2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 successfully reshaped Volvo's image with its design, adding character while maintaining recognizable Volvo elements. Unlike Lexus, which opted for a radical styling revamp, Volvo retained its traditional boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille. The XC90 featured softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level, with extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90 shared Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with other "90" and "60" series models, ensuring a cohesive design language across the lineup. Inside, the XC90 embraced "Swedish minimalism" with thoughtfully arranged, high-quality materials, including matte-finish wood trim and optional wool upholstery. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a high-end touch to the otherwise restrained interior.

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, giving it a mix of SUV ruggedness and car-like features. 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. All Cross Sport models came with standard LED exterior lighting, and various trim levels offered different wheel sizes and sportier exterior styling features. The interior design was minimalist and functional but let down by subpar materials, even in the higher SEL Premium trim. The leather upholstery felt rubbery, and the abundance of hard and shiny plastic detracted from the overall feel. The multiple dark colors used in the interior didn't provide a welcoming atmosphere, and the flat-bottom steering wheel seemed out of place in a non-performance model.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 engine was turbocharged, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 engine was both turbocharged and supercharged, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, also known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive was optional on the T5 and standard on the T6 and T8. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled to provide flexible performance, especially when relying on electric power alone. The XC90 offered three drive modes—Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power—but Pure mode was only practical at low speeds with gentle acceleration. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and maintained a quiet cabin. Most XC90 models had a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity, with the base FWD T5 rated at 4,000 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 naturally-aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and start-stop systems for better fuel economy. The turbo-four engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the V6 delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine provided livelier acceleration and a pleasant sound but lacked midrange power. The transmission was slow to react, but manual shifting using the shift lever helped. The Cross Sport's ride quality was poor, with every bump and pothole making its presence felt, and the cabin let in plenty of wind and tire noise. The Cross Sport handled like a truck, with significant body roll and loose steering. VR6 models had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, while four-cylinder models were rated to tow 2,000 pounds. AWD versions of the Cross Sport featured Active Control with multiple drive modes and 8 inches of ground clearance, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee was a better choice for off-road use.

The three-row 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom in all three rows were about average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The seats in the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. An optional power moonroof extended across the first two rows, enhancing the spacious feel. Standard four-zone climate control could be augmented with a filtration system. The front seats in the Inscription trim were 10-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, with backrest massage, but the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin and few storage options on the console. Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, near the bottom of the segment. A hands-free power tailgate was available.

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, while front headroom was above average. However, rear headroom was the worst among its competitors 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, above average for the segment but behind the Honda Passport. The second-row seats had a 60/40 split-fold and 14-degree backrest recline. SE with Technology trim levels added a foot-activated tailgate. The Cross Sport featured various cargo nets, cupholders, and storage bins, including a decent-sized center console and a second-row armrest with integrated cupholders. A large, angled cubbyhole ahead of the shifter housed charge ports and could hold most phones without allowing them to slide around.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which emphasized simplicity and functionality. The XC90 came standard with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports were standard. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display (HUD) were available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was easy to use, allowing for tablet-like swiping across menus. The lack of analog controls was not an issue, as the touchscreen worked well and complemented the minimalist interior design. However, the amount of text and typeface used made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the second-row USB-C ports meant drivers with newer phones might not be able to plug in up front.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was sold with two infotainment systems. The base S trim level carried over the MIB2 system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while all other trim levels got 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 added a third (charge-only) USB port, plus two more for rear-seat passengers, along with SiriusXM satellite radio. SEL models and above got the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrument cluster, with a 10-inch reconfigurable display screen, while SEL Premium models added a 12-speaker Fender premium audio system. The MIB3 system was slow to load after starting the car, and the Fender audio system sounded lo-fi. The voice recognition required specific prompts and could only be activated by pressing a button on the touchscreen. The Digital Cockpit display allowed for switching from traditional gauges to text-based configurations, and well-designed analog controls made the touchscreen largely unnecessary for basic functions like climate control.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models, with top “Good” scores in all crash tests. It also received a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing and an “Advanced” rating in vehicle-to-pedestrian testing. Headlights and LATCH child-seat anchors received “Acceptable” ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave all 2021 XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover testing. The XC90 offered more standard safety features than most competitors, including lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering and was one of the best systems of its kind, though it still had limitations.

The 2021 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport earned top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests, but with mixed headlight ratings. Only the higher-level SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL Premium, and SEL Premium R-Line trims earned a “Good” score for headlights, while the rest were rated “Marginal.” The Cross Sport also received a “Marginal” rating for child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Cross Sport a five-star overall rating, with five stars for side crash tests and four stars for frontal and rollover crash tests. 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 had unique features like the Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System. For 2021, the Cross Sport added Travel Assist for automated lane centering and Emergency Assist to slow the car to a stop if no control inputs were detected.