2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. The interior featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, although the center console design was considered bland. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, with the F Sport being the most performance-focused. The RX retained its 2020 design updates, including elongated headlights and a redesigned front end. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The F Sport Appearance package added sportier elements, while the interior boasted standard features like NuLuxe-trimmed seats and power-adjustable front seats, with available upgrades for more luxurious options.

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 aimed to blend SUV ruggedness with car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips, were criticized. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same wheelbase and MQB platform. Standard features included LED exterior lighting and varying wheel sizes depending on the trim level. The interior had a minimalist design but was let down by subpar materials, even in higher trims with leather upholstery. The mix of dark colors and hard plastics did not provide a welcoming feel, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, producing 308 horsepower managed by an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The front-wheel-drive RX 350 was the most fuel-efficient, with an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive and RXL models had slightly lower fuel economy. The RX Hybrid achieved 29-31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The RX offered a comfortable ride with targeted steering, though the F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension and sportier features. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7-7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 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 livelier acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed significant wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport had a 5,000-pound towing capacity with the V6 engine and 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder. All-wheel-drive models featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, though the vehicle's handling was not sporty, with significant body roll and loose steering.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a highly functional SUV with seating for five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h models, and six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid models. Front and second-row seating provided ample space, while the third row was tight. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row version offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with top-class front and rear legroom and above-average front headroom. However, 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 the seats folded, slightly behind the Honda Passport. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. SE with Technology trims added a foot-activated tailgate. The Cross Sport included various storage options, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a large center console.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The infotainment system had a touchpad controller, which was not as refined as competitors' systems and took up center console space. The RX did not offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured 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, pinch-to-zoom screens, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims included additional USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, and a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit display allowed for customizable gauge configurations, and analog controls made basic functions easy to use.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation with Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall and five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0. This suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX had two complete sets of LATCH connectors for child safety seats.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top Good scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. Higher trims received Good headlight ratings, while lower trims were rated Marginal. The Cross Sport also received a Marginal rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the Cross Sport a five-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars 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, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, parking sensors, 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, available on higher trims.