2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended seamlessly with other compact crossovers, making it difficult to distinguish from its competitors. Despite minor differentiators like the grille and some chromed plastic features, the CR-V's exterior was not its selling point. The color palette was limited, with more vibrant options reserved for higher trims, and the interior offered a modern look with angular seats and optional upscale touches like wood panels and chrome.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport stood out with its bold, sporty, and upscale appearance, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Atlas Cross Sport's design changes, including a lower roofline and shorter length, gave it a distinctive look. However, the interior's hard, glossy plastic detracted from the overall quality impression, and the numerous unlined storage areas could produce rattles and scraping noises.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high performance but offered smooth and steady acceleration with its 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It took about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a predictable driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower. The V6, which did not require premium fuel, provided a more satisfying driving experience and a higher towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and VW's 4Motion all-wheel-drive system was available. The Atlas Cross Sport's ride quality varied, with a harsh urban ride and a softer feel at higher speeds. The V6 engine felt more energetic in the two-row version, but the suspension tuning could be improved for better balance.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's tailgate options varied by trim, with higher trims offering power and hands-free operation. However, roof rails were only standard on the top Touring trim.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport provided exceptional interior space, thanks to its shared dimensions with the larger seven-passenger model. It comfortably accommodated five adults and offered generous rear legroom. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone climate control system. The cargo area was spacious, with additional storage under the load floor, though the shorter length and lower roofline reduced overall cargo capacity compared to the seven-passenger model.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport's base SE trim came with an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additional USB ports. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the user experience with the infotainment system could be frustrating, and the standard voice recognition technology was less effective without the Car-Net WiFi hotspot plan.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. The Honda Sensing system, standard across all trims, included features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring as standard. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and a 360-degree camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings but did not earn the highest accolades from IIHS or NHTSA.