2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen completely overhauled the Tiguan for the 2018 model year, introducing an all-new second generation of its compact crossover SUV. The redesign addressed the original Tiguan’s biggest shortcoming—its diminutive size—and aimed to make it more competitively priced against rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The result was a vehicle that maintained a stylish and conservatively German exterior, but showed some evidence of cost-cutting upon closer inspection.

The Tiguan’s exterior styling was contemporary Volkswagen, featuring clean and simple lines with a horizontal grille connecting the headlights. Inside, however, the design was plain, with dull surfaces and hard black plastic. The cockpit was simple, bordering on boring, though the optional digital dashboard and glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system were highlights.

The Atlas Cross Sport, offered in a variety of trims including S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium, featured a stylish SUV coupe look thanks to its steeply angled rear liftgate. Measuring 5.2 inches shorter in length and 2.2 inches lower in height than the larger Atlas, it sacrificed cargo volume and a third-row seat for a more dynamic appearance. The SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package looked particularly striking with its 21-inch wheels and optional Pure Gray paint.

Inside, the Atlas Cross Sport’s interior looked good at a glance, especially with the Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme. However, closer inspection revealed hard plastics. Despite this, the design, detailing, and materials in high-contact areas were well-executed, and the available ambient lighting added a nice touch.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. This engine drove either the front or all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Tiguan’s curb weight ranged from 3,757 pounds for the front-wheel-drive model to 3,847 pounds for the all-wheel-drive version. The powertrain offered snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag, but passing on the highway with a fully loaded Tiguan required patience.

The Tiguan’s engine was relatively muted, and the cabin was well-insulated from wind noise, making it a quiet highway cruiser. However, road noise could filter through on rough surfaces. The Tiguan’s handling was impacted by its larger size, with a longer wheelbase making it less nimble. The suspension was soft, ensuring a comfortable ride even on rough roads. The drive mode selector allowed for off-road settings, but the steering remained light even in sport mode.

The Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium gas. This engine struggled with the vehicle’s 4,103-pound curb weight. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, offered better performance, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission with a sport mode. The Atlas Cross Sport was primarily front-wheel drive, with an optional 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. The V6 engine provided adequate power and refinement, though the transmission’s delayed downshifts in normal mode were a drawback. The 4Motion system allowed some front-wheel slip before engaging the rear wheels, and Active Control offered various traction settings.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s handling was generally good, with controlled body roll and sticky grip from the 21-inch wheels and tires. However, the suspension was tuned on the soft side, allowing unwanted body motion and impacting ride quality. The vehicle was also thirsty, averaging 18.7 mpg in combined driving.

The Tiguan’s practicality was a strong point, starting with the second row of seats, which could slide up to seven inches fore and aft, making the third row useful. The third row had enough legroom for shorter adults and was cozy for kids. Front-drive Tiguans had the third row as standard, while AWD models were five-seaters with the third row as a $595 option.

The split second-row seats folded flat, providing 65.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row collapsed. Two-row Tiguans offered 73.5 cubic feet of cargo space, more than many compact SUVs but slightly less than the Honda CR-V. The Tiguan’s front seats offered plenty of hip and shoulder room, and the vehicle felt roomy due to its abundant glass and seating position.

The Atlas Cross Sport, though smaller than the Atlas, felt huge inside. The test vehicle featured large heated and ventilated leather seats with numerous power adjustments for both the driver and front passenger. The second row was equally comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom, rear air-conditioning vents, and heated seat cushions.

The dual-zone automatic climate control system struggled in direct sunlight, especially when the engine’s automatic stop/start system engaged. However, outside urban areas, the problem largely disappeared. Storage space was plentiful, and the Atlas Cross Sport offered 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 77.8 cubic feet with it folded down.

The 2020 Tiguan featured Volkswagen’s MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 the following year. The base S trim had a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, while SE and higher trims had an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with bright colors and graphics. The Tiguan S had a single USB-C port, while higher trims had USB-A ports and a wireless charging pad.

VW’s Digital Cockpit, available on top SEL trims, was a fully digital instrument panel that could be customized and reconfigured. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot were standard.

The Atlas Cross Sport offered three different infotainment systems, with the top-trim test vehicle featuring an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display. The system accommodated two Bluetooth device pairings and included robust Car-Net connected services. The 12-speaker Fender premium sound system provided excellent audio quality.

However, the Cross Sport lacked a natural voice recognition system, failing standard prompt tests. Users would need to rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands.

For 2020, the Tiguan’s standard safety package included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assistance and LED headlights with automatic high beams were reserved for the top SEL trim. All models featured Car-Net, a telematics package with remote locking and unlocking, status checks, and vehicle location. The IIHS rated the Tiguan a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights.

The Atlas Cross Sport included a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) even at the base trim level. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had additional features like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. The Lane Assist system prevented lane changes when another vehicle was in the blind spot, and the rear cross-traffic alert system included automatic emergency braking. Crash-test results for the Atlas Cross Sport were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in crash tests.