2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over much of the same design as the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and an aggressively-raked rear hatch. This gave it a unique blend of SUV ruggedness and car-like features, though some elements, like the fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper, appeared tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same 117.3-inch wheelbase and riding on VW’s MQB platform. Standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes, depending on the trim, added to its visual appeal, while the R-Line trims offered sportier exterior styling.

Inside, the Cross Sport featured VW’s minimalist design, which was visually appealing but let down by subpar materials. Even in the SEL Premium model with leather upholstery, the interior felt cheap due to the extensive use of hard and shiny plastics. The color scheme was also uninspiring, with dark colors blending together and making the interior feel less welcoming. The flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, on the other hand, was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from the original Ioniq. It featured a polished exterior with minimal character lines, giving it a concept car-like appearance. The Parametric Pixel design was a standout, with pixelated elements used extensively in the lighting, creating a futuristic look. The Ioniq 5’s aerodynamic wheels and silver-contrast plastic bits added to its unique design, while the interior was a stark contrast with a low-key, comfortable “Living Space” theme.

The cabin of the Ioniq 5 was available in black, gray, and dark green hues, providing a relaxing environment. The seats were made from sustainable materials, with options for stain-resistant cloth or leatherette upholstery. The interior also featured recycled fibers and bio-materials, emphasizing Hyundai’s commitment to sustainability. The Ioniq 5’s interior design was both functional and comfortable, with features like a moveable center console and a modern take on the retro front bench seat, enhancing its practicality.

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

The Cross Sport’s ride quality was among the worst in its class, 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 significant body roll and loose steering. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the 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 Cross Sport was not well-suited for off-road adventures.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims (SE, SEL, and Limited) and offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The base SE Standard Range model featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor, producing 168 horsepower and offering 220 miles of range. The extended-range models had a larger 168-kW rear motor, delivering 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD variants featured a dual-motor system with a total power output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles.

The Ioniq 5 performed well for a midsize crossover, with RWD providing better dynamics. The AWD Limited trim handled elevation changes and highway straightaways with composure and control. The Ioniq 5 featured four drive modes, including Sport mode, which added excitement but reduced range. Paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative properties, and the vehicle offered a quiet cabin with noise-reducing features like acoustic tires and sound-deadening materials.

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, the steeply-sloping roofline resulted in poor rear headroom, making it uncomfortable for taller passengers. 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 14-degree backrest recline, and higher trims added a foot-activated tailgate.

The Cross Sport provided various storage options, including cargo nets, cupholders, and storage bins. The center console was decently sized, and the second-row armrest had integrated cupholders. A large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter housed charge ports and was big enough to hold most phones.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a longer wheelbase and maximizing interior space and utility. The Ioniq 5 had a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade, measuring 118.1 inches. It offered a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, exceeding the cabin space of competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5 had a passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet, prioritizing passenger comfort over cargo space.

The interior featured soft touch points and a comfortable design with useable spaces throughout. The center console was a moveable island, and the front bench seat allowed for easy entry and exit from either front door. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, providing a pleasant driving and relaxing experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was equipped with two infotainment systems. The base S trim level featured the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while all other trims had 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. The MIB3 system 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 Fender audio system sounded lo-fi. The voice recognition required specific prompts and could only be activated by pressing a button on the touchscreen. The Digital Cockpit display allowed for customizable gauge configurations, and analog controls made the touchscreen largely unnecessary for basic functions.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in 18 minutes and gaining 68 miles of range in 5 minutes with a 350-kW charger. Hyundai partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, compatibility with virtual assistants, and over-the-air updates.

The Ioniq 5 had 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, finished with an anti-glare coating for clear visibility. The screens were elegant and intuitive, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. Higher trims received a “Good” headlight rating, 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 crash 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.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also had Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The system learned the driver’s habits and updated daily, providing a personalized driving experience.

The Ioniq 5 also offered a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, providing information like animated turn-by-turn navigation. However, the HUD could be distracting and required adjustments for optimal visibility. Neither the NHTSA nor IIHS had released crash-safety ratings for the Ioniq 5, but Hyundai’s recent track record suggested high marks were likely.