2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, which debuted in 2005 and entered its second generation in 2014, received a significant refresh in 2018 that carried over into 2021. This refresh introduced a dual-screen center console, a defining feature of Land Rover interiors. The 2020 model year saw the addition of a plug-in hybrid variant and the availability of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Range Rover Sport offered various trims, including SE, HSE Silver, HST, HSE Dynamic, Autobiography, SVR, and SVR Carbon Edition, each with a range of luxurious features and powerful engines.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, derived from the seven-passenger Atlas, featured a more rakish appearance by removing the third row, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches, and shortening the length by 5.2 inches. Despite these changes, it maintained a roomy interior for five people. The SEL Premium R-Line trim stood out with 21-inch machined-finish wheels, enhancing its bold and upscale look. However, the interior had some drawbacks, such as hard, glossy plastics and unlined storage areas that could produce rattles and scraping noises. The MSRP for the SEL Premium R-Line was $52,495, slightly less than the standard Atlas SEL Premium R-Line.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrains. The base P360 mild-hybrid powertrain, available in the SE and SE Silver Edition, combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured the P400 powertrain, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The HSE Silver Edition also offered plug-in hybrid and diesel options, with the P400e plug-in hybrid generating 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, while the SVR and SVR Carbon Edition had an even more powerful version of this engine, making 575 hp and 516 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds (except the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds).

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options. The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but required premium fuel. The available 3.6-liter V6, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg combined, delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque without needing premium gas. The V6 also had a higher towing capacity of 5,000 pounds compared to the turbo-four's 2,000 pounds. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and VW's 4Motion AWD system available. The 4Motion system offered several driving modes, including Onroad, Snow, Offroad, and Custom Offroad. The V6 engine in the SEL Premium R-Line trim provided a more energetic feel, though it averaged just 19.2 mpg during testing. The suspension tuning was a mixed bag, with a harsh ride at lower speeds and a too-soft feel at higher speeds. Highway driving was where the Atlas Cross Sport excelled, offering a comfortable ride and efficient V6 performance.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, but reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet. Both the first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was best suited for children.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, sharing its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger model, offered an exceptionally roomy interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, and rear side-window sunshades provided additional comfort. The cargo area was generous, with plenty of load-floor space and deep wells for carrying items. Despite the shorter length and lower roofline, the Atlas Cross Sport could easily accommodate full-size suitcases and other luggage.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was dominated by a dual-screen center console. The lower screen controlled climate settings and vehicle functions, while the upper screen housed the infotainment system. Although the system had a learning curve and some bugs in earlier models, it featured Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a real volume button. The lower screen's dials could switch between multiple functions, adding versatility to the system.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came standard with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit and an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L, wireless smartphone charging, and additional USB ports. The upgraded system also offered access to three Car-Net connected service subscription plans, providing features like remote start, emergency assistance, a WiFi hotspot, and natural voice recognition. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which delivered excellent audio quality.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view parking camera, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, and parallel and perpendicular park assist. A head-up display was also available.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. All trims included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, low-speed automatic braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and IQ Drive. IQ Drive combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and included Emergency Assist, which could bring the vehicle to a stop if the driver became unresponsive. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and an Area View 360-degree camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not the highest accolades.