2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Lexus NX

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 but shared the same wheelbase and platform. It came with standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim level. The interior had a minimalist design but was let down by subpar materials, making it feel cheap despite the leather upholstery and contrast stitching in higher trims.

The 2022 Lexus NX, redesigned and available in four model series, offered a more refined and simplified design. It featured a distinctive spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, providing more passenger and cargo space. The interior was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim added sport-bolstered seats and unique interior features. However, the decluttered dashboard, with many functions integrated into the touchscreen, could be confusing to use initially. The NX also offered a panoramic sunroof and a nature-inspired ambient lighting system in the Luxury trim.

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 VR6 engine with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin was noisy. The Cross Sport had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the VR6 engine and 2,000 pounds with the four-cylinder engine. AWD versions featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the vehicle's handling was truck-like with significant body roll.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered two electrified versions: the NX 350h hybrid with 239 horsepower and the NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid with 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of electric range. The NX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The NX 250 had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, available with FWD or AWD. The NX 350 F Sport had additional driving modes and an adaptive variable sports suspension. The F Sport felt taut and responsive, while the Luxury trim offered a softer ride. The NX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds and had an estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg combined.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover. It had ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom, but rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. The vehicle included various storage options, such as cargo nets, cupholders, and a large center console.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided more interior room for passengers and cargo, though it felt more intimate from the driver’s seat. The front seats were comfortable, especially with heating and ventilation, and the F Sport trim offered better bolstering. Rear-seat passengers had ample space and amenities like air conditioning vents and USB ports. The NX featured a panoramic sunroof and a nature-inspired ambient lighting system in the Luxury trim. Cargo space increased by 14% to 22.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two infotainment systems: the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen for the base trim and the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen for higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The MIB3 system added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, a 10-inch reconfigurable display, and a 12-speaker Fender audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load, and the voice recognition required specific prompts. The Digital Cockpit was a valuable feature, and analog controls made basic functions easy to use.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 9.8-inch touchscreen standard and a 14-inch screen optional. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Assistant technology, and cloud-based features. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available. The new Voice Assistant responded to natural commands, and the Intelligent Assistant added cloud-based navigation and music streaming. The NX also featured User Profiles, a digital key, and a comprehensive head-up display. However, the 14-inch touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top scores in IIHS crash tests but had 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, and parking assist. Unique to the Cross Sport were 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 Lexus NX came with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, Oncoming Vehicle Detection, and Curve Speed Management. The Emergency Driving Stop System brought the vehicle to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. The NX also had standard blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection, adaptive front lighting, and semi-autonomous parking assist. The Vision Package included a panoramic view monitoring system and front cross-traffic alert.