2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim added a blacked-out, honeycomb grille, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and bright 22-inch rims, enhancing its already handsome figure. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were distinctive Volvo features. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint with a blue hue contrasted beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior, emphasizing the vehicle's elegance and craftsmanship.

The XC90's interior was a testament to Volvo's commitment to quality and comfort. The seats, available in leather, aluminum, or carbon-fiber trim, were sculpted to provide exceptional support and comfort, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The rear seats were nearly as comfortable as the front, and the cabin was filled with rich leather and padded materials for both quality and safety. The subtle details, like the Swedish flag tag and the twist-action ignition knob, highlighted the craftsmanship. The vertical touchscreen integrated seamlessly into the dash, maintaining the theme of simplicity and quality.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, offered in a variety of trims, was designed to appeal to those who valued style. It was shorter and lower than the larger Atlas, giving it an SUV coupe look with a steeply angled rear liftgate. The SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package featured machined-finish 21-inch wheels and optional Pure Gray paint, giving it a custom appearance.

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. The design, detailing, and materials in high-contact areas were well done for the segment, and the available ambient lighting added a nice touch. The interior was spacious, with comfortable heated and ventilated leather seats and numerous power adjustments for both the driver and front passenger. The second row was equally comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom, and the rear air-conditioning vents and heated seat cushions added to the comfort.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6 model, with a supercharger in addition to the turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune upgrade boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was unrefined for its price range. The fuel economy was also unimpressive, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined.

The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with an 11.6-kWh battery providing up to 18 gas-free miles. However, the added weight negated the speed benefits, and the fuel economy was not significantly better once the battery depleted. The Polestar upgrade for the T8 was no longer available. The XC90's handling was comfortable and quiet, but it lacked sporty dynamics, with lifeless steering and significant body roll.

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. The optional 3.6-liter V6 engine delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft, providing better performance for the vehicle's weight. The V6 engine allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission with a sport mode, and the Atlas was primarily front-wheel drive, with the option to upgrade to the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system.

The V6 engine was adequate in terms of power and refinement, but the 8-speed automatic transmission had delayed downshifts in normal mode. The 4Motion AWD system allowed some front-wheel slip before transferring power to the rear wheels, and the Active Control system provided various traction control 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 fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg in combined driving, with an average of 18.7 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system initialized faster and responded more quickly than previous models. However, the reliance on the touchscreen for climate controls and other functions was a minor inconvenience. The system was well-organized, but some safety features were buried in menus. The XC90 offered seven seats as standard, with an integrated booster cushion for young children in the second row. The six-seat configuration was available on certain trims, providing generous legroom and comfort in the first and second rows. The third row was tight and suitable for small children only. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded.

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 comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom, and included rear air-conditioning vents and heated seat cushions. The dual-zone automatic climate control system 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 cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet behind the back seat and 77.8 cubic feet with it folded down.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, providing an exceptional audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, but onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could be reskinned but lacked major reconfiguration options compared to competitors.

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, robust Car-Net connected services, and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. 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.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and advanced airbag systems.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included a comprehensive suite of safety features, even on the base trim. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle had additional features like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. The ADAS operated smoothly, but lane assistance was not preferred. Crash-test results for the Atlas Cross Sport were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in tests.