2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its rugged origins, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a utilitarian vehicle, it quickly moved upscale, especially with the introduction of a four-door version. By 2021, the Range Rover's price started at $92,000, with the potential to exceed $250,000 when fully equipped with premium options like a $23,500 paint job and $4,500 leather. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design, with hallmark features such as blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, it exuded luxury with its Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a unique crossover coupe appearance. However, the styling was a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, with some elements like fake exhaust tips appearing tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, yet it retained the same wheelbase. Its interior followed VW's minimalist design, but the materials felt subpar, with rubbery leather and hard plastics. The color scheme was dark and unwelcoming, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrains, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel drive system with a two-speed transfer case. The Range Rover excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to its Terrain Response 2 traction control. On the road, it provided a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension that filtered road harshness. However, its steering was slow and syrupy, and it required a more measured approach on winding roads. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 20 mpg, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, offering a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine and an optional 3.6-liter V6 engine. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The test vehicle with the V6 engine and all-wheel drive felt lively off the line, but midrange acceleration was lacking. The ride quality was among the worst in its class, with noticeable bumps and potholes. The Atlas Cross Sport handled like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering. The V6 model had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder model was limited to 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery. However, the second row lacked comfort, with insufficient thigh support and a slouched seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. Front-seat and rear-seat legroom were near the top of the class, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a decent-sized center console.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. The InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, requiring users to familiarize themselves with its features. The dual 10-inch touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems. The base S trim had the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. SEL models and above had the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, and SEL Premium models included a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, which worked well but had slow adaptive cruise control response.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport received 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, and blind-spot monitoring. 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, Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were available on higher trims.