2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years, including the addition of Lexus’ spindle grille in 2014 and a textured insert in 2020. The 2021 model didn’t see any new styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior felt dated, with wood trim that resembled molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic, though it did offer standard leather upholstery.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over most of the same sheet metal from the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch. This design gave it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, appeared tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same wheelbase and riding on VW’s MQB platform. It came with standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim level. The interior had a minimalist design but was let down by subpar materials, with hard and shiny plastics that felt cheap and were prone to fingerprint smudges.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX 460’s performance was a throwback to older SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, its 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers and stopping more challenging. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a low-range 4WD system, and several driver aids. It also had a respectable 6,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was poor, with every bump and pothole felt in the cabin, and the handling was truck-like with significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. The Cross Sport also featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but it wasn’t as capable off-road as some competitors.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, making the driving experience feel like operating a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins and cupholders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport also included various storage bins, cupholders, and a large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter for charge ports and phones.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, with a seven-segment display for time and temperature. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, making the system easy to use despite its primitive interface.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim and the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. While the MIB3 system was slow to load and the Fender audio system sounded lo-fi, the Digital Cockpit display provided useful information and the analog controls made basic functions easy to use.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave 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, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, and parking 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, which provided automated lane centering and emergency stopping.