2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2022 Genesis GV70 showcased a distinctive design that set it apart from its Genesis siblings, despite sharing some styling cues. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, along with a prominent shield-shaped grille. The GV70's sloping roofline and ribbed detailing added a sporty, muscular touch, blending SUV bulk with sleek, car-like elements. The Sport Prestige model further enhanced its character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. Inside, the GV70's interior boasted an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with a minimalistic design that included a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents. The interior offered a variety of color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts in the Sport Prestige model.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport adopted a bold and sporty appearance by removing the third row from the standard Atlas model, lowering the roofline, and shortening the SUV's length. This resulted in a more rakish look, especially in the SEL Premium R-Line trim with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The Atlas Cross Sport's interior was exceptionally roomy, accommodating five adults comfortably, with generous rear legroom. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seating, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, while the cargo area offered ample load-floor real estate, despite the reduced cargo space compared to the seven-passenger model.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The GV70 included features like a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. The Sport+ drive mode further enhanced performance by holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors, and the steering wasn't precise enough for spirited driving. The ride was firm, even in Comfort mode, and the exhaust sound was not particularly pleasant.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine choices: a standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and an available 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine provided a more satisfying performance, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and VW's 4Motion AWD system was available. The Atlas Cross Sport's ride quality varied, with the suspension feeling too firm at lower speeds and too soft at higher speeds. The V6 engine was more efficient on the highway, but the ride could be harsh on imperfect roads. The Cross Sport's suspension kept body roll in check, but the overall float and wallow were unwelcome.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige model were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger seven-passenger model, resulting in an exceptionally roomy interior. It comfortably accommodated five adults, with generous rear legroom. The test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated seating, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system. The panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel, while the cargo area offered ample load-floor real estate, despite the reduced cargo space compared to the seven-passenger model. However, the lack of rubber or fabric lining in storage areas could lead to rattles and scraping noises.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system's tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller added a touch of quality. Higher trim levels offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch head-up display with a 3D effect. The GV70 also featured a digital-key function, a fingerprint scanner for starting the car, and a radar-based rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services provided additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport SE came standard with Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit and an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity-sensing display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and more USB ports. The upgraded infotainment system offered access to Car-Net connected service subscription plans, including remote start and a WiFi hotspot. However, the user experience could be frustrating, and the standard voice recognition technology was limited without the Car-Net WiFi hotspot plan. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-attention monitor. It also featured Highway Driving Assist, which added automated lane centering to adaptive cruise control. The GV70 included eight standard airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. However, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a range of safety features across its trim levels. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a low-speed automatic braking system. The SEL trim featured automatic high-beam LED headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and IQ Drive, which included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. The Atlas Cross Sport received favorable crash-test ratings, though not the highest accolades from the IIHS or NHTSA.