2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the same sheet metal from the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and an aggressively-raked rear hatch. This design gave it a crossover coupe-like appearance, blending SUV ruggedness with car-like features. However, the styling was somewhat controversial, with elements like the fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper of the SEL Premium test vehicle appearing tacky. The Cross Sport was 5.2 inches shorter and 2.2 inches lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same 117.3-inch wheelbase and riding on VW’s MQB platform.

All Cross Sport models came with standard LED exterior lighting, including headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The trim levels varied in wheel size, from 18-inch alloy wheels on the Atlas S and SE to 21-inch wheels on the SEL R-Line and SEL Premium R-Line. The R-Line trims added sportier exterior styling features, including different front and rear bumpers, a fake rear diffuser, and side skirts. Inside, the Cross Sport featured VW’s minimalist design, which was visually appealing but let down by subpar materials. Even with leather upholstery and contrast stitching in the SEL Premium model, the interior felt cheap due to the extensive use of hard and shiny plastics.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan, on the other hand, was praised for its clean lines and balanced proportions. Some might have found its understated styling boring, but it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic that was expected to age well. The Tiguan was also large for its class, nearly as spacious inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to a long-wheelbase version designed for regions favoring larger vehicles.

The Tiguan’s upsizing resulted in a roomy and accommodating interior, with plenty of space for four people and the option to carry five if necessary. A small third-row seat expanded passenger capacity to seven, though it was best suited for children. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though the engine start button’s placement on the center console was unusual. The cabin’s somber tones were dressed up with shiny detailing, digital instrumentation, and a well-integrated touchscreen infotainment system. However, the Tiguan’s interior had too much hard plastic, and the steering wheel stalks felt flimsy.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and an optional naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and featured start-stop systems for better fuel economy. The turbo-four engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque.

The VR6 engine, combined with AWD, made the test car feel livelier when accelerating from a stop compared to the four-cylinder Atlas seven-seater. However, midrange acceleration was less robust than expected, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was among the worst in a modern crossover, with every bump and pothole making its presence felt. The cabin also let in plenty of wind and tire noise, and the SUV handled like a truck with lots of body roll and loose steering. VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a better choice for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with the 4Motion AWD system available as an option. The powertrain was adequate but suffered from turbocharger lag, making the engine feel breathless during passing maneuvers or when extra power was needed.

The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, according to the EPA. During testing, the AWD model averaged 22.6 mpg. Despite the laggardly response, the Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, refined braking action, and nimble handling. However, the suspension lacked isolation over sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the SUV’s tires gave up grip early in corners. On the highway, the Tiguan was remarkably quiet and composed, making long road trips more enjoyable.

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, while front headroom was above average. However, rear headroom was limited due to the steeply-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. SE with Technology trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate. The Cross Sport also provided a variety of storage options, including cargo nets, cupholders, and storage bins.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors and tall seating hip points for easy entry and exit. The front seats offered a wide range of adjustments for proper support and excellent visibility. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control system were effective. The back seat provided excellent occupant support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for passengers. The Tiguan also offered a large panoramic sunroof and various storage options, though storage space was somewhat limited.

The Tiguan featured a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, allowing owners to carry long items and four passengers simultaneously. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on whether the SUV had the optional third-row seat. Maximum capacity ranged from 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was available with two infotainment systems. The base S trim level featured the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while all other trims got the new MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. 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. SE models and above added more USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster. SEL Premium models included a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The MIB3 system in the test car was slow to load, and the Fender audio system sounded lo-fi. The Digital Cockpit display allowed the driver to switch from traditional gauges to text-based configurations. Analog controls made the touchscreen largely unnecessary for basic functions like climate control.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the next-generation MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim. MIB3 equipped the Tiguan with an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and an expanded offering of features and services, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The voice recognition technology was lacking, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL Premium R-Line got a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

Both the SEL and SEL Premium R-Line featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation, with an understated approach to technology and information display.

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, automatic high beams, parking sensors, and parking assist. The Cross Sport also had standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021 were Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, available on SEL and higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was available starting with SE trim, and lane-keep assist was standard on SEL trim. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan also had a standard reversing camera and optional top-down surround-view vantage point on the SEL Premium R-Line. Car-Net connected services provided additional safety features, including automatic collision notification and Family Guardian alerts. The Tiguan earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.