2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, model-specific alloy wheels, and a gloss black roof and mirror caps. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and high-quality design.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was crafted by removing the third row from the standard Atlas, lowering the roofline by 2.3 inches, and shortening the length by 5.2 inches. This resulted in a bold, sporty, and upscale appearance, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The interior was exceptionally roomy for five people, with 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. However, the use of hard, glossy plastic dulled the impression of quality, and the numerous unlined storage areas could produce rattles and scraping noises.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric Recharge model featured a dual-motor setup with 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate 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 quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads, and was capable of one-pedal driving and towing up to 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engines: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 hp and 266 lb-ft. The V6 had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, compared to 2,000 pounds for the turbo-four. Both engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard and 4Motion AWD available. The V6 felt more energetic in the two-row Cross Sport, but the ride quality could be harsh at lower speeds and too soft at higher speeds. The V6 averaged 19.2 mpg during testing, slightly less efficient than the larger Atlas.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had the same passenger and cargo space as the gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger model, resulting in an exceptionally roomy interior for five adults. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The cargo area was spacious, with deep wells for carrying items, though the shorter length and lower roofline reduced cargo space compared to the seven-passenger model.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with OTA update capability. Gasoline models continued with the previous system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Recharge lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob on their person.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came standard with an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch digital cockpit, an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensing, wireless smartphone charging, and more USB ports. The upgraded system offered access to Car-Net connected services, including remote start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, which provided excellent audio quality.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system as standard. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The SEL Premium R-Line trim featured a semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and an Area View 360-degree camera system. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings, though not the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.