2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, redesigned in 2018, presented a stylish yet conservative German aesthetic. Its exterior featured clean lines and a horizontal grille adorned with Volkswagen's new flat logo, connecting the headlights. While the exterior maintained a contemporary appeal, the interior was less impressive, with plain design elements and hard black plastic surfaces. Despite this, the Tiguan offered a digital dashboard and a glass-covered touchscreen infotainment system, which were highlights in an otherwise simple cockpit.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch. This gave it a unique blend of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, appeared tacky. The interior followed VW's minimalist design approach, but the materials felt subpar, with rubbery leather and hard plastics. The color scheme was dark and uninviting, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

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, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offered a snappy throttle response and minimal turbo lag. However, the Tiguan's larger size and weight, ranging from 3,757 to 3,847 pounds, made it less nimble than some competitors. The suspension provided a comfortable ride, but the handling was not particularly sporty.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was harsh, with noticeable wind and tire noise, and the handling was truck-like, with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 model had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder model was limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in practicality, with a second row of seats that could slide up to seven inches, making the third row more usable. The third row, while not spacious, offered enough legroom for shorter adults and children. Front-drive models came with a standard third row, while AWD models offered it as an option. The cargo space was generous, with up to 73.5 cubic feet available in two-row models. The Tiguan's interior felt roomy, with ample hip and shoulder room, and a seating position that enhanced the sense of space.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with excellent front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, the rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded. The interior featured a variety of storage options, including a large center console and a second-row armrest with cupholders. The SE with Technology trim added a foot-activated tailgate for convenience.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB II infotainment system, which was set to be replaced by MIB3 in the following year. The current system was highly regarded, with an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen available on higher trims. The Tiguan offered USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and VW's Digital Cockpit on top trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two infotainment systems: the MIB2 on the base trim and the MIB3 on higher trims. The MIB3 system included an 8-inch touchscreen, multiple-device pairing, and updated voice recognition. The Digital Cockpit was available on SEL models and above, while the SEL Premium added a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit allowed for customizable displays, and analog controls provided ease of use for basic functions.

The 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan improved its standard safety package with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance were reserved for the top SEL trim. The Tiguan was equipped with Car-Net, offering remote access and monitoring features. The IIHS rated it a Top Safety Pick for SEL Premium models with LED headlights, while most models had halogen headlights rated poorly.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received top scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA awarded 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 and lane-keep assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on SEL and higher trims.