2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch, aligning well with the rest of the Volvo lineup. It featured distinctive “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, unique badging, and model-specific alloy wheels, along with a gloss black roof and mirror caps. It also had a unique rear bumper design due to the absence of exhaust tips and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and upscale design.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared much of its design with the regular Atlas but featured a lower roofline and aggressively-raked rear hatch, giving it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. It was shorter and lower than the seven-seat Atlas, maintaining the same wheelbase. The Cross Sport came with standard LED exterior lighting and various wheel sizes depending on the trim. The R-Line trims added sportier styling elements. Inside, the design was minimalist but marred by subpar materials, with leather upholstery feeling rubbery and an abundance of hard plastics. The color scheme was dark and unwelcoming, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place for a non-performance model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, with a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its powertrain options with the seven-seat Atlas, featuring a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and an optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, both with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo-four produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. The VR6 engine provided lively acceleration from a stop but lacked midrange power, and the transmission was slow to react. The ride quality was poor, with noticeable bumps and potholes, and the cabin allowed wind and tire noise. The VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while the four-cylinder models were rated for 2,000 pounds. AWD versions featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Cross Sport lacked off-road prowess compared to competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models, but it was not particularly spacious. It had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and a smaller cargo area. The frunk was also limited in size. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space against rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated with clever storage solutions, including a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox, and large door bins due to relocated speakers. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered competitive interior space for a two-row midsize crossover, with ample front-seat and rear-seat legroom and above-average front headroom. However, rear headroom was limited due to the sloping roofline. Cargo space was above average, with 40.3 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded. The second-row seats featured a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. SE with Technology trims added a foot-activated tailgate. The interior included various storage options, such as a large center console and a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders, along with a cubbyhole for phones.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, with the ability to sync personal Google accounts. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob present. The gasoline models continued with the previous infotainment system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two infotainment systems. The base S trim had the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while other trims featured the MIB3 system with an 8-inch touchscreen. Both systems included USB-C ports, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and pinch-to-zoom screens. MIB3 added multiple-device pairing and updated voice recognition. Higher trims included 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 allowed for customizable displays, and analog controls made basic functions easy to access.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 gasoline model received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge had not been rated, but Volvo expected it to perform well due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition and Volvo’s Pilot Assist system. The Recharge model had an advanced sensor suite for future driver aid enhancements.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top “Good” scores in IIHS crash tests, with mixed headlight ratings. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The Cross Sport 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, providing automated lane centering and emergency stopping capabilities.