lacked phone-charging options for rear passengers.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered three infotainment systems, with the top-trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, virtual menu buttons, and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. It supported two Bluetooth device pairings and included Car-Net services like WiFi and remote engine starting. However, it lacked a natural voice recognition system, requiring reliance on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS, with Google Assistant and Google Maps built-in. It included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, but the Google interface was prominent. The Recharge had OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without dealership visits. It also lacked a start button, starting automatically when the driver entered with the key fob.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including standard advanced driving assistance systems and an automatic post-collision braking system. The SEL Premium R-Line trim had additional features like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. Crash-test results were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in tests.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA for the gasoline model. The Recharge had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. The Recharge had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, allowing for future driver aid advancements.