2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2022 Lexus RX

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 wheelbase and riding on VW’s MQB 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 leather upholstery and contrast stitching.

The 2022 Lexus RX continued its modern and sporty design from the 2020 facelift, offering aggressive styling among its competitors. The RX was available in base 350, F Sport, and L trim levels, with a hybrid model also available. The character lines were sharp, and the angular features were eye-catching without being excessive. The F Sport trim added performance-oriented styling elements like 20-inch wheels and unique front and rear bumpers. The interior maintained a luxury appeal with various color combinations and materials, though the center stack felt dated. The RX provided a comfortable ride, but the F Sport seats were less than pleasant, and finding an ideal driving position was challenging.

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 VR6 engine provided better acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the handling was truck-like with significant body roll. The VR6 models had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, while the four-cylinder models could tow 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h added electric motors for a combined output of 308 horsepower. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350 had FWD as standard, with AWD available, while the hybrid was AWD only. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked sporty performance, with unimpressive acceleration and engine noise. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive suspension and other tuning bits, but the drive modes did not significantly change the driving experience. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it suitable for long drives. The RX 350 had an EPA rating of 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the hybrid RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined.

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, 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, which was above average but behind the Honda Passport. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and a 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport included various storage options and a foot-activated tailgate on higher trims.

The 2022 Lexus RX had 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in the two-row version, comfortably fitting four adults. Headroom was 39.4 inches in the front and 39.1 inches in the rear, with 44.1 inches of front legroom and 38.0 inches in the back. The three-row L models had limited cargo space, with only 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row. The standard RX offered 16.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came with two infotainment systems: the MIB2 with a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the base trim and the MIB3 with an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Both systems included USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The MIB3 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 addition, and analog controls made basic functions easy to use.

The 2022 Lexus RX featured an 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were moved closer to the driver but still had ergonomic issues. The screen's placement created access problems, and the touchpad was frustrating to use. The RX offered various tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional personalization options like remote engine start and service scheduling.

The 2021 VW 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, 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 RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ as standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system. Additional standard features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Despite its age, the RX remained competitive in safety.