2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. It shared its underpinnings with the Jeep Compass, but its design was distinct, carrying over the subtle refresh from 2019 into 2021. The Renegade's interior was modern and functional, with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, offering easy access to controls. It came in various trims, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each with unique features and equipment.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the same sheet metal from the regular Atlas but with a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. It was 5.2 inches shorter and 2.2 inches lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same 117.3-inch wheelbase. The Cross Sport featured standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes across its trims. Its interior had a minimalist design, but the materials felt subpar, with rubbery leather and hard plastics. The color scheme was dark, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and an upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided more torque and refinement. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with good cornering stability and maneuverability, making it a great city car. The Trailhawk trim, with its terrain management system and off-road capabilities, was the only trim with Jeep's "Trail Rated" designation.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, featuring a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.6-liter VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration and a pleasant sound, but midrange acceleration was lacking. The ride quality was among the worst for a modern crossover, with noticeable bumps and noise. The VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 2,000 pounds. The Cross Sport's AWD versions included Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, which was above average for the subcompact SUV segment. Its tall, boxy design provided ample headroom in both rows, with great front legroom and adequate rear legroom for adults. The Renegade featured various storage solutions, including cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for additional space.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, with its large footprint, was competitive in interior space among two-row midsize crossovers. It offered top-class front and rear legroom, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded, slightly behind the Honda Passport. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport included various storage options, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a center console.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect system, featuring a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and a helpful dock for major functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a Kenwood premium audio system available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the base MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the S trim, and the new MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen on other trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and 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 gauge displays, and analog controls were available for basic functions.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade made several previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. However, the Trailhawk trim lacked emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and parking sensors. The Renegade received a four-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" 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. The Cross Sport also had unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on higher trims.