2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received a styling refresh that included new front and rear bumpers, standard LED headlights and taillights, and a new grille shared with the Atlas Cross Sport. These changes added 2.4 inches to the length of the Atlas, giving it a more extroverted look compared to the 2020 model. The R-Line trim package added sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts. Despite these updates, the Atlas still rode on the same MQB platform as before, which is used by most current VW models. The interior of the Atlas took a minimalist approach, with a standard seating configuration of seven seats across three rows. However, the material quality in the mid-level SE with Technology trim was below average, with cheap-feeling plastics and simulated wood and metal trim.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport carried over most of the same sheet metal from the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch. This design made it resemble the "crossover coupes" offered by luxury automakers. The Cross Sport was 5.2 inches shorter and 2.2 inches lower than the seven-seat Atlas, with the same 117.3-inch wheelbase. The interior of the Cross Sport also featured VW's typical minimalist design, but the materials felt subpar. Even with leather upholstery and contrast stitching in the SEL Premium model, the interior felt cheap, with hard and shiny plastics that were vulnerable to fingerprint smudges. The multiple colors used in the interior blended together, making it difficult to distinguish between different pieces.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel, and a 3.6-liter VR6 engine rated at 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD). The AWD system could send power to the rear wheels when needed through an electro-hydraulically-actuated center differential. However, the driving experience with the base 2.0-liter engine and AWD was underwhelming, with rough shifts and poor ride quality. The VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. Fuel economy for the four-cylinder models was 22 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg combined with AWD, while the VR6 models were rated at 19 mpg combined with FWD and 18 mpg combined with AWD.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared the same powertrain options as the seven-seat Atlas, with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and an optional 3.6-liter VR6 engine. The VR6 engine and AWD provided a livelier acceleration experience compared to the four-cylinder Atlas. However, the engine ran out of steam quickly, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was among the worst experienced in a modern crossover, with every bump and pothole making its presence felt. The VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. AWD versions of the Cross Sport also had Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas was designed as a family hauler, offering 96.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. It provided more third-row legroom than most competitors but had the worst second-row legroom among its competitive set. The second-row bench seat was uncomfortable with thin, flat cushions. The Atlas featured a tall driving position, but forward visibility was less than optimal. It had up to five USB ports and an optional wireless charging pad, along with up to 17 cupholders. Ultrasonic parking sensors were standard, with low-speed automatic braking and active park assist available on higher trim levels.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with front-seat and rear-seat legroom near the top of the class. However, rear headroom was the worst among its competitive set due to the steeply-sloping roofline. Cargo space was 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. The Cross Sport also featured a foot-activated tailgate on SE with Technology trim levels. It had a decent-sized center console, a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders, and a large cubbyhole ahead of the shifter for charge ports.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas came with Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility. The base S trim level had a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, while other models had an 8-inch screen. Higher trim levels offered Volkswagen's Digital Cockpit, replacing analog gauges with a 10.3-inch reconfigurable digital display. The Atlas was set to receive VW's new MIBIII infotainment system later in the 2021 model year, which included multi-phone pairing capability, improved voice recognition, and a redesigned navigation system. The base six-speaker audio system sounded decent, with a 12-speaker Fender audio system available on SEL and higher trim levels. A built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot was also new for 2021.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was sold with two infotainment systems. The base S trim level had the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trim levels had the new MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included two 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 had a third USB port, plus two more for rear-seat passengers, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. SEL models and above had the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, while SEL Premium models added a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. The Digital Cockpit display allowed the driver to switch from traditional gauges to text-based configurations.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas received top "good" ratings in all Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests, but with a "marginal" rating for child-seat anchors and mixed headlight ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2020 model a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist available on higher trim levels. The Atlas was set to receive more sophisticated driver aids later in the model year, including Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport also earned top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave the Cross Sport 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 added two new driver-assist features for 2021: Travel Assist and Emergency Assist.