2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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 design gave it a crossover coupe-like appearance, blending SUV ruggedness with car-like features. However, the styling was somewhat awkward, and the fake exhaust tips on the rear bumper of the SEL Premium model looked tacky. The Cross Sport was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, sharing the same wheelbase and platform. It came with standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim level. The R-Line trims added sportier exterior features, including different bumpers and side skirts.

Inside, the Cross Sport had a minimalist design that was visually appealing but let down by subpar materials. Even in the SEL Premium model with leather upholstery and contrast stitching, the interior felt cheap due to the extensive use of hard and shiny plastics. The color scheme was also poorly executed, with dark colors blending together and making the interior feel unwelcoming. The flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L was 11.4 inches longer than the standard two-row Grand Cherokee, accommodating a third row of seats. The wheelbase was also extended by five inches, providing more legroom in the second row and wider rear doors. The extra length and mass blended seamlessly into the body, making the standard Grand Cherokee look truncated. The Grand Cherokee L was introduced first, making the two-row model appear as an afterthought. The design was elegant and unmistakably Jeep, with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims featured black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome, adding to the vehicle's impressive appearance.

The interior of the Grand Cherokee L was luxurious, with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, quilted Nappa leather, and a faux-suede roof. The layout felt premium, reminiscent of a Mercedes, without sharing any parts. Even in an all-black interior, the design had enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated. The lighter tan leather option added a touch of luxury, though it required extra care to keep clean. The Grand Cherokee L's interior was designed for comfort and style, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two powertrain options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four 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 delivered 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine provided better acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The transmission was slow to react, though manual shifting helped.

The ride quality of the Cross Sport was among the worst in its class, with every bump and pothole felt in the cabin. Wind and tire noise were also prominent, and the vehicle handled poorly, with significant body roll and loose steering. The V6 model had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder model was limited to 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a better choice for off-road driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 and a 5.7-liter V8, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 produced 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the V8 delivered 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine struggled with the vehicle's weight, requiring high revs to summon power and producing coarse engine noise. The transmission's early upshifts didn't help, and manual mode was preferred for better control. The V8 engine was a better choice, providing more power and a pleasant sound.

Fuel economy for the V6 was decent, with an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The V8 was less efficient, with estimates of 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis was stellar, with excellent ride composure and steering feel. The optional air suspension provided a comfortable ride, with five ride height settings for different driving conditions. The Grand Cherokee L handled well on rough roads, but all-terrain tires were recommended for off-road driving. The vehicle had a maximum towing capacity of 6,200 pounds for RWD models and 7,200 pounds for 4WD models.

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 sloping roofline, making it uncomfortable for taller passengers. 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 a 14-degree backrest recline. The SE with Technology trim added a foot-activated tailgate.

The Cross Sport had a variety of 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system, known for its simplicity and straightforward graphics. The interface was sleek and sharp, with physical switches for climate, seat climate controls, and stereo functions. The central rotary shifter was easy to use, and there was a large bin for wireless phone charging and a big central cubby under the armrest. The Laredo and Altitude trims came with an 8.4-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument panel, while higher trims featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with the third row accommodating average adults comfortably. Second-row captain's chairs were standard, with a 60/40 split bench seat available as an option. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced the comfort of long journeys. However, the air vents were too small, requiring the fan to be kept on high, which was noisy.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was available with two infotainment systems. The base S trim featured the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had the 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 also featured 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 was activated by pressing a button on the touchscreen. The Digital Cockpit display was a valuable feature, allowing the driver to switch between traditional gauges and text-based configurations. Analog controls made the touchscreen largely unnecessary for basic functions like climate control.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including multiple massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and an Active Driving Assist system. The navigation system could take over the instrument panel, providing a zoomed-in view of the next corner. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless, and two phones could be connected simultaneously. New for 2022, Jeep added an optional 10.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger and dual 10.1-inch touchscreens with Amazon Fire TV for rear-seat passengers.

Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. Higher trims offered additional features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition. The Summit Reserve trim came with a 19-speaker McIntosh stereo, while lower trims had nine-speaker or six-speaker systems.

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 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. Unique to the Cross Sport were the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. New for 2021, Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, trailer sway control, and various driver aids. Higher trims offered additional safety features like automatic parking, front cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitor, and traffic sign recognition.