2021 Ford Bronco Sport vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a highly anticipated addition to Ford's lineup, serving as a smaller sibling to the iconic Bronco. It drew inspiration from the original 1966-1996 Bronco, offering a modern retro aesthetic that was both rugged and stylish. The Bronco Sport was designed as a unibody crossover, making it more suitable for everyday driving while still being ready for weekend adventures. Its design featured short front and rear overhangs, tall fender wells, and a tucked-in body, all of which contributed to its off-road capabilities. The vehicle's bold white lettering on the grille and tailgate, along with its minimal use of the Ford blue oval, added to its distinctive look. Inside, the Bronco Sport boasted a tastefully rugged interior with an uncluttered design, featuring an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector. The interior trim varied across models, offering options from cloth seats to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was a stylish and sporty SUV that shared its wheelbase with the larger Atlas model but featured a more rakish appearance due to its lower roofline and shorter length. The Atlas Cross Sport's design changes resulted in a bold and upscale look, particularly in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with its 21-inch machined-finish wheels. However, the base SE trim's 18-inch alloy wheels appeared too small for the vehicle's proportions. The Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of paint colors and interior options, with the Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior being particularly striking. Despite its upscale appearance, the interior was marred by the use of hard, glossy plastics, which detracted from the overall quality feel. The Atlas Cross Sport's MSRP was $52,495, slightly less than a similarly equipped standard Atlas, making it a more cost-effective choice for those seeking style.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, the Badlands and First Edition models were equipped with a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It also featured a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On-road, the Bronco Sport was a capable commuter, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more satisfying driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two engine choices: a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and VW's 4Motion all-wheel drive available. The V6 engine offered better towing capacity and a more satisfying driving experience, despite its lower fuel economy. The Atlas Cross Sport's suspension and steering provided a mixed driving experience, with a harsh ride at lower speeds and a softer feel at higher speeds. The vehicle's highway performance was its strong suit, offering a comfortable ride and efficient V6 engine performance.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like a cargo space engineered to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford provided a catalog of over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear. The roof could support up to 150 pounds, and the vehicle's towing capacity varied between 2,000 and 2,200 pounds, depending on the engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table and liftgate floodlamps. The interior offered ample storage compartments, though visibility could be challenging for taller drivers.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger Atlas model, providing an exceptionally roomy interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seating, and a dual-zone climate control system. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, while rear side-window sunshades protected passengers from sunlight. The Atlas Cross Sport's cargo area offered ample space, though the shorter length and lower roofline reduced cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, though many lacked lining, leading to potential rattling.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was equipped with the latest infotainment systems, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Ford+Alexa compatibility. A Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera were available on higher trims. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system offered multiple drive modes, with additional off-road modes on the Badlands and First Edition models. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's base SE trim came with an 8-inch digital cockpit and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch digital cockpit and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration and additional USB ports. The infotainment system provided access to Car-Net connected services, though the user experience could be frustrating. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system. All Bronco Sport models featured all-wheel drive and a terrain management system with built-in traction control and electronic stability control. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of safety features, with more advanced options available on higher trims. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The Atlas Cross Sport's crash-test ratings were favorable, though not the highest from the IIHS or NHTSA.