2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Lexus NX, available in NX 300 and NX 300 F Sport gasoline models, carried forward the brand's signature design elements. The SUV's sharp lines and sculpted exterior gave it a familiar look akin to the smaller Lexus UX and larger RX. Standard features included power-folding mirrors and 17-inch wheels, while the F Sport variant added a sportier touch with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. Inside, the F Sport boasted exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats and optional Circuit Red interior, maintaining Lexus's reputation for excellent material fit and finish. However, the interior design, particularly the gauge cluster and center stack, felt dated compared to competitors with more modern digital displays.

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. Despite its rugged SUV look, the styling was a mix of car-like features, with fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper detracting from its overall aesthetic. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase. It offered standard LED lighting and various wheel sizes across trim levels, with the R-Line adding sportier exterior elements. Inside, the minimalist design was visually appealing but let down by subpar materials, with leather upholstery feeling rubbery and hard plastics prevalent. The interior color scheme was dark and unwelcoming, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Lexus NX was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, allowed the NX to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about seven seconds. While the powertrain could be noisy under hard acceleration, the ride was generally quiet. The NX offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available, allowing up to 50% of torque to be transferred to the rear axle. Fuel economy was decent, with the FWD model achieving 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The NX featured an adaptive-suspension system and three drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—affecting throttle response and steering assist. The NX 300 had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds and a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and an optional 3.6-liter V6. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided livelier acceleration but lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin was noisy. Despite its name, the Cross Sport didn't feel sporty, with significant body roll and loose steering. The V6 model had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder could tow 2,000 pounds. AWD models featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Lexus NX offered a comfortable and upscale interior, with front seats providing ample space for adults and the second row accommodating two adults comfortably. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seats featured a 60/40 split-folding design. However, cargo space was limited, with 17.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The NX included a power liftgate with kick sensor technology and optional power-folding rear seats.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with front and rear legroom near the top of its class. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was generous, with 40.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree recline. The Cross Sport included various storage solutions, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a center console, with SE with Technology trims adding a foot-activated tailgate.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, upgradeable to a 10.3-inch screen with the Navigation package. This package included predictive traffic information and Lexus Enform Destination Assist. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the Lexus system was less user-friendly than competitors. Other features included keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, and a WiFi hotspot. The NX offered a standard eight-speaker audio system, with a Mark Levinson 14-speaker system available. The Lexus Enform Remote app allowed remote control of various vehicle functions, and Enform Services Connect provided maintenance alerts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim and the MIB3 with an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. SEL models and above featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, with a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and SEL Premium models had 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 made basic functions easy to access.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. Optional features included park assist, a surround-view camera, and adaptive headlights. The NX received top "Good" scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and other services, and the NX was backed by a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four-star ratings for frontal and rollover tests. 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, and parking assist. The Cross Sport offered 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, providing automated lane centering and emergency stopping capabilities.